The Conncert returns to Lough Conn in Mayo for the second year with a varied lineup of music acts.
The volunteer-lead Conncert takes place on Saturday August 9th in a former former fishing lodge-turned-pub, and features a wide array of 8 DIY independent artists like The Bonk, Elaine Malone, Patrick Kelleher and more.
Held in a former fishing lodge-turned-pub, overlooking the shores of Lough Conn in County Mayo, The Conncert is a volunteer-run all-dayer, featuring eight sonically diverse acts from all over Ireland.
The Thin Air covered it last year.
The event happens Saturday August 9th from 3pm to late and costs €25 plus fees.
The Conncert crew all spent their formative years in the local underground and punk scenes in Ballina, and have carried that DIY ethos into wider projects across Ireland and the UK — Community of Independents in Dublin and Cushty Gamut in London (John Breslin), Ballina Punx (Conor Hickey), and Inner Ear / The Voice & the Verse in Galway (Patrick Hallinan).
“I’ve been imagining an experimental gig in The Lodge every time I’ve been back for a pint since a few of us played covers there as 18-year-olds. So it’s been a long time coming,” said John Breslin.
Patrick Hallinan added, “It’s a labour of love. We take no money from it, so what drives us is quite simple: bringing a bunch of people together to share music, where something special can happen.”
Conor Hickey says “these events are so important. Not even for the music but moreso for the camaraderie and the shared experience. And having it in a place like The Lodge takes that up another couple of notches”.
In keeping with that spirit of independence and co-support, all proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the artists, sound engineers, and designers.
Event details
The Lodge, Cloghans, Lough Conn, Co. Mayo (F26 XY81) and features
Camping available on site beside the pub
Contact: [email protected] & Instagram.
Lineup
In alphabetical order:
A new improvisational group featuring Jamie Davis (Zeropunkt), Andy Walsh (Little Gem) and Andy Mooney (Amoon), who impressed at last year’s Spilt Milk Festival In Sligo.
• The Bonk
An experimental music project invoking a journey through the cosmos, time and time again. Gathering influences from 60’s garage, jazz and experimental pop, the band’s arrangements bring recursive rhythms and improvised melodies together in loose minimalist song forms.
Elaine Malone is a psych-rock artist & multi-instrumentalist blending elements of shoegaze, folk, and experimental soundscapes. Her critically acclaimed debut album Pyrrhic (Pizza Pizza Records, 2023) showcases her evocative lyricism and dynamic compositions.
• Hedgling
Hedgling is a new duo of Natalia Beylis and Willie Stewart. Previously, they have played together in numerous bands including Woven Skull, Boneyard Witch and Divil A’ Bit. With Hedgling, they have created a new musical sphere in which to explore the far reaches of their real & imagined surroundings. For this gig they will be joined on guitar by the amazing Aoife Hammond.
• Human Lanterns
Human Lanterns contain members of The Jimmy Cake, Hands up Who Wants to Die, Cormorant Tree Oh, Ireland and Crowhammer. Their music is influenced by Can, Ennio Morricone, Cocteau twins, Slint and people popping their clogs in an absurd manner.
• Nichts
Forged at Ballina Punx HQ, Nichts are a five-piece punk/stoner hybrid put together from the wreckage of many DIY bands of the distant past. Expect heavy riffs and quotes from Michael Parenti…
• Nonsleep –
Patrick Cullen & Eoghan Horgan making electronic music from improvisation, sampling and synth manipulations in real time.
• Patrick Kelleher
Nominated for the Choice Music Prize in 2012, for his excellent synth-pop album Golden Syrup, Patrick Kelleher – and his band The Cold Dead Hands – emerged as a vital fixture in Ireland’s music scene in 2009. Gigs and musical output have been rare in recent years, so this promises to be a special appearance! A new single Solar Wind will be out soon.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
