MacD on Music: Gigs, gigs and more gigs

Derry has long been the forgotten city when it comes to big name concerts. We had a brief glimmer of hope with the City of Culture in 2013 and the building of the Venue but, for some bizarre reason, that was taken down after a year.

Now, however, Derry (and the north of Ireland in general) seems to be reclaiming it’s rightful spot as one of the go-to locations for great music. Just this past weekend, we had Parker launching their much-anticipated debut album, ‘Never Let This Go’ in Bennigan’s on Friday night and the brilliant Jake Bugg headlining the Buncrana Festival on Saturday.

Things certainly seem to be on the upswing gig-wise. 

This week, I’m going to be looking at some (more) of the brilliant upcoming gigs over the next few months.

Frances Black

The Black family are legends of Irish music, and this year sees the return of Frances Black to our fine city. Over the course of almost four decades, Frances Black has worked with such brilliant artists as Nanci Griffith, Kieran Goss and, of course, the Black Family. As well as this, she is a twice-elected member of Seanad Éireann (most recently winning her bid for re-election in 2020). On the 26th August this year, Frances will be playing St. Augustine’s in what is sure to be a wonderful night of music.

For those wanting more of the Black stuff, Frances’s sister, the legendary Mary Black plays the Millennium Forum on the 11th November.

Melter

Our second gig takes place in Sandino’s, home of some of the best music this town has to offer. On Sunday 16th July, Melter will be headlining one of the best line-ups of the summer. In what will, without a doubt, be one of the gigs of the summer, the night features support from Dirty Faces, TRAMP and The Marra. Seriously, and I cannot emphasize this enough, Do! Not! Miss! This! Gig!

T’Pau

Music Capital has been responsible for some of the best gigs in Derry in recent times (see also: entries one, four and five on this list), and, this November, will be bringing the legendary T’Pau to St. Columb’s Hall. With classics like ‘China In Your Hand’ and ‘Heart and Soul’, the 24th November is yet another can’t-miss night for music lovers, with support from Spandex Ballet. 

Also, for those interested, T’Pau’s most recent studio album, 2015’s ‘Pleasure and Pain’, can still be found in Cool Discs.

Ralph McTell

This November sees yet another musical icon make his return to the city. Folk legend Ralph McTell has been going strong for almost sixty years now, and will be playing the Guildhall on the 9th November this year. Although best known for the classic ‘Streets of London’, Ralph McTell is also responsible for the brilliant ‘From Claire to Here’, the ballad of Irish emigration that has been covered by, among others, Nanci Griffith (on the album ‘Other Voices, Other Rooms’).

This gig will also feature music from his new album, ‘From There to Here’, an album that is “an evocation of Ireland, it’s music and culture”.

Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri

Elton John’s touring career may be winding down, but his former duet partner, the brilliant Kiki Dee, is still going strong. Next March will see Kiki and guitarist Carmelo Luggeri play an acoustic show in St. Augustine’s featuring songs from their most recent collaboration ‘The Long Ride Home’, as well as classics such as ‘Amoureuse’, ‘I Got The Music In Me’, ‘Loving and Free’ and more. This is a chance to see a true music legend up close and personal, so be sure to get tickets early ahead of the gig on the 1st March next year.

Rock For Pride

Finally, on the 27th July this year, Sandino’s will be hosting Rock For Pride, celebrating 30 years of Foyle Pride. With headliners Dirty Faces, the gig will also feature support from Tom Cat, The Marra, String Cut Puppets, Emily McCormick and Aine Sweeney and has a £5 minimum donation, all in support of a brilliant cause.

Other Gigs

Of course, there’s countless other brilliant gigs taking place in the city and beyond. Unfortunately, I can’t write about them all, so here’s the highlights.

The Clameens play Sandino’s on the 20th August, with support from TRAMP, Tessio and Tomcat. Also, Waldorf & Cannon will be playing Bennigan’s on the 21st of July, Hothouse Flowers will be returning to the Guildhall on the 28th December and finally, The Minnows will be playing their rescheduled show in Sandino’s on the 14th October with support from Polar Bolero.

Now, onto other business. Michelle Dowd (this year’s first interviewee) has just released the video for her single ‘Love is Love’. Both the song and the single are out now.

Finally, time for the socials. Once again, this is a big list, so get comfortable.

Frances Black can be found on Facebook and Instagram @francesblack1, Melter can be found @meltertheband, TRAMP @thisistramp, Dirty Faces @dirtyfacesderry, The Marra @themarra_band, T’Pau @tpaucaroldecker, Ralph McTell @ralphmctellofficial, Tomcat @tomcat_band, String Cut Puppets @stringcutpuppets, Emily McCormick @eebsmcceebs, Áine Sweeney @aine_sweeney, The Clameens @theclameens, Tessio @tessio_, Waldorf & Cannon @waldorf_and_cannon, Hothouse Flowers @hothouse_flowers, The Minnows @theminnowsband and Polar Bolero @polarbolero.