BILLED as Ireland’s newest mini festival, Fómhar in Fanore, comes to O’Donohue’s Pub early next month.
It will be headlined by Clare-born multi-instrumentalist and producer Daithí with his signature fiddle and dance infused sounds.
“I feel like I’m more connected to where I’m from than I’ve ever been,” Daithí said about his latest album I’m Here Now, which was heavily inspired by his home place.
Off the back of this release, Daithí is coming home with an exclusive performance at Fómhar in Fanore on Saturday, October 8.
Daithí will be joined by trad-hip-hop fusion poet Strange Boy, heavy folk outfit Bog Bodies, R&B artist Toshín along with her six-piece band, and Clare based sing-songwriter and dancer Dora Gola.
Daithí’s name has become synonymous with raising the bar for the live dance experience, mixing in unique elements like his signature fiddle – a symbol of his traditional Irish upbringing – alongside a chorus of talented musicians who elevate songs that have been purpose-built for a widescreen arena.
Bedded in electronica, Daithí’s sound has moved beyond a fusion of Ireland’s past and a contemporary present to a world of rich texture, veering from deep house music to ambient arrangements, in the form of instrumental narratives, stunning visuals and vocally-charged supporting characters.
Strange Boy combines hip hop and Irish traditional music, the old and new cultural influences dominant in this country, with a sophistication that would have you swearing this genre always existed.
It’s been an incredible 12 months for the rapper who released his debut new album Holy/ Unholy produced by Enda Gallery in Kilfenora, via record label Welcome to the New World and featuring the Grammy award winning voice of Clannad: Moya Brennan.
The album received extraordinary critical acclaim with Hot Press naming it in their top six hip-hop albums released anywhere in the world in 2021 and was ranked in the top six Irish albums of the year by both Nialler9 and District Magazine.
He is a new artist for a new generation in Ireland, singled out by District Magazine as a “national treasure”.
Bog Bodies are a heavy folk band from North Tipperary, their eclectic sound and poetic song writing lies somewhere in-between Rage Against the Machine and Christy Moore, with a healthy dash of traditional Irish and world music thrown in for good measure.
After blistering live sets at this year’s Westival, and Uisneach Fire Festival, as well as a sold-out gig at Temple Bar Tradfest 2022, they are taking their high energy live show to slew of Irish festivals this summer.
Founded in 2016, Toshín have evolved over the last four years into the vibrant 6-piece it is today. Taking inspiration from a variety of music spanning from early Motown to modern soul/RnB artists such as Tank and the Bangas and Anderson Paak, their original songs can be put into an incredibly wide range of genres.
This is thanks to lead vocalist Tosin Bankole, guitarist Taran Plouzane-Brady and help from various collaborators, including Lisa Rogers (Girlfriend) and Ele Breslin (Zapho).
This year, Toshín released their debut EP ‘Get Your Life’, which received high appraisal from radio DJ John Barker.
The band embarked on their first ever tour around Ireland, which was unfortunately cut short due to Covid-19 restrictions. Going forward, the band are planning another long-form project in the future and can’t wait to get back to playing gigs and festivals!
Born and raised in her native Poland, singer-songwriter and dancer Dora Gola developed a strong and emboldened identity within Irish culture.
She now had a backdrop in which to illustrate these songs, an environment and landscape that added breadth and levity to the music, allowing her to see them in their formative light.
Her debut single ‘Dark Sand’ followed by ‘Flying Tree’ set an earthly and spiritual tone that breathed feminine power and saw nature as a support network for improving and healing mental health.
The release went on to earn numerous accolades from the national music press, with Irish Times Magazine and Hot Press dubbing her as one of the most exciting new acts to emerge right now.
Now living in Lahinch, Dora has fully welcomed the outside world into her creative soul. Her music looks to rekindle the connection that has been lost between humanity and mother nature, forcing us all to rediscover the simple beauty of the earth and bridge the gap that has grown in these modern times.
Through a spiritual language that holds no barriers, her music is a rediscovery of ancestral roots, mystery, and sensuality.
Doors 5pm and tickets for this line-up are €20, available from Eventbrite now.
This show is all made possible by CWB along with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, Clare County Council and Clare Arts Office.