Time | Name/Description | Genre | Tickets | Get Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
27th October | ||||
12pm |  Patrick Stefan | FREE GIGCafé Victor, John F Kennedy Parade – Fri October 27th, 12pm Patrick Stefan is an award-winning Irish/Dutch songwriter from Co. Clare & Dublin. In 2023 Patrick sold out his album release show Wayfare (digitally released in late 2022) an urban-folk document of Patrick’s travels from Scandinavia, Brazil, to west Africa and back home. | Urban Folk | Free | |
3pm |  Level Best | FREE GIGSligo Bus Station, Lord Edward St – Fri October 27th, 3pm From the East Coast of the USA comes Level Best. Formed five years ago, they are a group of five veteran players who have been delighting audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Level Best’s instrumental work has the soulful polish earned with years of playing bluegrass and country music. But bluegrass is all about the singing, and this is a singing band. Everyone takes turns singing lead or harmony, which makes for a rich array of vocal colours. They have unique repertoire of country and bluegrass gems and are delighted to be making their first appearance at Sligo Live. | Bluegrass | Free | |
4:30pm |  Dave Clancy | FREE GIGWalker 1781, O’Connell St – Fri October 27th, 4:30pm Sometimes songs come along that sound both familiar and new, and Dave Clancy is a songwriter with that elusive gift. Dave released his debut album “The Path” in December 2020. The Path was featured album of the week on The Late Show with Eve Blair on BBC Radio Ulster. Dave is currently working on his second full-length album for release at the end of 2023, as well as continuing his work as a frequent collaborator and supportive musician with others such as The Whileaways and Pauline Scanlon in their Leonard Cohen project Bird on a Wire. | Folk | Free | |
6pm |  Evie | FREE GIGFlipside, Rockwood Parade – Fri October 27th, 6pm Evie is alt-folk with a twist. Her debut EP ‘Since the Fire,’ earns nods for an awkward, but delicate take on songwriting. At 22, Evie is happy to be the haunted house of the Irish music scene, drawing on influences such as Radiohead, Lisa Hannigan and Phoebe Bridgers. As Hot Press writes, “seeing an artist know herself and her sound this early on was remarkable to watch.” | Alt-Folk | Free | |
8pm |  Niall McCabeHawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – Fri October 27th, 8pm Having earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest singers and songwriters Niall McCabe has performed extensively with his Folk-Soul group The Niall McCabe Band over the past decade. With strong musical influences from traditional Irish and folk to rock and soul. | €21.00 + s.c. | ||
Time | Name/Description | Genre | Tickets | Get Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
28th October | ||||
11am |  Amble | FREE GIGLyon’s Café, Quay St. – Sat October 28th, 11am Amble are a 3 piece contemporary folk based ensemble formed over a mutual grá for the music they curate Hailing from the midlands and west of Ireland, the three men have already gained a strong core following from playing intimate live gigs and through previous individual musical endeavours | Contemporary Folk | Free | |
12pm |  John Francis O’Mara | FREE GIGWB’s Coffee House, Stephen St – Sat October 28th, 12pm Americana / Folk-Rock artist John Francis O’Mara the recipient of two national songwriting awards from ASCAP. He has performed upon invitation for the United Nations summit toward eradicating poverty. He has given concerts in arenas and in subway stations, in cathedrals and pubs, at protests and in prisons. | Americana | Free | |
1pm |  Sandy Kelly in conversation with Tommie Gorman FREE GIGHawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – Sat October 28th, 1pm Sandy Kelly is one of Ireland’s most successful singers. Her awards and achievements include representing Ireland in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, winning the European Gold Star Award for country music in 1984. Her personal career highlights are recording ‘Woodcarver’ with Johnny Cash, which achieved Gold record status and receiving a Gold record for her version of the Willie Nelson song ‘Crazy’ in 1989. Here, for the first time, she recounts the highs – and lows – of a lifetime in music. In the company of another Sligo household name, Tommie Gorman, famed for his legendary interviews. | Free | ||
