Sherkin Island in West Cork will host a new festival called Open Ear on the June Bank Holiday weekend all about experimental music of Irish original from 3rd-5th of June.
Open Ear is inspired by alternative festivals like from Unsound in Krakow and to Rathlin Island (which has hosted regular electronic weekenders) off the coast of Antrim.
It’ll largely take place in the Sherkin North Shore Guesthouse and the Jolly Roger pub nearby.
Playing at the festival are:
Bjork collaborator Spaces, solo and with his techno duo Ordinate, Cork producer Ellll (also performing as Double Glaze with Mariah Black), Sunken Foal, Dublin “digital mixtape” collective wherethetimegoes will have a special showcase featuring young artists Minos and Lastminuteman, SIAS, Lumigraph, Niamh De Barra, T-woc and more.
- Sunken Foal
- Spaces
- Lumigraph
- Sias
- Ellll
- School Tour
- Meljoann
- Ed Devane
- Kenny Hanlon
- Platinum Ray
- Ordinate
- Mariah Black
- T-Woc
- Cholera House
- Niamh De Barra
- Chris Power
- La Beaute
- Lolz
- Noid The Droid
- Chris Chapman
- Wherethetimegoes Showcase with Lastminuteman ・ Minos ・ Sage
Tickets for Open Ear are €75 including camping, and there will be a special €7 return ferry deal for attendees.

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.