Culture
03 Apr 20

Music Network unveils lineup with John Doyle and Carole Nelson for new digital performance series

The Butterfly Sessions is a new digital performance series hosted by Music Network, premiering newly-commissioned music.

Carole Nelson, John Doyle, Jonathan Nangle, Deirdre O'Leary, Nick Roth, Laoise Kelly, Mairéad Hickey, Brian Finnegan, Christine Tobin and Peadar Ó Riada are among 24 musicians and composers who will premiere newly-commissioned music in The Butterfly Sessions, Music Network’s new digital performance series.

Music Network has announced 24 musicians and composers who will premiere new pieces of music in the online music performance series The Butterfly Sessions. The 10-week series will feature two premieres each week, kicking off with performances by Grammy-nominated guitarist and composer John Doyle on Wednesday April 8 and critically-acclaimed jazz pianist Carole Nelson on Friday April 10, both at 7.30pm.

Commenting on the curated line-up, Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston said: “We are pleased to announce 24 talented Irish and Ireland-based artists who will compose and perform for our new online performance series The Butterfly Sessions. Music Network has always sought to offer audiences throughout the country the very best in classical, jazz, traditional and roots music,” she continues by saying: “The quality and breadth of this line-up reflects our ambition to continue to find ways to support and celebrate the wealth of musical talent currently in Ireland, whether in a live concert hall setting or from artists’ own homes.”

Other musicians announced include renowned composer and director of Cór Cúil Aodha Peadar Ó Riada (April 15) and the exciting young Italian-born, Ireland-based guitarist Julien Colarossi (April 17). The Butterfly Sessions will also feature highly-regarded concertina player and traditional dancer Caitlín Nic Gabhann (April 22) and master songsmith Ger Wolfe (April 24).

TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year 2020 Laoise Kelly will perform in the online series (April 29) and Irish composer Judith Ring will compose a new piece performed by Australian flautist Lina Andonovska.

Additional compositions include a new work by saxophonist and artistic director of the Yurodny Ensemble Nick Roth with multi-instrumentalist and multi-genre musician Tom Portman bringing roots music to the fore on lap steel guitar. Along with performances of classical compositions, including Crash Ensemble’s Deirdre O’Leary performing new music by Jonathan Nangle (May 15).

Hosted on Music Network’s YouTube channel, the performances will also be shared across all of the organisation’s social media platforms. This new initiative is one of a number of ways in which Music Network will support Irish and Ireland-based artists in the coming weeks during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Be sure to keep supporting our Irish musicians by streaming or puchasing their music. Don't forget to tune into our Lockdown Sessions every evening. Today R&B artist Tolü Makay has been announced as our latest act o – with a live set on the Hot Press Instagram at 7.30pm, tonight, April 3.

You can find the full line-up below.

John Doyle: Wednesday April 8

Carole Nelson: Friday April 10

Peadar Ó Riada: Wednesday April 15

Julien Colarossi: Friday April 17

Caitlín Nic Gabhann: Wednesday April 22

Ger Wolfe: Friday April 24

Laoise Kelly: Wednesday April 29

Judith Ring & Lina Andonovska: Friday May 1

David Munnelly: Wednesday May 6

Christine Tobin: Friday May 8

Niall Vallely: Wednesday May 13