Category: CQAF22 Music

Rescheduled from OTL ’22

The Swing Gals are Northern Ireland’s original and leading vocal harmony trio. The girls have been performing together for over 12 years and are renowned for their innovative vocal arrangements of swing, jazz and a variety of popular modern genres.

They are delighted to return to the Out to Lunch Festival after their successful sell out performance in 2018. The Gals perform with their own band and appearances with the superb 16 piece Indigo Big Band have delighted their audiences.

Today’s line up consists of Ruth Jennings, Clare Galway and Karen Kirby, accompanied by Kathy McKeagney.  They will perform a varied programme of their sophisticated arrangements of songs from the iconic Andrews Sisters, ABBA, Diana Krall and the Sugababes.

Doors 12.30pm | Unreserved Seating

GoGo Penguin have been internationally hailed as electrifying live performers, innovative soundtrack composers, and as a collective who channel electronic and club culture atmospheres alongside minimalist, jazz and rock influences to create music that pulses and flows from the dancefloor to meditative inner-worlds, transporting us into brand new realms.

They appear tonight performing music from their 2020 Blue Note Records release, the self-titled GoGo Penguin, together with new music and favourites from their luminous back catalogue.

2022 also marks the touring debut of the band’s latest member, drummer Jon Scott, who brings his own uniquely propulsive style to the Manchester based trio’s exhilarating music.

GoGo Penguin are: Chris Illingworth, piano, Nick Blacka, bass & Jon Scott drums

Plus Joe Reiser sound production

We are grateful to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for the loan of the Steinway D Piano, for the purpose of this event.

‘The taut synergy between racing, pulsing, frenetic percussion and looping leaping keyboard rollercoasters… draw listeners ever deeper into their dicey slipstream’  (****Mojo)

‘Powered by fluttering, junglist drums, slithering bass lines and an increasing bank of Eno-esque digital manipulations. Hypnotic stuff.’  (The Guardian)

‘Glistens with niggling bass and stabbing piano chords …..contemporary British jazz’s great experimenters’. (Bearded)

‘Meticulously structured, deftly paced and futuristic … owes as much to 1990s drum and bass as to jazz …hypnotic and quietly epic.’ (****Music OMH )

To celebrate the legacy of Thomas McCabe, the man who successfully opposed the formation of the Belfast Slave Ship Company, Arborist will play a special show with a full band in the unique setting of First Presbyterian Church which McCabe attended.

Arborist came to the attention of critics with their debut single, the Americana tinged, Twisted Arrow, that features an astonishing duet with Kim Deal of The Breeders.

Their debut album Home Burial (2016) and the follow-up A Northern View both received glowing praise from the likes of The Guardian (“instant classic. ★★★★” ) MOJO (“…devastatingly bleak…upliftingly beautiful. ★★★★”) and Uncut 8/10.

Arborist has gained BBC 6music play from Cerys Matthews, Cillian Murphy, Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq who called single Taxi, “one of those records that makes you immediately stop what you’re doing.”

Prior to the concert, historian Raymond O’Regan will give a brief overview of the times in which McCabe lived and actor/writer Cillian Lenaghan will perform an excerpt from his forthcoming play, Sugar based on McCabe’s life.

All proceeds from the concert will be donated to help modern day victims of trafficking and slavery.

Supported by Experience Belfast Group and Walking Tours

Doors 7.45pm | Unreserved seating

Lily We Need To Talk Now is a record Lily Konigsberg has been slowly chipping away at since 2016, revising and re-recording the songs over the years.

The eleven-track collection is her first proper full length, following her anthology of EPs and unreleased tracks, The Best of Lily Konigsberg Right Now, released in 2021 by Wharf Cat Records.

The new record is catchy the whole way through, like much of her poppy and plainspoken indie rock output that’s made her a fixture of the NYC underground in recent years.

Her voice twists and turns and dashes around her clever wordplay in new ways; there are hints of power-pop, pop-punk, and downtempo introspection, all dotted with Easter eggs of winking humour.

True to its title, this collection of songs is like a check in with herself. On That’s The Way I Like It, with backing vocals from longtime collaborator Paco Cathcart, she reflects on the feeling of “struggling with someone you love, and how you can get all evil about it, like a brat, like a baby.”

On Proud Home, she sings one of the records boldest earworm hooks (“You’ve got a lot of fucking things to be proud of!”) and tries to comfort a friend who has a crush on her mom.

