The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
SON set to light up Browne’s this November
ACCLAIMED Clare artist SON, aka Susan O’Neill, will take to the Island Sessions stage in Browne’s Bar on this Saturday night, November 10, at 8pm. SON’s truly phenomenal, husky voice has been compared by Hotpress to those of Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin.
Co-organiser Kate McSweeney sets out her stall on the concept of the ‘sit-down gig’ in Browne’s back bar.
The experiment has been well-received with full attendances on the couple of outings since it was launched during the summer with a sell-out gig by Mick Flannery and Jeffrey Martin.
Susan O’Neill, having toured with big festival bands such as King Kong Company over the past few years, has released her debut solo album, ‘Found Myself Lost’, earlier this year.
SON has supported massive artists such as Lisa Hannigan and Paul Brady and will tour Australia with Sharon Shannon early next year.
“The concept of The Island Sessions celebrates the musician in an intimate setting with great sound and provides the opportunity to listen to the stories behind the songs they have written and to hear them being performed in a stripped-back form,” said Kate.
The first two Island Session gigs with Mick Flannery and Mundy were really special and Browne’s is proving to be a really fantastic venue, praised by both patron and performer. Having played his first gig in Browne’s last August, Mundy took to twitter the following morning commenting on the “great spirit in the room” – that kind of thing cannot be manufactured and luckily this venue seems to have it!
“This kind of gig provides a great alternative night out in Castleisland,” Kat said. “The gigs generally begin at 8pm in the evening, they provide us with reason to carve time out of busy schedules and relax with a glass of vino or cool beer in hand.
“They provide the perfect opportunity to grab a bite to eat pre-gig and head for our local taverns straight afterwards, inspired by the sounds just heard. Already we see out-of-towners purchasing their tickets online for Island Session gigs, which is a testament to the quality of the acts and the special atmosphere in Browne’s.
“People will travel here, socialise in our public houses, eat in our restaurants and join us in a celebration of the music...Also, we’re very excited to announce that the legend Paddy Casey will be playing the Island Sessions on Saturday, December 1, just in time to kick off festivities in Castleisland.
Tickets for this Paddy Casey night will go on sale at the SON gig on November 10, and the remainder, if any, will be available online the following day.