Latest news with #TheCoronas
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Kaleidoscope review: Texas among the highlights of family-focused festival in Wicklow
'I see a lot of children on shoulders,' Sharleen Spiteri shouts to the crowd. And she's right. From the first strain of I Don't Want A Lover, the main field at Kaleidoscope is wild for Texas. 'Irish children are just like Scottish children,' she says, arms outstretched, feeling the momentum from an adoring audience. Kaleidoscope, the country's family version of Electric Picnic, is celebrating five years and they have struck gold with this main act to mark the milestone. It's just two years since Texas played the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury and Spiteri's stage presence is every bit as electric at Wicklow's Russborough House. There's chat, banter and pure divilment between each song, every interaction peppered with a good natured expletive from the Scottish singer. She throws plectrums to the kids on the field, they in return cast balloons on to the stage. The crowd can't get enough. Sharleen Spiteri and Texas on stage at Kaleidoscope at Russborough House, Co Wicklow. Her voice is as powerful and pitch perfect as it was over three decades ago when they first found fame with the bluesy anthem I Don't Want A Lover. The hits keep coming - Summer Son, Say What You Want - and a floor raising finale: Elvis Presley's Caught In A Trap. With a vibrant green guitar in hand, matching her personality, Spiteri is a dynamic stage presence, and a Kaleidoscope highlight. Other acts over the three-day festival included Ocean Colour Scene, headlining on Friday night, belting out classics The Riverboat Song and The Day We Caught The Train, while The Coronas were the final band to take to the main stage on Sunday night. Day time performances included Jerry Fish's rousing set, The Riptide Movement and an appearance by Cork's Allie Sherlock. The RSA's Seatbelt Sheriff at Kaleidoscope with Cillian Murphy, Luca Murphy and dad Con Murphy. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke The Zozimus music stage became the festival's dancefloor all weekend long, with ABBAesque, Daft Punk Tribute, These Charming Men and DJ sets. Beyond the music, families immersed themselves in family areas and stages, from treehouse building workshops from Dermot Bannon, science experiments with Mark The Science Guy, fire acts by Fierce Fire Show, illustration workshops with Steve Simpson, and baby rave parties with Move with Carla. Budding chefs rolled up their sleeves at the Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food, while the National Reptile Zoo brought along lizards to hold. Strolling through the festival fields, there's storytelling, face painting, big wheels, bumper cars and marching bands. A festival like no other, this is Electric Picnic cool - created with children centrestage.
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
The Coronas review: Voices sweeter than honey ring around Cork ahead of band's Glasto set
A vocal sweeter than a keg of the finest organic honey, Danny O'Reilly was at the top of his game at a memorable night at Cork's legendary tent. What better way for The Coronas to warm up before their Saturday night show in Glastonbury than to wow their loyal fans at Live at the Marquee 2025. This was their ninth time playing the venue. With the reception they get here, you can be sure it won't be their last. The Coronas wowed their loyal fans in Cork at Live at the Marquee 2025 ahead of their Glastonbury set on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson On stage at 9pm sharp. Total pros. At 9.05pm an explosion of confetti: Addicted To Progress. The crowd sings every word. Monster start. "It's great to be back in Cork. Go raibh maith agaibh. Thank you very much," says Danny. At 9:10, a sea of outsized balloons are released and Danny is leaning into the barriers, high-fiving the front row. All girls. Literally not one bloke on the big screen. Apart from Danny. Led by multi-instrumentalist Danny, this Dublin trio is a band of real quality. The other two core members are Graham Knox on bass and Conor Egan on drums. Danny introduces everyone. Róisín O played a support set before The Coronas (led by her brother Danny) before guesting with the band. Picture: Chani Anderson "People are saying to us 'you're playing Glastonbury this weekend', but we've played here so many times that we've played to more people here. "This show is what we look forward to more. "This is our Glastonbury. And give a big Cork welcome to this marvellous singer [and local hero] Cian McSweeney." Fans enjoying The Coronas at Live at the Marquee in Cork on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson Later, he climbs beyond the barriers into the crowd. Singing, mingling. Loads of blokes also on the big screen this time, to be fair. All the hits: Dreaming Again, Closer to You, ' That's Exactly What Love Is, If You Let Me, Give Me a Minute, Just Like That. Always a big reaction to classics like Heroes or Ghosts (the crowd singing this was a real highlight), What a Love, and Addicted to Progress. And, of course, San Diego Song. Confetti cannons explode across the stage as The Coronas ramped up the celebratory atmosphere at Live at the Marquee. Picture: Chani Anderson Touring for the past 20 years, they