Musical gems to be celebrated at Galway’s annual arts extravaganza

There are plenty of musical gems to unearth at this year’s Galway International Arts Festival.

Live Live Cinema (July 21 and 22) promises to be one of these, where a group of performers playing at red-hot speed play a live score of Little Shop of Horrors. Pitched as ‘the ultimate live cult film experience’, the concert is directed by Oliver Driver. Tickets €16 – €18.

Expect some majestic fiddle playing when Colm Mac Con Iomaire plays Róisín Dubh on Monday, July 20. A founding member of The Frames, Colm released his second album this year, the follow up to the truly superb The Hare’s Corner.  Mark this gig as unmissable.

Also playing in the Róisín are the up and coming All Tvvins (July 16th, €16/€14), who are being tipped for big things. The duo have opened for Arcade Fire and the Pixies.

Fans of folk and Americana are in for a treat with The Young Folk and The Lost Brothers double bill. (€16/€14).

Jape make a welcome return on July 18 (€16/€14), riding high after releasing one of 2015’s best albums so far.

If you can, be sure to check out Aldoc in Monroe’s Live on Thursday, July 23. With members from Germany, Tallaght, New Zealand and Holland, they fuse world music, trad and reggae into a sound that’s all their own. Tickets are €15/€10.