Mallow Arts Fest announces headliners for 2024

Now in its seventh year, Mallow Arts Festival will return from Wednesday, July 24 to Sunday, July 28.

As is custom, this year’s programme will feature two critically acclaimed headliners, supported by a wide array of arts and cultural activities for all ages to enjoy throughout its five day schedule.

Irish folk singer-songwriter Luka Bloom will play the wonderfully atmospheric St. James’s Church, Mallow on Friday, July 26 at 8pm. Luka Bloom is one of Ireland’s most respected contemporary folk artists, producing over 20 albums since the 1970s. Like many Irish families, then and indeed today, Luka comes from a family of singers and writers, first going on tour with his older brother, Christy Moore, in 1969.

In 1978, Moore released his debut solo album, Treaty Stone. In 1980 he released his second album and in 1982, he released his third album, No Heroes, which contained songs all written by Moore himself.

In 1987, Moore moved to the United States and began performing using the stage name of “Luka Bloom.” Since 2000, Luka has been releasing his own songs and music; 17 independent albums in total, as well as a book of photographs and some lyrics called HOMEPLACE.

In 2022, Luka was singing Wave up to the Shore at home one afternoon. He suddenly realised it was 50 years old. And this resulted in a triple CD of 50 songs from the past 50 years, reworkings of songs written and learned since 1972.

Cork band True Tides will rock The Arches Courtyard Bar in Mallow on Saturday, July 27 at 9pm. Composed of brothers Cian, Conor and Eoghan MacSweeny, True Tides are known for their energetic sound and upbeat live performances backed by sharp-edged pop driven guitars and layered vocal harmonies.

These three brothers have been at the forefront of the Irish music industry for the last number of years. They have been nominated for an RTÉ Choice Music Prize Award and are a familiar name in the top 10 Irish radio charts, with all singles to date playlisted on local and national radio stations across Ireland.

Their lead singer, Cian, regularly collaborates and co-writes with Steve Garrigan of Irish contemporaries Kodaline, chart-topping singer-songwriter and former X-Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan and Danny O’Reilly of legendary Irish band The Coronas.

Following a string of smash hit singles; ‘Beating Heart’, ‘All We Got Is War’ & ‘Falling’ the band recently returned from their ‘Rise Above’ tour which saw them playing to packed out shows across the country.

Tickets for both headlining events are €25.00 and available via Eventbrite or mallowartsfestival.com, booking fees may apply