MayKay is a singer, songwriter, TV presenter, and frontwoman of Fight Like Apes.
She is a member of Irish Artists for Palestine, who will present the Daughters of Jerusalem women's choir from the occupied West Bank in three Irish concerts this October, at UCH Limerick, Pavilion Dublin, and Whitla Hall Belfast.
This month she releases her debut solo single, Busted.
We asked May Kay for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
I went to 28 Years Later in the cinema because there was nothing else on and ended up going through every emotion under the sun. Bawled crying twice. Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, all incredible. I went back to my old favourite Addams Family Values recently, after the new series of Wednesday came out. Such a brilliant movie that will never get old.
MUSIC
It's an amazing & proud spot to be in to not have to compromise your values and beliefs when listening to Irish music. So many bands I love are so outspoken and steadfast in theirs so here are 2 of those:
Huartan - tradtronica/pagan vibes from Belfast, lethal live, check out their track Bean Udaí Thall.
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Cork’s The Cliffords are having an amazing year. Great band, big hearts. Listen to My Favourite Monster.
THEATRE
Earlier this year I saw MILK مِلْك at the Abbey Theatre, by Bashar Murkus and Khulood Basel. It’s the most viscerally effective piece of theatre I think I’ve ever seen. Not an easy watch, but it’s not supposed to be.
TV
I don’t hear enough people talking about Superstore! One of my favourite comedies. Unbelievably good bunch of characters, very poignant overarching theme of the cruelty of capitalism, incredibly rewatchable.
Also, the new series of Wednesday! It reminded me of my favourite of the Addams Family movies (Values, see above). The most heart-warming cast on earth.
GIG
The last 2 gigs - Bob Vylan at All Together Now and Adebisi Shank’s long awaited return in the Button Factory. Both religious experiences, and the crowds these bands attract says so much about them. Nicest mosh pits ever.
ART
Hard to narrow this down but here goes: Sean of Deadly.ie fame does very high quality, genius, Irish themed pins. Have a look for yourself.
Ciarna, aka ‘Kiki na Art’, is a brilliant, bold, warrior woman whose been making political art in different forms for years, spreading love and awareness like butter.
Rich Gilligan released his book The First Draft this year. It’s a collection of the most beautiful photos of notable people across the arts. I am impressively awful at describing photos so please go check it out.
PODCAST
Dave Hanratty’s No Encore podcast for your music review and pop culture needs. Manchán Magan’s The Almanac of Ireland, or actually anything he does recently. Am disappointed I can’t vote for him to be our next President.
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TECH
irishartistsforpalestine.com is a very impressive website where you can easily donate to and buy tickets for the upcoming tour of Daughters of Jerusalem/Banat al Quds, a 35 piece, all female choir from Jerusalem.
The Daughters of Jerusalem / Banat al Quds play Pavilion Dun Laoghaire (2.30pm & 8pm) on October 26th, UCH Limerick on Oct 28th, and Whitla Hall Belfast on Oct 30th. May Kay's solo single Busted will be released on September 12th - find out more here.