1:30pm |  Cú duo | FREE GIGO’Hehirs Bakery, Tesco Arcade – Sat October 28th, 1:30pm Cú duo combine meditative harmonies on Harp & Hang with traditional folk elements, adding Bodhrán and Guitar to their music. Cú Duo will bring an ambient/instrumental vibe from this new Nordic & Celtic Fusion of modern Music. | Nordic & Celtic Fusion | Free | |
4pm |  Collapsing Stars | FREE GIGLillies Cocktail Bar, Bridge St – Sat October 28th, 4pm Blending folk, blues and Americana sounds with beautifully interlaced cello and vocal harmonies, Collasping Stars have been compared to Iron & Wine, the Lumineers, Nick Drake and early Bon Iver. They’ve had an exciting few months having recieved international attention after NPR Music featured their new record on All Songs Considered. Americana UK gave it 8 out of 10 stars and Uncut Magazine included their single in a compilation. | Folk | Free | |
5pm |  No Oil Paintings | FREE GIGFurey’s Bar, Bridge St. – Sat October 28th, 5pm Hailed by Hotpress Magazine as ‘One of Northern Ireland’s most exciting bands to emerge in recent times’, No Oil Paintings are a dynamic, alternative-folk band from Belfast. Their mix of folk instrumentation and four part harmonies retrace the link between Irish and Americana music creating their own brand of genre-bending roots music. | Alt-Folk | Free | |
8pm |  John CollearyHawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – Sat October 28th, 8pm Sligo’s own, John Colleary brings his ‘LOUD & COLLEARY’ National tour to Sligo Live Festival this autumn. 👏 John spent the majority of 2022 opening for Tommy Tiernan on his sold-out ‘Tomfoolery’ tour to tens of thousands of comedy fans across the country, including a record two sold-out nights at the Sligo Live Festival last year! | €18.00 + s.c. | ||
Time | Name/Description | Genre | Tickets | Get Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
29th October | ||||
1pm |  Paul Charles ‘ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND’ with Martin McGinley
| Free | ||
5pm |  Polly Barrett | FREE GIGShell’s Cafe, Strandhill – Sun October 29th, 5pm Polly Barrett is a well-known name on the Irish folk scene. After releasing 2 albums, 2011’s Mr Bookshop and Probably Me in 2014. During the Covid-19 pandemic Polly quietly recorded and released “Dark Garden”, an EP of four new songs, one of which, ‘Thinking About You’ was chosen for a Discover Ireland Campaign for West Cork. Polly performed an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance in the US in 2022 and has just returned from performing at Milkwaukee Irish Fest in the US alongside the Coronas, Wallis Bird and a host of other Irish acts. | Free | ||
8pm |  Iris DeMentATU Sligo Knocknarea Arena – Sun October 29th, 8pm Rolling Stone recently naming her debut album, Infamous Angel, one of the “greatest country albums of all time!” With an inimitable voice as John Prine described, “like you’ve heard, but not really” she’s simply one of the finest singer-songwriters in America as well as one of our fiercest advocates for human rights. | €45.00 + s.c. | ||
8pm |  These charming MenHawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – Sun October 29th, 8pm These Charming Men from Dublin, Ireland were formed in 1995 and to this day continue to charm fans of The Smiths and Morrissey all around the globe with their finely tuned, energetic and passionate live shows. They are classed as one of the premier Smiths and Morrissey tribute bands around at the moment. These Charming Men are a must for all Smiths and Morrissey fans! | €21.00 + s.c. | ||
Time | Name/Description | Genre | Tickets | Get Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
30th October | ||||
1:30pm |  La Gracia | FREE GIGPink Clover Cafe – Mon October 30th, 1:30pm Fronted by husband and wife, Gráinne and Kevin from the West of Ireland. Their music has been described as a fusion of modern RnB with classic soul. It is nostalgic, reminiscent of the 90’s R&B sound of En Vogue, TLC and Lauryn Hill. Gráinne’s voice also has that classic soul sound and has been compared to the likes of Aretha Franklin and Roberta Flack. | Modern R&B | Free | |
