How It’s New York: SongLives is a series at the Irish Arts Center that brings the richness of the busking tradition of Dublin’s Grafton Street to New York City featuring some of Ireland’s best contemporary songwriters. It’s curated by singer/songwriter Susan McKeown. We’ve covered some of their concerts: Here’s our coverage of Michael Brunnock and Brendan O’Shea from last spring, a podcast with clips from musicians, and our overview of the series.Video!
How It’s Irish: SongLives on September 28 features Ireland’s Wallis Bird, a double Meteor Award-winner (that’s the Irish Grammys) and Niall Connolly, the founding member of New York’s Big City Collective.
Friday, September 28 | 8pm
Wallis Bird and Niall Connolly
Wallis Bird and Niall Connolly
“The sheer visceral energy of Wallis Bird could kick-start an entire economy.”
– THE IRISH TIMES
Appearing at the Irish Arts Center in her New York debut, Wallis Bird is a double Meteor Award-winner in her native Ireland. An exceptional guitarist, her self-affirming songs display an unusual emotional breadth that defies categorization. Bird’s new self-titled album is her third and follows Spoons (2007) and New Boots (2009) which saw her garner critical acclaim and tour with the likes of Billy Bragg, Gabrielle, The Feeling and Rodrigo y Gabriela.
“Niall Connolly writes literate songs rich in graphic detail, better still he writes convincingly from his own experience and his heart. We don’t have enough like him.”
– HOT PRESS
– HOT PRESS
A founding member of Big City Folk Collective, Niall Connolly is a compelling live performer whose lyrics confirm the well-honed craft of an honest and watchful storyteller. His songs spiral through time from the marshy landscapes of Cork, Ireland to the overspill of the modern metropolis. Connolly’s songs have been covered by more than 20 acts worldwide. He is currently working on his sixth studio album.
Admission: $18 non-member / $15 member
irishartscenter.org or 866-811-4111
Irish Arts Center | 553 West 51st Street, New York City | www.irishartscenter.org
