Arts 2024 highlights: Megan de Siún

Megan de Siún

Social Activist - IPSC Cavan

Best County Cavan arts event: Gig for Gaza - 23rd November 2024 at Blessings Bar. It was wonderful to see so many people come together for such an important cause.

The atmosphere of the night topped any other local arts experience I have had this year, it highlighted both how much incredible talent is in the county, but also the strength of character and principles of the people who live and work here.

One to watch: I was really impressed with Indigo's Ego, a newly formed originals band with some familiar faces. Eagerly awaiting a Spotify drop and a next gig announcement!

Best film: Kneecap! Hilarious, poignant, warts-and-all call to action for young Irish people to be proud of their language and culture, and to fight like hell for their art.

Best book: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler was my favourite book this year by a mile. Written in 1993 and set in 2025, it chronicles a dystopian US where water shortages, skyrocketing drug abuse and political unrest have destabilised society and forces people to make dreadful choices to survive. Couldn't put it down, 10/10.

Best music: I spent a lot of this year listening to The Last Dinner Party, their debut album Prelude to Ecstasy was a smash and very seasoned for such a new band. They sound like Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac, Florence and the Machine, and Siouxsie Sioux had a musical baby.

Best podcast: Somebody knows Something is true crime podcast, and what I love about it is that the host is actively investigating cold cases in real time each episode. What they have achieved (no spoilers) shows what is possible with a platform and resources.