4:30pm |  Paddy Dennehy | FREE GIGOsta Café, Garavogue Weir View – Mon October 30th, 4:30pm As a child Paddy would rush to get a guitar or play the piano very loudly in the hopes that you might hear it and request a song before you left. He was not imbued with a keen sense of subtlety or restraint but he has been working on this over the years. “Little Light is a captivating, heart-wrenching showcase of how powerful folk music can be.” – Hotpress Magazine. “This man is a rare talent. We can only advise you to keep an eye – and two ears – on him.” – Rolling Stone France. | Folk | Free | |
8pm |  John BishopATU Sligo Knocknarea Arena – Mon October 30th, 8pm John Bishop is one the UK’s biggest names in comedy. Within three years of his first ever gig, John was playing sold-out arena audiences across the country, and released the fastest selling stand-up DVD in UK history. TV. | €38.00 + s.c. | ||
Time | Name/Description | Genre | Tickets | Get Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1th November | ||||
8pm |  Ralph McTellHawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – Wed November 1st, 8pm One of the great storytellers, Ralph McTell, known for his virtuoso guitar style, he is primarily a prolific and gifted songwriter. With a style that invites you into a unique world, he weaves a narrative that is both significant and poignant. Ralph made his debut in 1968 with the album ‘Eight Frames a Second’ and in 1974 the release of ‘Streets of London’ earned him an Ivor Novello Award. In 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. | €32.00 + s.c. SEATED | ||
Time | Name/Description | Genre | Tickets | Get Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3th November | ||||
4:30pm |  Kenan Flannery | FREE GIGWalker 1781, O’Connell St – Fri November 3rd, 4:30pm Kenan Flannery at his core is a storyteller for the damned and broken, writing heart-wrenching songs and stories with a voice “that hits you with the intensity of a hundred Irish poets and musicians”. Mixing his upbringing in Dublin with his love for American folk music he has been compared to the likes of John Prine and Blaze Foley. His live shows display his writing in the most unique and wild way. | Folk | Free | |
8pm |  Gearoid FarrellyHawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – Fri November 3rd, 8pm In this show Gearóid takes a look at the litany of things in our lives that just don’t measure up. Everything from his generic-looking cat to Shania Twain. He will also be examining the big issues that really sell tickets like mental health (INSERT SOMETHING SEARINGLY HONEST), Masculinity (grrrr) and relationships (sexy stuff as opposed to splitting bills) and how we’re living in a time when we can say anything we like and it becomes the truth. | €22.00 + s.c | ||
8:30pm |  John GrantATU Sligo Knocknarea Arena – Fri November 3rd, 8:30pm John Grant has mastered the art of gorgeous, country-flecked melody and gripping narratives! Don’t miss your chance to see this phenomenal artist in Sligo! 🔥 | €35.00 + s.c. SEATED | ||
Time | Name/Description | Genre | Tickets | Get Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4th November | ||||
11am |  Dear & Dearer | FREE GIGLyon’s Café, Quay St – Sat November 4th, 11am Come aboard for the transatlantic voyage ! Navigation conditions are folky despite some expected country disturbances. The weather is poetic and ironic. The crew consists of a singer with a clear tone, and a guitarist with a western background. Dear & Dearer is a folk music duet from France whose debut EP was released June 2023. They claim influences of duet like Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Mandolin Orange or Dave Gunning and J.P Cormier. | French Folk | Free | |
12pm |  Laytha | FREE GIGWB’s Coffee House, Stephen St – Sat November 4th, 12pm Enniskillen-based folk duo Laytha, cousins Niamh and Philana, are becoming best known for crafting captivating vocal harmonies, a close- knit resonance that echos the sounds of genre peers such as Saint Sister, The Staves and First Aid Kit. Tracks from their debut self-titled album ‘Laytha’ (released Nov 22) cover the economies of relationships shared and broken, familial bonds, daughterhood, womanhood and new beginnings. | Folk | Free | |