“I really cracked myself up with the lyrics,” she says. “It’s kind of a Stacey’s Mom riff. I decided it’s a dedication to Adam Schlesinger [of Fountains of Wayne].”

Roses, Again is a new take on a familiar Lily tune (originally on Good Time Now) re-recorded at the request of her current live band, who have evolved the song on the road.

Currently receiving rave reviews from the likes of Pitchfork and NME, this will be Lily’s debut performance in Belfast.

Tipped by RTE Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, Double J (Australia) and Folk Radio UK as a rising star on the Irish folk and alternative scene, 2021 has been the breakthrough year for this emerging alt-folk artist Dani Larkin, with the release of her debut album ‘Notes For A Maiden Warrior’.

Nominated for ‘Best Album’ at Northern Ireland Music Prize (2021), and ‘Best Emerging Artist’ at RTE Folk Awards (2021), Dani Larkin has been an artist picking up speed with each release, and one that has been marking her mark on the industry, in her own way. With appearances last year at The Great Escape, Doolin Folk fest, Folk Alliance, and selected to open for Snow Patrol to sold-out venues of London’s Palladium Theatre and Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, as well as a special home show for Hot House Flowers – she is a live act not to be missed.

To mark the release of her debut album, she joined forces with the Irish Arts Centre, New York, for a special once off live show, and the album was picked up on several big folk editorial Spotify playlists.

She’s caught the attention of certain media too, including appearing as a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, as well as special guest on Panti Bliss’ podcast ‘The Panti Personals’ ahead of her embarking on her debut English headline album headline tour to close out a hugely successful year.

An artist renowned for her unforgettable live performances, her vocal takes centre stage, accompanied always by her impressive guitar and banjo playing. Larkin has the ability to blend the old and new perfectly through her songwriting, delicately weaving themes of Celtic folklore with the more modern day landscape of her own experiences.

“Brilliant songwriter, very much blending that love of place, family, time – and I always find her music enchanting. It just draws you in. She’s definitely an exciting artist to keep an eye on” Eve Blair – BBC Radio Ulster

“A fantastic album” RTE Arena

“Steadily emerging as a rising star on the Irish contemporary and alt folk scene.”  The Irish Times

“Dani Larkin’s songs are mesmeric and tied to the old Gaelic world.” Stuart Bailie // Belfast Telegraph

Doors 7.30pm | Unreserved Seating/Standing 

Rescheduled from OTL ’22 

“This is an examination of madness and loss,” says Brian Christinzio, the inimitable force behind BC Camplight. “I hope it starts a long overdue conversation.”

Fired by his ongoing battle with mental illness, Shortly After Takeoff is the final, and finest, chapter of what Christinzio calls his “Manchester Trilogy”, following 2015’s How To Die In The North and 2018’s Deportation Blues.

All three albums were created after the native Philadelphian had moved to Manchester. Like Deportation Blues, Shortly After Takeoff spans singer-songwriter classicism, gnarly synth-pop and ‘50s rock’n’roll, with Christinzio’s similarly distinctive, flexible vocal carrying a fearless approach to lyrical introspection, but the new album is a major leap forward in songwriting sophistication and lyrical communication.

The album has alreadfy been revered by critics, become a stalwart on the BBC Radio 6 Music playlist, and put BC Camplight back on the stage where he belongs. With a slew of tours and festivals on the horizon Christinzio, a remarkably relentless entertainer, will bring his immense new live show to the UK and Europe.

“It’s no fun giving an audience a standard show that they can get elsewhere” explains Christinzio. “Sometimes it’s intense, sometimes it’s emotional, sometimes it’s basically a fucking stand-up routine. I always like to involve the audience and make it memorable for everyone involved. I think we are one of the best live bands in the world and it’s an odd feeling finally getting an opportunity to get in front of loads of ears and eyes. In a perfect world I’d be able to organise a concert on the roof of the Home Office one day”.

Doors 7:30pm | Standing/Seated

Rachel Sermanni is a Scottish based singer/songwriter who makes the mundane moments mystical: shock-positive pregnancy tests in train-station toilets, coffee machine breakages, cold river swims, the regret of not saying ‘I love You’, the moon and how it pulls, bare feet on wood floors, the soft glow of a house plant, ‘what even is consciousness?’, strange dreams lingering in quiet mornings.

She brims with dreamy indie-folk pop that speak of the struggle and desire to flow, to love, to live, to feel. Sometimes, her songs speak of the rare moments of quiet-still, found in the midst of this struggle and desire. Rachel is a Jellyfish. Surrendering to the currents of the big sea.