have released eight hugely successful studio albums — from Heroes or Ghosts in 2007 through to Thoughts & Observations in 2024 — most of which reached No1 in the Irish album charts. From their most recent album, they performed Speak Up, Confirmation, and Ghosting. They're currently working on their ninth studio album. A nod to excellent warmup act, Roísín O, who wowed this crowd. Being Danny's sister, of course, no doubt helped; so too did a belting cover of Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club, but her own material was also powerful. And she guested with The Coronas, soloing beautifully on That's Exactly What Love Is, among others. God-given family harmonies. What a great voice. No surprise — they're Mary Black's children after all. Magic DNA. Magic night. Meet the fans at Live at the Marquee Fans enjoying the concert by The Coronas at Live at the Marquee on Friday evening. Picture: Chani Anderson Pauline Hurley and Norma McKenna arriving at the Marquee for The Coronas' Live at the Marquee gig in Cork on Friday. Picture: Chani Anderson Vanessa Mulcahy, Samantha Mulcahy-Ryan, and Brian and Michelle Hughes at Live at the Marquee in Cork for The Coronas. Picture: Chani Anderson Millie Horgan and Lily Moynihan arriving at Live at the Marquee in Cork for The Coronas. Picture: Chani Anderson Andrew and Niamh Moynihan were at Live at the Marquee in Cork for The Coronas' concert. Picture: Chani Anderson Gary Comane and Sinead Farrelly at the Marquee in Cork for The Coronas' headline gig. Picture: Chani Anderson Holly Prendergast and Becky Prendergast arriving at the Marquee for The Coronas' headline gig. Picture: Chani Anderson . .
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Watch: Coronas answer questions from Cork school children
What would you ask one of Ireland's biggest bands? That was the task given to a class of 5th-class students in Cork – and here are the results. Filmed in Bellsfield, Cork, as they gear up for their Live at the Marquee show, The Coronas take on a series of quick-fire questions from some of their youngest Cork fans.
Irish Examiner
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Picture This keep Good Vibrations going at the Marquee
The clouds were rolling in over Cork, but the vibe was all sunshine and lollipops as the crowds ambled towards the iconic Marquee tent for the first of two homecoming gigs from Picture This. Some 20 years ago, Beach Boy Brian Wilson opened the very first Live at the Marquee with his debut Cork show in 2005. On Wednesday, the Athy pop-rockers stepped into that legacy with the first of two sold-out gigs — bringing their signature mix of stadium-sized emotion and small-town charm back to a stage that's helped define their journey. It was a fitting band to keep those Good Vibrations going. Inside the tent, Gen Alpha and Gen Zs in festival fits mingled with Millennials, with a few Gen Xers dotted about — highlighting the multigenerational appeal the band has quietly cultivated since their 2015 viral debut. Picture This first headlined the Marquee in 2017, selling out both nights, and even played a Cork wedding that same summer after a bride-to-be cheekily propositioned them during a fan Q&A. You can't say they're not a band of their word. Crowds screaming as Picture This perform. Picture: Darragh Kane Another sell-out on Thursday, and the atmosphere was electric, the energy dialled up to the max. 'Are you ready for the best night of your lives, Cork?' frontman Ryan Hennessy roared, and is left in no doubt of the answer. Plus the crowd had a brand new floor to stomp their feet on — perhaps a birthday gift? With this tarmac, Mr Aiken, you are spoiling us. Though Picture This are by now regulars on Irish stages, this gig felt more reflective, more celebratory. With their 2023 album Parked Car Conversations still in rotation and rumours of new music in the pipeline, this set played like a love letter to their fans and a flex of their maturing sound. The pacing, the interaction, the stage production, it was all pitch perfect. Not even an impromptu 'Olé Olé Olé' from the crowd threw them off their beat. They kicked off with a soaring 'Act of Innocence', an arms-aloft statement of inte Margo, Jack, James, and Emma Ryan, Tipperary, at the Marquee. Picture: Darragh Kane nt, and from there, the emotional hooks kept coming. The setlist is heavy on fan favourites, with Hennessy working the crowd with his signature mix of sincerity and swagger. He reminisced about other Cork gigs, riffed with the crowd, continuously thankful for the energy in the room and — more than once — seemed genuinely moved by the raptuous reception. It was a high-energy, emotionally engaging experience that bridges the gap between stadium-scale anthems and intimate crowd connection. Ryan Hennessy's vocals were on point, his bopping stage presence magnetic, and the band leaned into the unique closeness the Marquee offers —turning the tent into a sing-along sanctuary. Picture This returns to the Marquee on Thursday night for round two — likely just as loud, loquacious and loved. A band on fire, and so in tune with their fans. Next up on the Marquee calendar: The Coronas and Christy Moore, followed by a change of pace with comedian Dara Ó Briain. It's shaping up to be a summer to sing about in Cork. Wilson would approve. Here's to the next 20.
