Event of the week
Them
Until Saturday, February 24th, Kerlin Gallery, Dublin, kerlingallery.com
Guggi’s new exhibition is charged with memories of his late father, Robbie Rowan, and the house on Dublin’s northside that he grew up in. The artist’s personal archive of collected objects, which over the decades included cars, motorbikes and truck containers – “anything on wheels”, says Guggi, who in a previous life performed in the avant body-shock band the Virgin Prunes – were photographed and then layered with Guggi’s signature painted processes. The result is a profound autobiographical display of work that reflects on the ties that bind and the objects – meaningless to some, integral to others – that impact on our lives.
Gigs
Hi, How Are You Day!
Monday, January 22nd, Sugar Club, Dublin, 8pm, €25, sugarclub.com
The US singer and songwriter Daniel Johnson died in 2019, but his legacy as an outsider artist lives on through his music and visual art. This annual event, held on Johnson’s birthday and hosted by the Irish musicians, songwriters and singers Jerry Fish and MayKay, is named after Johnson’s 1983 album – which, like most of his 1980s work, was first released on cassette. Expect songs from across his back catalogue performed not only by the hosts but also by guest singers.
Bring Me the Horizon
Tuesday, January 23rd, 3Arena, Dublin, 6.30pm, €71, ticketmaster.ie
Bring Me the Horizon celebrate 20 years together by releasing their new album, Post Human: Next Gen, which continues the Sheffield band’s shift in style from hardcore and thrash metal to incorporate elements of electronica, hip hop, and – far from it they were raised – pop music. Ardent fans shouldn’t be overly concerned, however: the band still smash it whenever they play live. They’re supported by the US rock band Bad Omens and the UK singer Cassyette and Static Dress.
TradFest 2024
From Wednesday, January 24th, until Sunday, January 28th, various venues, times and prices, Dublin, tradfest.com
Other festivals looking to improve gender representation would be well advised to take a look at the range of acts at this year’s TradFest, Ireland’s largest jamboree of trad and folk music. Highlights are plentiful, with must-see events from start to finish. Good bets include Remembering Ronnie, featuring the Dubliners singer’s son, Phelim (Draíocht, Blanchardstown, Wednesday, January 24th), Ralph McTell with Lúnasa, Declan O’Rourke, Camille O’Sullivan and Tom Paxton (National Stadium, Thursday, January 25th) and Transatlantic Women, featuring Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Alison Brown, Aoife O’ Donovan, Eileen Ivers and more (National Stadium, Saturday, January 27th).
The Big Irish Times Quiz of 2024
The Oscars aren’t fair. Just look at what’s happening to Cillian Murphy
The Young Offenders Christmas Special review: Where’s Jock? Without him, Conor’s firearm foxer isn’t quite a cracker
Restaurant of the year, best value and Michelin predictions: Our reviewer’s top picks of 2024
Comedy
Film Reads: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Thursday, January 25th, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, 8pm, €22, paviliontheatre.ie; Friday, January 26th, Moat Theatre, Naas, Co Kildare, 8pm, €16, moattheatre.com
The parody comedy team of Dreamgun Film Reads – Stephen Colfer, Gavin Drea and James McDonnell – rewrite their favourite movies and make sure no scripted stone is unturned when it comes to tickling the funny bone. They conjured up their award-winning Harry Potter parody as part of Dublin Fringe Festival a few years ago, and since then it has contributed to the team’s commercial and critical success. Expect a decent-ish version of the film plot, albeit with dry wit and some very amusing digs at the Potter universe/phenomenon.
Leeside Laughs
Friday, January 26th, Everyman Theatre, Cork, 8pm, €27, everymancork.com
Laura O’Mahony hosts an evening with Mike Rice, Shane Clifford, Martin Angolo, Tadhg Hickey and the invaluable pair of Alison Spittle and Kiri Pritchard-McLean. Spittle, as Irish audiences are well aware, is a queen of the astute observational one-liner; Pritchard-McLean, the Welsh comedian and writer, is an established figure on the UK comedy scene who in 2020 won the Caroline Aherne bursary. Go see it.
Exhibitions
Cultural Reflections from the Water’s Edge
Until Saturday, January 27th, Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, Co Louth, highlanes.ie
As befits a provincial art gallery, the Highlanes is acutely aware that, amid the regular touring exhibitions, part of its role is to represent its area too. Cue Cultural Reflections, which features works by local artists and by others who have visited and been captivated by the scenery of the Boyne Valley. Work by contemporary artists such as Fiona Kerbey, Jason McCarthy and James Sherlock sits alongside equally vibrant work by Nano Reid, Laurence Fagan, John Cassidy, Bea Orpen and Thomas Markey. Visiting artists’ work includes Drogheda 1970, by LS Lowry, and Boyne Viaduct, Drogheda, by Henry George Roper-Curzon.
Podcast
The Blindboy Podcast
Monday, January 22nd, and Tuesday, January 23rd, Vicar Street, Dublin, 7.30pm, €33, ticketmaster.ie
There are many subjects under the sun – and, presumably, just as many hiding in the shade – that Blindboy Boatclub chooses to discuss with his podcast guests. Recent topics have included pigs, saints, haircuts and bicycles in Tulla town; humanistic psychology in the myth of King Midas; and a mental-health plan for the new year – while recent guests have included the Manchester guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr, the author and activist Naomi Klein, and the writer Patrick McCabe. In other words, whoever Blindboy’s guests are on the night, and whatever the topic, you’re in for a mind-buzzing treat.
Still running
Screendance in the Gallery
Until Sunday, January 28th, Limerick City Gallery of Art, gallery.limerick.ie
Curated by Light Moves, Screendance in the Gallery features a series of installations by notable artists working in the areas of visual art, dance and film. Included is a remarkable two-channel video installation by Bárbara Wagner and Benjamin de Burca, Swinguerra, which was developed with dancers from Brazil.
