Ed Sheeran collaborators BEOGA to perform in concert as part of the annual Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School 2017
Saturday 22 July 8pm, The Courtyard @ Kavanaghs
Tickets on sale now
Traditional Irish music band BEOGA – which shot to fame since collaborating with Ed Sheeran on his latest album ÷ (Divide) and on the number one track ‘Galway Girl’ – will perform in concert on Saturday 22 July as part of the Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School 2017. The gig will mark the mid-point of the summer school and will give participants and the public an opportunity to witness these internationally-acclaimed musicians live in the intimate surroundings of Kavanagh’s Live Music Venue, Main Street, Portlaoise.
Hailing from Antrim, BEOGA formed in 2002 after ‘jamming’ in a ferocious session at the All-Ireland Fleadh. Since that time they have captivated global audiences, earning rave reviews for their five studio albums and for their live performances worldwide. The band received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2010, has been featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal, and has played countless major festivals and events including alongside the BBC Orchestra as part of the prestigious ‘Last night of the Proms’.
The group have partnered with Music Generation previously when they facilitated a workshop for 100+ young trad musicians from six areas of Ireland at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Ennis, in August 2016.
Now, Music Generation Laois will present the band as part of a series of exciting concerts taking place nightly throughout the Trad Summer School (21 – 23 July 2017). Book-ending BEOGA’s performance, an Opening Gala Concert on Friday 21 July will feature tutors from the Summer School and the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, and on Sunday afternoon, 23 July a Grand Finale Student and Tutor Concert will round off the weekend.
Speaking of this exciting concert as part of the Summer Camp, Music Generation Laois Coordinator Rosa Flannery said: ‘We are so excited to be able to present BEOGA in concert as part of our summer programme this year. We’re especially delighted to be able to give our young trad musicians an opportunity to see these brilliant performers at work. Our trad programme at Music Generation Laois has been growing from strength to strength since it was established in 2012. This is a testament to the dedication of our superb musician team, who lead the tuition throughout the year, as well as to unique opportunities such as this Trad Summer Camp where young people can really immerse themselves in their playing and interact with professionals at the top of their game.’
Tickets to see BEOGA on Saturday 22 July are on sale now from €15, and can be booked online at kavanaghsportlaoise.com or in person through Kavanagh’s Live Music Venue.
Registration for the Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School is open now for young musicians ages 8+ who have some experience playing their instrument. Further information is available online at musicgenerationlaois.ie.
Event information
BEOGA: Saturday 22 July, 7pm
The Courtyard (Kavanagh’s Live Music Venue), Main St., Portlaoise
Admission €20/€15
Booking: kavanaghsportlaoise.com / in person at Kavanagh’s Live Music Venue
About Music Generation Laois
Music Generation Laois is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme, initiated by Music Network, co-funded nationally by U2, the Ireland Funds and The Department of Education and Skills and locally by Laois County Council (lead partner), Laois Offaly ETB and Laois Partnership. Music Generation Laois is a performance music education programme for children and young people, working with schools and in centres across the County, across 6 programme strands – Trad , Orchestral, The Music Box – a music programme for young people with special needs, a School of Rock and Pop, Singing and Stampede Drumming. In 2016 over 3000 young people attended weekly music tuition through Music Generation Laois programmes. For further information visit:
www.musicgeneration.ie / www.musicgenerationlaois.ie
Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School
GENERAL INFORMATION
Venue: Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre, Tower Hill, Portlaoise
Times: 11am–3pm (Fri, Sat) / 11am-4:30pm (Sun)
Age: 8+ Cost: €60
TUTORS INCLUDE: Laoise Kelly, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Siobhan Buckley & Rachel Hair (Harp); Denise Boyle & Bríd Harper (Fiddle); Noel Hill & Ernestine Healy (Concertina); Niall Keegan (Flute); Ryan Molloy (Piano Accompaniment – advanced class); Peter Browne & Paul Finn (Button Accordion); David Power, Fionnán McGabhann, Gay McKeon & Alexander Suarez Mendez (Uilleann Pipes); Tommy Hayes, Colm Phelan (Bodhrán)
REQUIRED STANDARD: Please note that participants must have some experience in an instrument to enroll in the Trad Summer School classes. Those of a more junior standard will be placed in the mixed juniors class, and this will be decided by the instrumental tutors. A limited number of harps will be available for Music Generation Laois harp students.
BOOKING: musicgenerationlaois@
SUMMER CAMP CONCERTS
Friday 21 July: Opening Gala Concert
Dunamaise Arts Centre, 8pm
Featuring tutors from the Summer School and the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra
Free admission, donations welcome
Saturday 22 July: Beoga
The Courtyard (Kavanagh’s Live Music Venue), 7pm
Renowned Irish Trad band who have shot to international fame since recording with Ed Sheeran
Admission €20/€15
Sunday 23 July: Student & Tutor Concert
Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre (Tower Hill), 3pm
This finale concert will showcase students from the Summer School.
Free admission, donations welcome
The Music Generation Laois Summer Programme also includes a School of Rock and Pop, running from 3 – 7 July.
About Beoga
Beoga (Gaelic for ‘lively’) are based in County Antrim, in the north of Ireland. The bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition. However, they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. The result is traditional, with a huge sense of fun and adventure. The Wall Street Journal described Beoga as ‘the most exciting new traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century.’ Irish Music Magazine writes, ‘Beoga are at the forefront of the new Irish wave.’
The band was drawn together in 2002 after ‘jamming’ in a ferocious session at the All-Ireland Fleadh. Their unique sound features the twin dueling accordions of Damian McKee and multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley and four time All-Ireland bodhrán champion, Eamon Murray. In 2005, the lineup was complete, with the addition of Niamh Dunne, one of Ireland’s premier young talents, on vocals and fiddle.
Beoga have released five ground-breaking studio albums to date: ‘a lovely madness’ (2004); ‘Mischief’ (2007); ‘The Incident’ (2009); ‘How to tune a fish’ (2011); and ‘Before we change our mind’ (2016). In 2013 the band released ‘Live at 10’, a DVD/CD Gala Concert celebrating their 10th Anniversary.
With new, fresh compositions along with their unique blend of inventive arrangements, virtuosic instrumental talents and beautiful vocals, Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish as they captivate audiences on a global scale.