The island of Saints and Scholars, Ireland has always been known for our creative folk. The Irish alumni of the music industry boasts names from Hozier to Dermot Kennedy, artists who were born and bred on our emerald shores and who write with that distinctively Irish poeticism. There’s a deep pool of musical talent running along these shores, a well of soulfulness that seems to seep into the very ground. And one of the best places to partake in and experience this talent is the bars of Dublin city on a weeknight. From the iconic Zodiac Sessions at Bruxelles to newstarters such as The Nerano Sessions at The Landmark, there is whole chorus of these pubs, that on select nights of the week, will be crammed with eager music-lovers, waiting for magic to unfold before them.
These humble “sessions” are in many ways, though, the foundational blocks of Dublin’s music scene. They’re a pivotal rung on the ladder to success, these safe spaces where artists can try out new sounds and songs, build up confidence and hone their skill in front of an attentive audience. They’re where fanbases begin to be built, performance skills sharpened, and where the intimacy of the venue allows for a sense of vulnerability that is not always seen elsewhere. They’re where beginnings are made. The stage of The Zodiac Sessions has been graced by the likes of Hozier and Dermot Kennedy, visited by Post Malone and Hugh Jackman, and it continues to host artists whose talent is indisputable and who will someday rise to the same status.
Dublin is dotted with these musical havens, from Doyle’s to the International Bar, and everywhere in between. At either end of the county, The Bloody Stream in Howth hosts live music every Sunday, just as The Beerkeeper does in Dun Laoghaire. One of the most highly regarded, though is the Zodiac Sessions, helmed by Barry “Jazz” Finnegan, a man who has the utmost respect of his artists, and who looks as though he’d kill you if you disrespected them. A veteran to the game, Barry is responsible for creating one of the most nurturing musical environments in the city.
Select artists build up a connection with him, and fight their way onto the bill each week. The effect of this as a continual audience member is staggering; you see these artists grow and blossom before you, their wings unfolding as they find their groove, release EPs, advertise gigs in Whelan’s and The Grand Social. But Finnegan’s deftly curated atmosphere also serves to create a network of artists who support and vouch for one another passionately. On any given Wednesday night, you’d be likely to see any number of a few regular faces. By giving the space to play to these people each week, Finnegan gives them the space to build bonds that will serve them well in their music careers, opening up opportunities for collaborations, support acts, and so much more.
I think my favourite part about these music nights in Dublin, though, is the atmosphere, the feeling that you are privy to something momentous happening before you. There is a sense that you could be watching the birth of some great star – some day, years into the future, you could be saying “I saw John Doe at Bruxelles in 2019”. Maybe, maybe not. But there’s something powerful about feeling like you’re party to something important, monumental, or just plain fun.
THE BEST MUSIC SESSIONS & OPEN MIC NIGHTS IN DUBLIN
MONDAYS – Circle Sessions @ International Bar
MONDAYS – Song Cycle @ Whelan’s
MONDAYS – That’s It @ Sin É
TUESDAYS – Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s Pub
WEDNESDAYS – Zodiac Sessions @ Bruxelles Bar
WEDNESDAYS – Nerano Sessions @ The Landmark
SUNDAYS – Apollo Sessions @ The Bleeding Horse
SUNDAYS – Open Mic @ The Beer Keeper
