After two Irish tours conveyed on her trusty 125cc scooter, Caoi de Barra is upgrading her ride.
For her first full-band Irish tour this December, the bike is staying in the garage, making way for a proper backline and a crew of serious players.
Caoi de Barra is a core member of the beloved alt-pop trio Wyvern Lingo, who has released solo work and toured with artists like Grammy Award-winner Allison Russell amd Wallis Bird since Wyvern Lingo went on hiatus in 2022.
This December, Caoi has gathered a dream-team lineup of musicians she’s connected with along the way. The band features the multi-talented bassist/guitarist Caoimhe Hopkinson (also of Allison Russell’s band), sound wizard and clarinetist Aidan Floatinghome, and songwriter Wallis Bird will be taking up the sticks on drums.
Musically, de Barra’s solo material is a potent blend of candid, heart-on-sleeve lyricism, soulful guitar work, and those unmistakable, soaring vocals. She channels a spirit that feels informed by the raw emotion of Jeff Buckley and the warped pop sensibilities of Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
Her 2022 debut EP Thicket and the 2023 single ‘Treehouse’ are precursors to a debut album which is slated for a 2026 release.
The tour also boasts a stellar support bill, featuring Brian Mooney’s solo project The Next New Low and longtime friend and collaborator, the powerhouse vocalist from Chicago, Elizabeth Moen.
Ahead of the tour, the band decamped to Wallis Bird’s 150-year-old farmhouse in the German countryside for an idyllic week of rehearsals. On the final day, filmmaker Timothy Wiehn dropped in to capture the magic, resulting in the first of five videos from the ‘Cow Walk Sessions’.
The beautifully intimate ‘Nightfield’ offers a stripped-back glimpse into the collaborative spirit fueling this new venture.
Caoi De Barra Tour Dates:
- Dec 2 – Dublin, Grand Social Ballroom
- Dec 3 – Limerick, Dolan’s Upstairs
- Dec 4 – Kinsale, Prim’s Bookshop
- Dec 5 – Ahakista, Arundels by the Pier
- Dec 6 – Waterville, Tech Amergin
Tickets for all dates are on sale now.
“The fact that the stars are aligning, and that I can get all of these incredible players together to do this tour is a haire-brained scheme come true. It’s gonna be so so special, I can’t WAAAAAIT to play these shows!”
Credits for ‘Nightfield’ (Cow Walk Sessions):
- Hohner Keyboard by Ross Collier
- Filmed by Timothy Wiehn
- Audio recorded and mixed by Aidan Floatinghome
- Guitar and vocals by Caoi de Barra
- Clarinet by Aidan Floatinghome
- Trumpet by Wallis Bird
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, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
