Daniel at the Cathedral sells out

Daniel O'Donnell's upcoming concert at the Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim has sold out, kicking-starting what organisers believe will be a “groundbreaking year” for the upcoming Drumlinia Music Industry Week, October 20-27.

Now entering its second year, the week-long celebration of music and creative arts has once again attracted a stellar line-up of internationally renowned industry professionals to feature in workshops, incredible performances, and panel discussions.

Founder and organiser of the Drumlinia festival, singer-songwriter Don Mescall, says it has evolved not just as an singular event on a calendar but as an “important platform” for musicians to network, collaborate and showcase their work.

He adds that the inclusion of different musical styles and creative processes such as film making and animation in 2024 is reflective of the festival's evolution and growing reputation for cultural diversity and innovation.

“We're very excited,” says Don of Daniel O'Donnell's sold out cathedral gig.

With almost 1,000 set to attend, the money raised will also bolster the cathedral's long-standing restoration fund. Don suggests that, such is its trajectory, Drumlinia could before long become a key player on the global stage.

“It's already been spoken about nationally,” says Don who describes Daniel as an “incredible artist”.

He's just as excited about welcoming 'working class hero' singer Frances Black when she performs at Cavan Townhall to close out the Drumlinia Music Festival and Industry Week on Sunday, October 27.

Regarding the cathedral concert Don praises the backing of “unsung heroes” Fr Kevin Fay and the Cathedral Choir, headed up by Choir Master Thomas Hanley.

Speaking to the Celt, Choir Master Thomas recognises that Daniel and his band has already performed with some of the the best choirs in the world. He says a lot of work is going on behind the scenes in terms of rehearsals and planning.

“Everyone is really looking forward to it. This is an amazing opportunity for these hugely talented singers to perform with a world renowned star,” says Thomas who studied under Gerard Gillen, one of Ireland's most prominent organists and a Professor of Music at Maynooth University. Along with accompanying the Bailieborough Folk Choir since 1997, Thomas has been Choir Master at Cavan Cathedral since the end of 2019.

Annetta Lovett, with Cavan Arts Office, a key partner in the delivery of Drumlinia Music Industry Week, says the success of the Celine Byrne show last year “opened people's eyes” to the potential of the Cathedral as an arts and cultural events space. “It is such a fantastic venue,” she enthused.

Karina Lynch Charles, another member of the Drumlinia team, notes that it is “all guns blazing” for this year's industry week as a whole, featuring a mix of local talent and visiting artists.

In addition to live performances, Drumlinia hosts several educational events aimed at elevating the scope of burgeoning musicians on the business side of their careers through its Industry Day on Thursday, October 24.

This year’s speakers and tutors include Willie Kavanagh, chairman of IMRA; former MD EMI Records, John Saunderson of Notting Hill Music Group; songwriter Sharon Vaughn, who was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 2019; and theatre, TV and film actor Rex Ryan.

Workshops

Workshops led by industry veterans take place October 25, with the likes of producer Brian Masterson, Windmill Studios Dublin, who has worked with Bruce Springsteen and Lady Gaga; vocalist Bazil Meade (London Community Gospel Choir); film score composer Michele Busdraghi; TV presenters Mary Kennedy; percussionist Lil Lontcheva and classical trumpeter Victor Boyco among others.

Don asks: “Where in the world would you get the likes of Willie Kavanagh, John Saunderson, or even Michele Busdraghi in the same room? It just doesn't happen. These are people with generational experience. What I would have given to spend five minutes in a room with one of those people when I was first starting out as a musician...”

Booking is available through the Cavan Townhall website, and Karina says there has already been plenty of interest.

Listening Rooms

Artists taking part in The Listening Rooms (Saturday, October 26) meanwhile will perform at multiple venues across Cavan, once again turning the county town into a vibrant, buzzing stage for music lovers to explore.

In a new addition, this year's festival hosts a Listening Rooms' concert on Saturday night at Townhall Cavan from 8pm, featuring some of last year’s finalists.

Also new to the programme is Drumlinia Youth with interactive children’s music shows Pstryk! and Rebecca & The Magical Bridge on October 23.

Movie competition

Finally, entries are being sought for the festival's Three Minute Movie competition, with the winner set to receive a day's work experience with the award winning Shinawil, the production house behind hit TV shows such as Dragon's Den, Dancing with the Stars, Home of the Year and more. “It's really exciting because that's going to be part of the Drumlinia Movie Night on Friday, October 25. We have three wonderful independent judges, one of whom is our own Philip Doherty,” explains Karina.

"We will show the top three movies as well as announcing the winner, we'll be in conversation with Philip ahead of what is a homecoming screening of Redemption of a Rogue. We'd really hope that anyone who was involved, from cast to crew and extras can make this, to be part of this big night, because it was released during Covid and we never really got to celebrate Philip or this incredible achievement.”

Afterwards, attendees are invited to Blessing's Bar where NoVendors, the industry day band of choice in 2023, will perform.

Don concludes that he and the team at Drumlinia are “incredibly proud” of the work that has been put into bringing this year's Drumlinia Music Industry Week together.

He reminds that the purpose of the festival is, and always will be, to create opportunity for emerging artists.

“There is no reason we can't have the next Hozier coming from Cavan. I know from speaking with people last year the talent is here,” adding that Drumlinia is happening in Cavan “not in Dublin, not anywhere else".

He concluded: "Not only are we bringing some of the industry's biggest names to Drumlinia but there's a silver thread that connects them all. We're not just picking people at random. Our experts and guests, their individual talent and skills reflects what's being taught right here at Cavan Institute. That remains a very important part of what we continue to do.”