Spillane brings ‘heart and soul’ of music to Cavan

Cork singer-songwriter John Spillane will reaquaint himself with Cavan this week as he plays the Townhall Theatre.

Spillane is no stranger to Cavan as he made a brief cameo appearance on the Townhall stage not two months ago as a guest of his musical buddy Lisa O’Neill. Lisa was launching her latest critically acclaimed album, but budged over to sing along on Spillane’s classic ‘Passage West’ and ‘Near Cootehill Town’.

The latter is a song the Cork man wrote on a five day sojourn to Smith’s Bar when filming with TG4. It’s a rare talent to write songs that sound and feel like they were penned over a century ago, yet retain an authenticity. That’s what Spillane brings to the stage.

Rooted in people, place and story, his music captivates audiences around the world. His crafted lyrics are tinged with everything from melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour.

It’s probably why Damien Dempsey is quoted as saying: “John’s songs are the heart and soul of our island and they’ll be sung around the world for as long as there is song.”

His vocal style has a unique, almost sean-nós like quality and his performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs. The two Meteor Awards sitting on a shelf in his Cork house for Best Folk/Trad act are testimony to his gift. In short, he’s worth catching.

John Spillane plays the Townhall Theatre Cavan on Friday, April 7. Doors 7.30pm; show 8pm. For tickets see: www.townhallcavan.com or box office: 049 4380 494.