The city and county’s gig scene begin to swing back to life following the post-holiday lull. Quarter Block Party, the first festival of the year, is just ahead and things are warming up nicely.
TUESDAY 17TH JANUARY:
Jack O’Rourke @ Wallis’ Bar, Midleton (8pm, €12)
Night one of a two-night residency in Midleton for the Leeside singer-songwriter, with support from James McGrath on this leg.
WEDNESDAY 18TH JANUARY:
Jack O’Rourke @ Wallis’ Bar, Midleton (8pm, €12)
The second leg of O’Rourke’s two-nighter in Wallis’. Support this time around from Leanne Dixon. The conclusion of the ninth in a series of showcase events by local promoters Skylark.
THURSDAY 19TH JANUARY:
Sacred Harp Singers of Cork @ Unitarian Church (7pm, free)
Harmonic singing utilising the simplified shape-note method, reframing traditional American hymns in a secular context. Listeners welcome, new participants encouraged.
Ed Creedon & Sabine Ducrot @ CIT Cork School of Music (8pm, €20/€15)
Young musicians headline the opening of the Cork Orchestral Society’s Spring season. Works from Schumann, Clarke, Penderecki and Vieuxtemps.
Ian Shaw and The Phil Ware Trio @ Triskel TDC (8pm, €20)
Award-winning jazz vocalist takes to Cork as part of a five-date Irish run celebrating a decade of collaboration with pianist Phil Ware and bandmates.
Ye Vagabonds @ Coughlan’s (9pm, €15)
The brothers Glynn get a round trip of the country in on tour before heading away to finish their debut album.
FRIDAY 20TH JANUARY:
SF Streetwear Launch @ The Village Hall (7pm, invitation via Facebook PM)
Launch event for Cork-designed streetwear label, featuring a photography exhibition from Isabela Szczutkowska, a pop-up shop with the label’s first collection, and a DJ set from the Cuttin’ Heads Collective. Invite-only, PM the event hosts at Facebook.
Sweet Tooth @ The Kino (8pm, €10)
Tipperary techno collective continue their journey from warehouse raves to audiovisual spectacle with their debut Cork event. Dark electronics, with pyrotechnics and horror visuals.
Bisect @ Fred Zeppelin’s (9pm, free)
Multicultural d-beat hardcore outfit continue gigging with slimmed-down line-up and focused new sound. Support from newcomers Zhi Ren and sludge outfit Partholón.
Cuttin’ Heads Collective @ CUBE (11pm, free)
The Cuttin’ Heads lads continue their Friday night sojourn with a go behind the decks at CUBE. Eighties electronica is the order of the night, emphasis on breaks and beats.
SATURDAY 21ST JANUARY:
Inni-K @ Levis’ of Ballydehob (8.30pm, donations)
Dublin indie-folk multi-instrumentalist visits the Ballydehob venue for the latest in the venue’s Over the Counter series of gigs.
Paula Temple @ Cyprus Avenue (11pm, €16)
Hybrid-DJ pioneer and self-proclaimed “noisician” stops into Cyprus Avenue ahead of a busy 2017.
SUNDAY 22ND JANUARY:
Wallis Bird @ Connolly’s of Leap (8pm, €26.40)
Singer-songwriter continues her Irish tour off the back of a Choice nomination, this time to go under the hammers at Connolly’s.
Ye Vagabonds @ Levis’ of Ballydehob (8pm, donations)
The Glynns continue their sojourn around county Cork with a show at Levis’, on a pass-the-hat-admission basis. Patrons are asked to use the back entrance.
