25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sharon Shannon, Steve Earle and Mundy among first acts for twentieth Sligo Live
Much loved folk and traditional artist, Sharon Shannon, brings her 'Big Band' show to Sligo Live Festival 2025, with a host of outstanding guests, Steve Earle, Mundy, Camile O'Sullivan and Liam Ó Maonlaí, joining band members including Gerry O'Connor, Richie Buckley and Alan Connor. in a very special Knocknarea Arena ATU show on Saturday, October 25 at 8.30 pm.
Plus, Sligo Live will feature two Hawk's Well shows on Sunday, October 26th. A special afternoon concert sees the return of the amazing Norwegian Daniel Herskedal Trio at 3 pm, followed by an 8pm concert by Americana star, Mary Gauthier and her special guest Jaimee Harris. Tickets for all three shows are available now on-line from and in person or by phone (071) 916 1518 from the Hawk's Well box office.
Following the overwhelming success of her Shane MacGowan tribute, The Sharon Shannon Big Band returns with another powerful and heartfelt production. This October, Sharon and her extraordinary ensemble of musicians and singers—including the legendary Steve Earle, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Mundy and Camille O'Sullivan—celebrate Ireland's world-famous musical tradition.
Drawing from the rich anthology of Irish music and the traditions it has inspired, this show is a vibrant journey through the songs that define us: songs of love and heartache, emigration and longing, resilience and rebellion, and the timeless beauty of Ireland's landscapes. The ensemble breathes new life into cherished old ballads while giving fresh treatments to beloved classics.
A special highlight of the evening will see Sharon, Mundy, and Steve Earle come together on stage to perform the world-famous 'Galway Girl'—a rare moment uniting the artists who each helped make the song a global sensation.
Joining Sharon on stage will be an exceptional line-up of musicians, including Alan Connor, Richie Buckley, and Gerry O'Connor, who each bring their own artistry to create a performance that is intimate and unforgettable. Together, they blend the spirit of traditional Irish music with contemporary creativity, honouring the legacy of our song tradition with power and grace. This is more than a concert -it's a celebration of who we are as a people, and an invitation to experience the deep emotional resonance of Ireland's music. From the poignant strains of our ballads to the raucous joy of our reels and jigs, this show will stir your soul and lift your spirits.
Join The Sharon Shannon Big Band and Guests for an unforgettable evening that bridges past and present, capturing the very heart of Irish life and culture.
In a co-promotion with Music Network and Sligo Jazz Project on the afternoon of Sunday 26th October, prepare to be transported into the extraordinary soundworld of Norwegian composer and brass virtuoso Daniel Herskedal. A true innovator of the tuba and bass trumpet, Herskedal's music is cinematic, deeply expressive, and unlike anything you've heard before. Joined by the incredibly talented Helge Lien on piano and master percussionist Andreas Norbakken, this world-class trio returns to Sligo following a 2022 Sligo Jazz Project performance described by Nils Kavanagh, Young Jazz Musician of that year, as 'truly inspiring and uplifting. A scintillating performance'.
Herskedal has beguiled audiences across Europe with his groundbreaking compositions, pushing the boundaries of his instruments to the limit. His genre-spanning work includes award-winning jazz recordings, major film scores, and creative collaborations that boldly navigate uncharted waters.
Later on Bank Holiday Sunday, October 26th at 8.00pm in Hawk's Well, Sligo Live present an intimate evening with Americana and Alt-Country singer-songwriter, Mary Gauthier, with very special guest, Jamiee Harris.
What lesbian moves to Nashville at 40 to start a troubadour career? Who goes from playing open mics to playing the Newport Folk Festival within a year? It's been 25 years since Mary Gauthier, now revered songwriter, released her groundbreaking debut album 'Drag Queens in Limousines'. Eighteen months later, the response was so incredible that she hung up her chef's coat, moved to Nashville, and started to make her mark as an exciting new voice in the songwriting world.
'Drag Queens in Limousines' is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. It turns out, that's all of us at one time or another. By writing about what matters most to her, having the courage to sing what's often too hard for us to say, and delivering the work authentically, Mary Gauthier opened the gate and widened the path that many who came after her have travelled. Recently, Mary's classic song 'Mercy Now' featured on the major Netflix series 'Yellowstone'. Join us in celebrating twenty-five years of the unique, courageous songs of Mary Gauthier.
Mary's very special guest, Jaimee Harris, is poised to become the next queen of Americana-Folk, a slightly edgier Emmylou Harris for the younger generation. Her new album draws comparisons to Patty Griffin, Ryan Adams, and Kathleen Edwards – all writers who know how to craft a heartbreakingly beautiful song with just enough grit to keep you enthralled. Harris writes about the basic human experience, in a way that is simple, poetic, and often painfully relatable.
General admission standing tickets for Sharon Shannon Big Band are €49.00 plus €3.00 fees and €4.00 plus €3.00 fees for limited reserved seating. Daniel Herskedal are €18.00 plus €2.00 fees. Mary Gauthier Tickets are €29.50 plus €2 fees and all are available on-line now at and in person or by phone (071) 916 1518.
