Programme maker Donal Scannell introduces the new series of Ireland In Music, featuring Ireland's finest musicians performing and chatting at the most beautiful and iconic places on the island, returning to RTÉ 2 on April 16th.
Inspired by the awesome depths of our Irish artists, Ireland In Music has gone deeper for its fifth season and dedicated each episode to one artist. Denise Chaila has joined as host as she gets to luxuriate in live spectacles staged for her alone. The effect is hypnotic as you lose yourself in each act, disturbed only by the commercial break.
David Kitt hits the screens first on April 16th, just days after two sold out concerts in the National Concert Hall. He's re-recorded The Big Romance and made a Kittser’s Version. His voice is deeper now, 25 years later, but it feels so right. The songs you loved before you knew how the world worked feel more appropriate now in an older voice. It’s like having your own naivety filtered back at you through hard won wisdom. It gives The Big Romance fresh resonance. Where once days rolled into weeks free of responsibility, those same songs now offer release from what can sometimes feel like relentless busyness. David’s interview with Denise captures this beautifully as he looks back for us. I look forward to another redo in 2051.
Wallis Bird hails her ninth studio album in the second episode. If you have yet to fall for Wallis’s charms watch this episode and I defy you to be unmoved. There’s no human like Wallis. Her flow of songs is unparalleled. She feels on our behalf and helps navigate our world. We’re so lucky Wallis exists.
Ailbhe Reddy flags her third album and upcoming Button Factory gig from a former nunnery - now Bellinter House Hotel. Ailbhe’s funny in real life because, as she explains, all her intensity pours into her songs. She’s so on point emotionally and melodically thrilling. Ailbhe’s new album Kiss Big is too short - and that’s a compliment. As soon as it’s over you scramble to repeat it. Her songs are so insistent. They won’t let you not listen.
Mundy previews an album-in-progress in episode four, with a song called Childish Heart leading the charge. This could become his theme tune and it’s an aspiration for all of us. The chat with Denise is a revelation. I can’t believe we’ve waited this long to hear Mundy talk about growing up in a pub. Denise is fascinated with the topic because she wasn’t allowed into pubs when young. 'I wasn’t allowed out of them’, quips Mundy in return.
Muireann Bradley is only one album in, but she’s already a fixture of Irish life. Her love of the blues and her mastery of the craft is so inspiring. In a world craving authenticity, it’s no wonder that Muireann has made such a deep impression. This fifth episode includes surprising tales from Muireann’s boxing and martial arts days!
Conor O’Brien aka Villagers rounds off the series in true national treasure style. Himself and Denise have a real rapport that bounces off the screen as he gives an insight into his preoccupations and passions that shed new light on this enigma. Beautiful moments abide as we get to eavesdrop on their time together.
That is the essence of this series, Denise Chaila as our proxy, as we all witness and share moments to be stirred by and feel proud about, especially knowing that these shows are also going out in Australia and the USA.
We don’t know how lucky we are.
Ireland In Music, RTÉ 2, Thursdays from April 16th @ 11.05 pm - catch up via RTÉ Player