Doors 7.30pm | Unreserved Seating

Seolfaidh Inni-K an t-albam nua s’aici, Iníon, agus seolfaidh Éanna Ó Cróinín an t-albam úr s’aige, Píobaireacht na Mí.

Inni-K

Named by RTÉ.ie as “one of ten fierce women defining Irish culture”, Inni-K’s music draws on her extensive background in folk and traditional Irish music, as she ventures into new musical territories. Her songwriting career combines her unique approach to her craft with deft musicianship, evocative lyrics and ethereal vocals.

Inni-K’s new album of arranged sean-nós song Iníon sets out to create a re-hearing, in a way, of something dear, something essential, and in doing so, she has – with fellow collaborators – created a bold, new and contemporary experience of sean-nós song for her listener.

‘One of Ireland’s most exciting artists” Irish Times

Éanna Ó Cróinín

Tógadh Éanna Ó Cróinín i gceartlár na Gaeltachta, i Ráth Chairn, Co. na Mí. D’fhás sé aníos le cultúr gaelach, sheimhir na háite siúd, i measc amhránaithe agus damhsoirí sean-nóis, scéalaithe agus ceoltóirí na Gaeltachta. Thosnaigh sé ag foghlaim an cheol ar an fheadóg stáin ag aois an-óg, agus thóg sé dúshlán an phíb uillinn ar féin ag aois deich mbliana. D’fhoghlaim sé ceird an phíb i gclub na bpíobairí uillinn, NPU, i mBaile Átha Cliath, faoi choimirce Nollaig Mac Cárthaigh, Mic O’Brien, Seán óg Potts, Robbie Hannon agus go leor eile.

(2nd floor concert hall, no lift access, bring your own)

Doors 8.15pm | Unreserved Seating

Rescheduled from OTL ’22

By the age of 17, Ruth McGinley had already gained widespread recognition as one of Ireland’s leading pianists, winning countless accolades including both the piano finals of both the BBC and RTÉ Young Musician of the Year awards. Since then, her career has been wide-ranging and daring, collaborating with some of the most acclaimed teachers and musicians working today, and straying from the typical classical-pianist journey.

The Derry native studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Royal Academy in London before being awarded a Postgraduate in Solo Performance from the Royal College in London. She has performed as soloist with many orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra and as a solo recitalist throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Ruth broadcasts regularly for BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, BBC Radio Ulster and RTE, and was honoured to be invited to perform as soloist at the BBC Proms in the Park.

But it is perhaps the spaces between where Ruth’s interests really lie. A determination to walk her own path, Ruth’s love of music goes far beyond the classical world. A highly sought-after collaborator, Ruth works with musicians from many backgrounds including jazz, folk, electronic and other.

This concert programme will feature classical works by Arvo Pärt, Erik Satie, Chick Corea and reimagined folk songs by Neil Martin.

‘Stylistic variety is seamlessly blended throughout in intelligently proportioned playing as sincere as it is supple. More please!’  Michael Quinn, CLASSICAL EAR. 

It was with regret that we’ve received the news that Richard Hawley’s Irish Tour has been cancelled for health reasons.

Richard has sent the following;

‘It is with huge regret that due to unforeseen health issues Richard Hawley has been forced to postpone his Irish tour in May 2022.

He apologizes to all the fans that have bought tickets and promises the shows will be rearranged later in the year.

After a long pandemic and many cancelled shows we are sure everyone can imagine it’s the last thing he wanted to do but it’s unavoidable.

Richard looks forward to being back to full health in the next few months and to be able to fulfill all the dates.

Please look out for further announcements and you will be contacted with rescheduled dates as soon as they are confirmed.’

All tickets are currently being refunded.

Very disappointing news to return to after the Easter break but there are still many great shows to be enjoyed at this year’s CQAF and we hope you can join us for a show or two.

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One of the shows we had been most looking forward to in CQAF 2020 was the performance by Richard Hawley. Then COVID-19 struck and the rest is history. We’re delighted therefore to welcome Richard to the closing weekend of CQAF 2022.

Pre-COVID, 2020 had been a landmark year for Richard with his ninth studio album, Further, slamming into the UK album charts at No.3 in the same year he celebrated his twentieth anniversary as a solo artist.

In the two decades that have elapsed since Hawley jettisoned band life, first with The Longpigs and then as Pulp’s guitarist, the 52-year-old songwriter has forged one of the most singular and diverse careers in modern music.

