Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Women’s Work.. Festival highlights that are worth making a date for
An introduction by local broadcaster and band manager AINE CRONIN-MCCARTNEY
It’s back! After a strange few years Women’s Work Festival is returning to its full grandeur with a packed lineup of events including gigs, panels, walking tours, screenings, talks and everything that you could possibly want from any sort of cultural celebration.
Running from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5, 2022 (aka next weekend) and in its sixth iteration – the festival has become a well-positioned medley of happenings helping to usher in a summer of live music across Belfast.
Initially launched in 2016, Women’s Work quickly became full of welcome embraces and accessible opportunities – while also leading the charge by putting women at the heart of each event.
Alongside some of the splendid nights out listed below – check out a very special event hosted by Safe in Sound and Three’s Theatre Company – ‘I Believe Her’ will be a night of audio experience, discussion, and music.
Given the recent announcement that representation for women and nonbinary performers at festivals is massively disproportionate – events such as Women’s Work should be the norm and not the exception.
By creating spaces and opportunities to showcase and support the incredible breadth of talent that exists across NI, Women’s Work is proving that not only should gender balance be a priority - but also how easy it is to achieve.
With a sense of community and openness at its core, the festival has helped to empower women to take the lead in shaping their own careers by providing advice, signposting and encouraging discussion. For any community to truly thrive and grow, inclusivity and understanding should be fundamental and that is exactly what Women’s Work and all its many contributors, festival goers and supporters have created. Big ups to the Oh Yeah Centre and anyone else who plays a role in making it such a massive success.
Classic Album Revisited: A Woman’s Heart (Oh Yeah Centre Thursday, June 2, 7pm) leapt out from the varied programme. I remember this compilation album fondly, played as it was on a loop in my house when I was young. Mary Black’s voice in particular stood out – while Frances Black, Sharon Shannon and Eleanor Mcevoy also helped introduce me to a world of female fronted folk and trad. The entire album will be revisited with performances from a new generation of singers and musicians including Ciara O’neill, (inset) New Pagans and Brigid O’neill.
On the same evening just round the corner at The Black Box, New Pagans will make a triumphant homecoming of sorts – having spent a significant chunk of early 2022 touring Europe with rock legends
Skunk Anansie. The five piece are – for my money – the finest live act in the country at the moment – partially down to their naturally charismatic and engaging singer Lyndsey Mcdougall and partially to the fact all of their songs…well, they kick ass. Big riffs, bigger choruses – always rebellious and anthemic.
If you make it through those shows, Friday lunchtime is to be spent learning the cultural history of Belfast – and why it was credited as a UNESCO City of Music – via a walking tour (beginning at The Ulster Hall, 1pm). The tour – hosted by Dolores – a Green Badge tourist guide (and huge muso) – promises to teach us about the key figures in the scene here throughout the decades, why certain venues are held in such high esteem and where (and why) the memorable moments in this cities music history took place. There’ll also be some live music along the way, natch.
Next up – later that evening – is Women In The Shadows (Oh Yeah Centre, 7pm), billed as a show promising to place front and centre the inspirational women who’d been undeservedly cast in a supporting role. Duke Special, Alica La and Rachel Mccarthy are amongst the performers who’ll be talking about and paying musical triubute to the women who’ve blessed them with true inspiration.
All roads lead to The Women’s Work Showcase on Saturday (Oh Yeah Centre, 7pm) however – an unmissable beginners guide to the most exciting new music from Northern Ireland. No less than a ridiculous ten acts will take to the stage - collectively illustrating not just the wealth of talent here, but the utterly un-categorisable sound of Northern Irish music.
Slightly unfair to single out acts, but punk trio Cherym are one of the most talked about bands in the country, Problem Patterns are always a punk rock riot on stage while Girl For Sale is very new but very promising. But hey – with ten acts, you’ll find your new favourite band for sure. And that – after all – is the point!