The news that The Gloaming will extend their residency in the National Concert Hall next spring by adding a further three dates was surely met with glee by fans across the country. After all, the initial dates, running from the 5th to the 8th of March 2018, sold out in record time this year, leaving many disappointed. Three extra concerts will run from Saturday 10th March to Monday 12th, with tickets going on sale on Wednesday at 10am. These will be their only shows in 2018, as they focus on recording their third album.
The Gloaming’s rise to fame is an impressive success story in contemporary Irish music. Their first, eponymous, album won them the Meteor Choice Award. The minimalistically (or, if one were to be cynical, unimaginatively) entitled follow-up, 2, was met with similar critical acclaim. Thus far, the group have sold out an impressive seventeen concerts at the NCH.
The Gloaming are regularly described as a ‘trad supergroup’, which is, if anything, an understatement. East Clare fiddler Martin Hayes and guitarist Denis Cahill have been a well-established duo since the 80s. Sean Nos singer Iarla Ó Lionáird has sung with Afro Celt Soundsystem, amongst others. Caoimhín O Raghallaigh, player of the ten stringed ‘Hardanger d’amore’ has an impressive fifteen recordings under his belt, and pianist and producer Thomas Bartlett (or Doveman) has also worked with Glen Hansard and Sufjan Stevens. Combined, the group’s CV is terrifyingly impressive.
Their sound is evocative of an aspirational Ireland, rooted firmly in tradition, yet unafraid of combining and fusing with the contemporary cultural sounds of jazz and art music. They hold onto a traditional soundscape, yet adapt it to a changing world. It is trad music for people who do not necessarily like trad music, but without ever undermining the integrity of this valuable musical language. Their popularity says something about our attitude to Irish culture. Despite the repeated appropriation and commercialisation of all things Irish on the global cultural marketplace, it seems we want to keep fusing, and continue adapting.
For those looking for new music before the group’s upcoming third release, check out The Blue Room, recorded by the recently formed Martin Hayes Quartet. The recording sees Hayes and Cahill with viola d’amore player Liz Knowles and bass clarinettist Daoug Wieselman, brought together in the titular room in Bantry House, Co. Cork. Each track is essentially a live recording of the group playing together, and the album evokes a spontaneity reflective of this, and that is balanced by the musical prowess of all of the players. Wieselman’s rhythmic playing is perfectly attunedatuned to Cahill’s guitar playing, and Knowles has a wonderful knack for intricate counter melodies and rhythms. They are an impressive addition to Hayes’ network of intimidating talented musicians, in what seems to be a bid for some sort of global domination. (Or simply evidence of a passion for music and profound work ethic.)
If you’re looking for the live experience, in addition to The Gloaming’s seven day run in March, Hayes will be playing the NCH with the Brooklyn Ryder Quartet on the 24th January of next year, as part of his residency in the venue.