His ability to cut across styles, time and, in some instances, place, is down to Hawley’s deep and intuitive understanding of music itself, his grounding stemming back to his childhood when his father, a musician himself, introduced Richard to country, blues and rock’n’roll.

Talk to him about his blues heroes, and he is likely to list Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup (“the master!”) and Freddie King as personal favourites.

At heart, though, Hawley remains in love with rock’n’roll in its purest form and he sports the quiff to prove it. “People often ask me why I still have a quiff. I always tell them it’s because I still can,” he deadpans.

His appearance in Belfast promises to be a special show from a musician that has a knack for creating poignant and powerful songs like Tonight the Streets are Ours and The Ocean.

Doors 7:30pm | Unreserved Seating

Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, pianist and cellist. She has a phenomenal mastery for seamlessly crossing the boundaries of classical, jazz, reggae, soul and R&B, to imprint her unique musical signature with her virtuosic tap, strum and bow with her cello into her sound.

An acclaimed and celebrated performer, Ayanna has collaborated with many stellar artists, including Anoushka Shankar, Nitin Sawhney, Andrea Bocelli and Jools Holland. She has also toured extensively across the UK, Europe and the US.

As a composer, Ayanna has been commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, Ligeti Quartet, Kronos Quartet and The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company to name but a few. She was also selected as an arranger/orchestrator for the London Symphony Orchestra (Hugh Masekela, Belief) and the BBC Symphony Orchestra (Urban Classic).

Ayanna has released three EPs and put out her debut album Road Runner in 2019, with its two subsequent singles Nothing Less and Crossroads. With her January 2021 surprise-released EP Rise Up, Ayanna again combined reggae, classical, jazz and R&B to celebrate black culture and identity to uplift and inspire the next generation. The stunning collection of three tracks and videos featuring Akala on Rise Up, Cleveland Watkiss on Declaration Of Rights and the Rise Up Riddim have received a huge amount of critical acclaim.

Many of Ayanna’s remarkable tracks have received airplay on radio stations, including BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, 2, 3, 4, 6, BBC Radio London, BBC Manchester, Jazz FM and Scala Radio. Her TV credits include BBC One, London Live, Channel 4 (Sing It Loud: Black and Proud), BBC Proms and a stunning performance on Later…with Jools Holland (BBC One).

2021 has been a stellar year for Ayanna. She is currently working on her sophomore album and collaborating with Solem Quartet as part of their Beethoven Bartok Now series. 2021 also saw Ayanna returning to the live stage, headlining at London’s iconic Jazz Café and Kings Place. She also made additional performances supporting Nubiyan Twist on their UK tour, participating in ‘Jazz Voice’ (the opening of the London Jazz Festival) at the Royal Festival Hall and a 22-date US tour with Opera superstar Andrea Bocelli.

As a performer of extraordinary versatility, Ayanna’s live shows are intimate journeys that chronicle her experience as a female artist in the 21st century. Due to her musical prowess, mesmerising vocals, non-compromising lyrics, and ability to deftly reinterpret songs on the cello. Ayanna Witter Johnson is the very definition of eclectic soul.

Doors 7.30pm | Unreserved Seating/ Standing 

 

Rescheduled from OTL ’22

Gwenifer Raymond began playing guitar at the age of eight shortly after having been first exposed to punk and grunge. After years of playing around the Welsh valleys in various punk outfits she began listening more to pre-war blues musicians as well as Appalachian folk players, eventually leading into the guitar players of the American Primitive genre.

In 2017 she released her first single Sometimes There’s Blood and released her debut album You Never Were Much of a Dancer in June of 2018 to worldwide acclaim.

What followed was much international touring. Gwenifer headlined shows across much of Europe, debuted at several summer festivals including Green Man, Black Deer, Supernormal, Shambala to name but a fraction. She also played a number of support slots for artists such as Michael Chapman, Michael Hurley, Xylouris White and Charlie Parr.

The release of Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain has been highly anticipated after Gwenifer’s debut album, You Were Never Much of a Dancer, received critical acclaim from numerous publications including The Guardian.

Listeners who enjoyed her unmistakable virtuosity on the guitar and banjo, as well as the adventurous musical journey her debut album travelled through, can expect nothing less from this new release.

Doors 7.30pm | Unreserved Seating

Celebrating 20 years of action, Explosion Sound System, Belfast’s greatest purveyors of all things Reggae and Dub are having a night of bass-heavy sounds in the Ulster Sports Club.

Joining them for the night will be the legendary Ras Tenda, (Roots Tradition Round Beat Sound System).