The Academic, Sorcha Richardson, and Gavin James are among the Irish acts taking part in Songs From an Empty Room, a series of live concerts broadcast on RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ2, and the RTÉ Player.
A total of 20 bands and solo artists will perform from The Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Dolans, Limerick, INEC, Killarney, and Roisin Dubh in Galway to support live music initiatives Minding Creative Minds and the Association of Irish Stage Technicians Hardship Fund at a time when the live music industry faces an uncertain future due to the pandemic.
Aimee, Denise Chaila, Fia Moon, Niall Hogan of The Cranberries, The Stunning and Picture This will also take part in the night, which is presented by RTÉ and EPIC, the Event Production Industry Covid-19 working group, this Saturday, July 25 from 8.30pm to 10.45pm.
Irish venues have been dark since lockdown began on March 12, with all Irish music festivals also postponed due to the ongoing pandemic.
This has left huge challenges for Ireland's famous live events industry due to the cancellation and postponement of all mass gatherings, festivals, concerts, theatrical productions, sports events, trade shows and community gatherings.
Ireland’s €3.5 billion a year live events business has ground to a halt, leaving crews without income, and with no current roadmap to recovery as long as Covid-19 continues to present a significant public health risk.
Audiences at home will be directed to the website Songs From An Empty Room and will be able to show support by donating via text or through the initiative’s GoFundMe Page. Branded crew merchandise will also be available to purchase through the website with all proceeds from these sales going to the initiative.
