That Friday Feeling:
We have that Friday feeling after a chaotic festival season. It’s Pride weekend here in the city as we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. The flags will be flying for the parade on Saturday and in the meantime, we have your regular round up of exciting live music events here in the city of the tribes. It’s a technicolour rainbow of original music, thumping DJ sets and ‘80s madness. Read on to find out more.
Monroe’s Live
8pm: Soulful Pop with Caoí de Barra
Not many artists can say they are embarking on a solo tour around Ireland on a trusty 125cc scooter. And yet Bray reared, Berlin based singer-songwriter Caoí de Barra is doing just that, following appearances with Grammy-nominated Allison Russell at Glastonbury.
She is set to park her two wheels at Monroe’s Live on Friday, August 11th at 8pm to bring her soulful music, combined with a dash of folk and pop, to Galway as she blends influences from iconic artists such as Jeff Buckley and Joni Mitchell.
Best known as a member of the acclaimed alternative-pop trio, Wyvern Lingo, Caoí is making waves in the music scene in her own right following the release of her debut EP, Thicket last year.
Her delicate pop song, Treehouse, is a summer-bop with a petulant heart, as she captures the disillusionment of the housing crisis and how it leaves so many in a perpetual state of adolescence. She will be joined on the night by Holland’s acclaimed electro-pop duo, twin sisters Nina and Laura Philips, of the band ATKD.
Join Caoí de Barra with support by ATKD at the intimate setting of Monroe’s Live for a female led, introspective and melodically captivating evening of music on Friday, August 11th at 8pm. Tickets cost €15 and are available from www.monroes.ie.
11pm: Whiplash at Monroe’s Live
The hard heavy metal sounds of Metallica will rock Monroe’s Live on Friday, August 11th as Ireland’s leading tribute band, Whiplash take to the stage. Hailing from Galway, Whiplash will bring the vibrant tempos, fast instrumentals and aggressive rhythms that have made the American thrash metal group one of the most successful and influential worldwide.
With an extensive repertoire that spans across all eras of Metallica, Whiplash cover a wide range of classics, including beloved tracks like One, Master of Puppets, Enter Sandman, Blackened, Fade To Black, and Seek and Destroy.
This diverse selection allows a west of Ireland audience to revel in the rich legacy of Metallica’s roaring sound at the award winning venue. It’s a chance to relive the electric energy and powerful music that has made Metallica one of the greatest artists of all time.
Comprising of Martyn Weesjes, John Cullen, Brendan Kenny and Niall O’Hare, Whiplash are fans first and foremost, displaying an unwavering dedication to their craft with their genuine passion for Metallica’s music.
“We all grew up listening to rock music and Metallica had a huge impact on all of us individually growing up,” explains Martyn, “with the heavy and thrash metal sound of their earlier albums along with their beautiful clean sounds, interludes, epic song structures and arrangements, and with the well written lyrics, it blew us away.”
Tickets to Whiplash at Monroe’s Live on Friday, August 11th at 11pm cost €10 and are available from http://www.monroes.ie.
Róísín Dubh
9pm: Mother
From their weekly sold out shows in Dublin to their now infamous festival sets at Electric Picnic, Body and Soul and of course their own Pride Block Party, the Mother DJs are returning for their annual queer rendezvous with the Róisín. Join Mother DJs Ruth Kavanagh and Ghostboy for an epic b2b set in the main room and DJ Kate Brennan-Harding upstairs all night long. Mother is a queer space, a safe place for LGBTQ+ folk and friends.
The Skeff Late Bar and Kitchen
10pm: The CEO’s
East Galway band The CEOs will entertain the crowds at the Skeff Late Bar in the heart of Eyre Square. With the strum of acoustic guitars and the rhythm of percussion, this high energy group will take you through stomping hits and chart toppers in their own inimitable style. A regular on the music circuit, this band are set to rock. Hailing from Loughrea, this three-piece are garnering a strong base with every gig and are certain to keep you on the dance floor this Friday night at the Skeff Late Bar. Afterwards, join DJ Dave G until late.
The Quays Music Hall
11pm: Fever 105 ‘80s Tribute Band
This Friday night, Fever 105 will take to the famous stage at the Quays Music Hall in the heart of Galway’s Latin Quarter. Relive the best of the ‘80s rock and power ballads with this incredible five-piece tribute band. It’s set to be the ultimate throwback event, as the talented Fever 105 provides the soundtrack of the decade, bringing the best of ‘80s hits and party anthems to the floor. This will be a night to relive the era that brought synth-pop and electronica to life, championing international icons such as Whitney Houston, Culture Club, Phil Collins, Wham and The Police. Throw on your legwarmers, grab the glow sticks and enjoy the best of ‘80s with a dedicated live band.
DNA Nightclub
11pm: Urban Friday
Mayfair are back in Galway for another unbelievable Urban Friday at DNA Nightclub in the heart of the city centre, featuring DJ Ahmed, Dacosta and MC Sika. Expect nothing but the best of Hip Hop, Afrobeats and Amapiano. Not only that, DJ Aodan F will be rocking The Basement with nothing but the best of commercial hits, throwbacks and cheese. Expect an electrifying night of rhythm and revelry, with the promise of an eclectic blend of genres that will surely set the dance floor ablaze. As Galway pulses with excitement and the city’s nightlife takes on a new level of energy, Mayfair’s return to DNA Nightclub is a resounding invitation to be part of an experience that encapsulates the essence of urban.
