Free Lunchtime Concerts at Dublin’s Wood Quay Amphitheatre Every Thursday In July
If you’re travelling from the west to Dublin any Thursday in July, bear in mind that the The Wood Quay Summer Sessions return for a fourth year of free concerts at the Wood Quay Amphitheatre near Temple Bar.
Taking place from 1pm to 2pm every Thursday throughout July, the Wood Quay Summer Sessions are the perfect opportunity to gather family, friends and work colleagues and enjoy an hour of live music on your lunchtime.
Every week, music fans will get to experience some incredible live music from up and coming acts, as well as established acts, from across a wide range of genres from trad to RnB, classical to contemporary and jazz to hip-hop.
Founded by Dublin City Council and presented in association with First Music Contact (FMC), Improvised Music Company (IMC), Contemporary Music Centre (CMC) and Music Network, the Wood Quay Summer Sessions are free events that can be enjoyed by music fans of all ages.
Each week will focus on a different genre curated by FMC, IMC, CMC and Music Network. FMC will also co-ordinate the entire event.
In addition to the wonderful music on offer, there’ll also be food stalls on site and giveaways. Dublin’s Near FM90.3 will also broadcast live from the event on all four weeks.
Pictured at the launch are Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe with Ultan O’ Brien and Charlie Mooney.
July 4th presented with First Music Contact
13.00 | Erica-Cody (RnB/pop artist)
13.30 | JyellowL (hip-hop artist / rapper)
July 11th presented with Improvised Music Company
13.00 | Charlie Moon Quartet (jazz guitar quartet)
13.30 | RBG Trio (Redmond, Brady, Gillard)
July 18th presented with Contemporary Music Centre
13.00 | Garth Knox (viola & viola d’amore solo)
13.30 | Garth Knox & Ultan O’Brien
July 25th presented with Music Network
13.00 | Miriam Kaczor and Alec O’Leary (flute/guitar classical duo)
13.30 | Liam O’Connor (fiddle), Sean McKeon (uilleann pipes), John Blake (guitar) (trad ensemble)
ERICA-CODY (July 4th)
Hailing from Dublin, Erica-Cody is an alt-RnB singer, songwriter and producer. Having released her debut EP, Leoness, earlier this year, Erica is one of Ireland’s most exciting rising artists. She has played some of the biggest festivals in Ireland and performed as part of ‘The Story of Hip Hop’ at Electric Picnic collaborating with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, DJ Mo-K, Jess Kavanagh, Jafaris and Mango.
JYELLOWL (July 4th)
Dublin rapper JyellowL is one of the most interesting and intriguing voices on the Irish hip-hop scene. Born of Jamaican and Nigerian parents, he has drawn on all aspects of his background to create a sound and vision that sets him apart. Currently studying politics at UCD, his subject matters explore the social and global problems that intrigue and disturb him.
CHARLIE MOON QUARTET (July 11th)
Charlie Moon (guitar/voice), Darragh Hennessy (piano), Kevin Higgins (bass), Dylan Lynch (drums).
With jazz music in his blood, Charlie is the son of singer Mia Parsons and guitarist Nigel Mooney. Named ‘Rising Star’of jazz by The Irish Times in 2018, Charlie has established himself as one of the most exciting jazz singers and guitarists to emerge this decade.
RBG TRIO (July 11th)
Meilana Gillard (saxophone), Kevin Brady (drums), Dave Redmond (bass).
Ohio-raised saxophonist and composer Meilana Gillard has worked with U.S. icons Charli Persip, Christian McBride and also Greg Osby, who released her debut album Day One in 2009. Completing RBG Trio are Ireland’s most experienced rhythm section. They recently gave a well-received performance at Eurojazz, Mexico.
GARTH KNOX & ULTAN O’BRIEN (July 18th)
Born in Ireland, Garth Knox is a former member of Ensemble InterContemporain and Arditti Quartet. Now a viola and viola d’amore soloist, Garth won the performer prize at the Scottish Awards for New Music 2019. An active composer, his ‘Viola Spaces’ studies were published by Schott. Garth lives in Paris, and gives recitals, concertos and chamber music concerts all over the world.
Ultan O’Brien is a fiddle player, violist and composer from Clare. He studied contemporary and classical music for violin in DIT and Hungary, and holds an M Phil in music composition from TCD. Ultan performs with the bands/ensembles Slow Moving Clouds, Skipper’s Alley, Aon Teanga:Un Çhengey and is involved in a number of duos, including dancer Nic Gareiss. Ultan views collaboration and a collaborative creative-process as key to his artistic practice.
MIRIAM KACZOR & ALEC O’ LEARY (July 25th)
Described by Hotpress as “easily one of Ireland’s most talented and accomplished classical guitarists,” Alec O’Leary is joined by RDS Rising Star flautist Miriam Kaczor for a concert that takes us to France, Italy and Argentina. Sit back, slow down and enjoy gorgeous, summery music including Ibert’s shimmering Entr’acte, Fauré’s famously dreamy Sicilienne and the heady sensuality of tangos by Dyens and Piazzolla.
LIAM O’ CONNOR, SEAN MCKEON & JOHN BLAKE (July 25th)
Fiddler Liam O’Connor, piper Sean McKeon and guitarist John Blake have cast the net far and wide trawling for the joyful selection of melodies featured in this lunchtime session. Expect to hear well-known tunes such as Planxty Davis, Eibhlín Gheal Chiúin and The Drunken Gauger alongside some lively chat to give you a sense of the folklore, history and humour behind the music.
