Other Voices line-up beginning to take shape

IT’S less than one month until the 16th edition of the famous eir Other Voices Festival lights up Dingle, and organisers have announced the first batch of acts that will form part of the December 1 - 3 line-up.

In more recent years, organisers have brought events to locations such as Derry, Berlin, New York, and the Electric Picnic Festivals, but the initiative’s spiritual home remains the west Kerry town in which it began, and the size and quality of this December’s offerings are indicative of this.

Aside from the renowned performances in the intimate St James’ Church off Main Street, there will be over 70 free events on offer across 13 venues in the town.

“You can seek out new sounds, from the percussive assault of RSAG, to the soaring funk, soul of Loah, the sublime, crystal pop of Elm and the driving indietronic beats of Columbia Mills,” promoter Aileen Galvin said.

“You can also discover the alt-rock of Other Creatures, alongside the soul soaked R’n’B joy of Super Silly, the ethereal sounds of Come On Live Long and the hook-laden musings of Waldorf and Cannon.

“MC and DJ Music Trail sets will include turns by Kerry’s finest Cian Ó Cíobháin, the urban grime of Mango and MathMan and the house-loaded sonics of R. Kitt,” she added.

Maria Kelly was also named as winner of the ‘Listener’s Choice’ in recent days, and she will play in the IMRO Other Room during the festival.

More music acts will be announced in the coming weeks, while Foxy John’s Bar on upper Main Street is preparing to host diverse guests and talking points from the likes of playwright Enda Walsh, Rough Trade Records with Geoff Travis and many more as part of the December 2 and 3 ‘Banter’ line-up.

“Those planning to travel to the eir Other Voices Festival should register at www. othervoices.ie to receive tickets that can be exchanged for Festival wristbands in Dingle,” Aileen said. “Gigs in some of the Music Trail venues will only be accessible to those who have registered and collected a Festival wristband. Registration for wristbands is free and all events at the eir Other Voices Festival are free but subject to capacity.” Further information is available at www.othervoices.ie.

Photo by Declan Malone. Eager fans gathering outside St James’ Church in Dingle at a previous staging of Other Voices.