Welcome to the world of Zorg – and no they’re not the start of an alien invasion

Posted on by Culture Journal Ireland

From the south west of France, via Australia, Africa and then back again. Musically this is where Zorg comes from. From the region of Occitan, the band also perform/sing in their own dialect of the same name, which comes both geographically and linguistically somewhere between France and Spain. You might not think it but in … Continue reading Welcome to the world of Zorg – and no they’re not the start of an alien invasion

Simon McBride Trio give masterclass in the blues

Posted on by Culture Journal Ireland

Having appeared on stage with Queen at the age of 9 you could say that nothing fazes Simon McBride. He has drawn comparisons with the likes of Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore; his high tempo rock/blues palette has won him many fans the world over. On Tuesday however it was to the University of Ulster's … Continue reading Simon McBride Trio give masterclass in the blues

African Queen Kidjo Delights audience in Belfast

Posted on by Culture Journal Ireland

Before this particular reviewer commences this particular review a certain amount of bias must be confessed. In the mid-nineties; while a lot of my peers were listening to hardcore rave or grunge music, artists such as Angelique Kidjo could be found in my fledgling CD collection. Indeed given how long the Beninese songstress has been … Continue reading African Queen Kidjo Delights audience in Belfast

Traditional music’s up and coming stars return home

Posted on by Culture Journal Ireland

World class traditional music came to Derry on Tuesday as two former students made a return visit to their old Alma mater at the university of Ulster's Great Hall at the Mater campus. The Great Hall was packed out to hear Jack Warnock and Eimhear Mulholland, two of Ireland's freshest young talents, who only graduated … Continue reading Traditional music’s up and coming stars return home

Buaine na Gaoithe at Magee

Posted on by Culture Journal Ireland

It was perhaps meteorologicaly appropriate that there was a fresh autumnal breeze blowing and a multicoloured palate of leaves were rustling outside. The performance that was about to be witnessed by a generous gathering in the Great Hall of the University of Ulster's Magee College campus is entitled Buaine na Gaoithe, which roughly translates as … Continue reading Buaine na Gaoithe at Magee

Don Quixote by Ulster Orchestra

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Venezuelan conductor Rafael Payare, like a matador in the bullring, lead and tamed the Ulster Orchestra, accompanied by cellist Alisa Weilerstein during their performance of Richard Strauss' Don Quixote at a packed Guildhall on Derry on Thursday night. The performance was the start of a season of performances by the Ulster Orchestra which will take … Continue reading Don Quixote by Ulster Orchestra

Rossini’s Hidden Extras by Northern Ireland Opera delights audience

Posted on by Culture Journal Ireland

The ornate surroundings of the Londonderry Arms Hotel in Carnlough on the Antrim coast was the setting for some afternoon opera on Saturday. Rossini's Hidden Extras otherwise known as La Cambiale Di Matrimonio) was performed by Northern Ireland Opera as part of the Festival of Voice which took place in various venues throughout the Glenarm … Continue reading Rossini’s Hidden Extras by Northern Ireland Opera delights audience