1pm |  Paddy Keyes | FREE GIGInsomnia Cafe, O’Connell St – Sat November 4th, 1pm Paddy Keyes is a pop singer / songwriter from Sligo, Ireland. Having began his aspirations to become an artist in his hometown of Sligo, the 21 year old made the move to Dublin to establish his career in music. Looking up to artists such as Sam Fender and Holly Humberstone, Keyes uses catchy melodies and lyrics that his audience can connect with | Alt-Pop | Free | |
2pm |  Katie Nicholas | FREE GIGSligo County Library – Sat November 4th, 2pm Katie Nicholas is an award-winning singer songwriter from Liverpool. After a long musical hiatus she steps into a new musical era with her latest EP “Feather” showcasing her as a distinctive folk artist, skilful guitarist and fearless in bending any genre to suit her message. With her poetic lyricism and carefully crafted guitar arrangements accompanied with strings and keys, her sound is reminiscent of obscure but timeless artists including Kate Rusby, Katie Melua, Eva Cassidy and Joni Mitchell. | Singer-Songwriter | Free | |
6pm |  The Moytura Trio | FREE GIGMcLynns Bar, Old Market St – Sat November 4th, 6pm Joanna Sweeney is an Irish traditional musician & hails from Riverstown Co. Sligo. She has been playing music since the age of 6. Predominate instruments are whistle, bodhrán, fiddle & voice. Throughout her 20’s she travelled and work extensively through Europe & South America and began to explore and play other genres of music such as world & traditional indigenous styles & this really informed her tastes. | Irish Trad | Free | |
8pm |  JargonHawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – Sat November 4th, 8pm Jargon, the talented multi-instrumentalist acoustic group has returned, revisiting their interpretations and original songs in Ragtime, Blues, Folk and Bluegrass styles. Formed by Charlie McGettigan in 1973, and reformed in the eighties, they followed Clannad and Pumpkinhead in winning the prestigious Letterkenny Folk Festival and subsequently released three singles. Charlie and Paul Harrington went on to win the Eurovision with ‘Rock and Roll Kids’ and is a noted songwriter with songs like ‘Feet of a Dancer’! | €24.00 + s.c. | ||
8:30pm |  The WaterboysKnocknarea Arena, ATU Sligo – Sat November 4th, 8:30pm From their infectious beats to their heartfelt performances, they’ll take you on a musical journey like no other! | €40.00 + s.c. (STANDING) | €43.00 + s.c. (SEATED) | ||
10pm |  After Midnight | FREE GIGThomas Connolly – Sat November 4th, 10pm After Midnight will be putting together a collection of old and new songs for a Sligo Live special. Visiting the musical styles of blues, jazz, country and folk After Midnight live in Thomas Connolly will feature Leo Morris on Guitar and vocals; Michael Conefrey on Bass and Vocals; Graeme Bourke on keys and Danny Young on percussion. | Folk | Free | |
Time | Name/Description | Genre | Tickets | Get Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5th November | ||||
4.30pm |  Muireann Bradley | FREE GIGÓsta Cafe, Garavogue Weir View – Sun November 5th, 4.30pm Muireann Bradley is a 16 year old finger picking guitar player & singer from County Donegal. She performs Country Blues & Ragtime Blues from the 1920s & 30s, also Folk, Roots and Americana. She has recorded her first album called “I kept these old Blues” which will be released in 2024. | Ragtime Blues | Free | |
8pm |  Bird on the Wire: The Songs of Leonard Cohen’Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo – Sun November 5th, 8pm Bird On The Wire, a collaborative interpretation of The Leonard Cohen Songbook by singer Pauline Scanlon , Galway band The Whileaways and their band of joy, return to Sligo with their new show. Pauline Scanlon and The Whileaways will celebrate many of Cohen’s best-loved life works. They lead a masterful collective including Will Merrigan on bass, Dave Clancy on keys, Beoga legend Eamon Murray on drums, together with strings and brass sections. | €30.00 + s.c | ||