Irish Examiner
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Tots to Teens: Kaleidoscope is a festival of family fun
Tickets to Ireland's largest summer family festival are still available. Kaleidoscope, which takes place at Wicklow's Russborough House from July 4 to 6, promises a star-studded lineup of young Irish talent alongside international music headliners. It features seven-year-old social-media sensation Jacob Robinson, 11-year-old DJ Seán M, and 15-year-old Toy Show alumnus DJ Calum Kiernan. The young stars will share the stage with British rock bands Texas and Ocean Colour Scene, as well as Irish musical acts The Coronas and Hermitage Green. Ten areas and stages are dedicated to families, featuring live science shows with Mark the Science Guy, opportunities to get up close and personal with wildlife at Ireland's National Reptile Zoo, arts and crafts with the National Gallery of Ireland, cookery demonstrations and workshops at the Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food, sports and wellness events, circus acts, storytelling, and more. Tickets cost from €39.40 Mystery trail Children who fancy themselves as amateur detectives are invited to solve a series of clues along the Cork Playful Culture Trail this summer. For the fifth year in a row, the trail will offer families an opportunity to explore the city's cultural attractions by following a map, completing 20 interactive activities, and collecting stamps at each stop along the way. The trail runs from June through September and features sites including the Blackrock Castle Observatory, the Butter Museum, Cork City Gaol, Elizabeth Fort, the Glucksman Gallery, Shandon Bells, and more. Visit to download the trail map and the list of activities to do at each attraction. Horse Show Surprise by Nina Carberry A reading hurdle The latest book in Nina Carberry's Rowan Tree Stables series is written for children aged six to nine who have recently learned to read independently. Horse Show Surprise tells the story of Grace and her best friend, Aaron, both of whom love helping out at Rowan Tree Stables, where their ponies are best friends, too. In this fourth instalment, the pair are working hard to qualify to ride at the Dublin Horse Show. But then Aaron falls ill, and Grace suddenly finds herself contemplating the possibility of attending the biggest horse-riding event of the year without her best friend by her side. A crisis at the stable on the morning of the show throws all plans up in the air. Horse Show Surprise (Gill Books) costs €14 Jiminy's bracelet-making kit Bracelet-making kit This rainbow and flower bracelet-making kit from the Irish eco-toy store is an ideal rainy-day activity. It contains enough wooden flowers, rainbow and geometric beads, plus elastics to make 10 bracelets. It's suitable for children aged three and up and costs €25. Mental-health tool Youth mental health organisation Spunout has launched a new digital tool to help young people access mental health support. Navigator was designed in collaboration with the Department of Health and the HSE to make it easier for young people aged 14 to 34 across Ireland to access the help they need. Almost 900 people completed a survey for the project to inform its development, while a committee of 15 provided feedback throughout each stage of the development process. The end result is a simple tool that asks young people three easy questions and then provides a personalised and localised response. This could include curated mental health information and videos; recommendations for expert-approved podcasts, books and mobile apps; or signposting to local and national mental health services.
