Dublin's Smithfield is set to become the home of 'The Cooler', a new venue catering to jazz and improvised music.
The Cooler, situated within The Complex, is due to officially open at this year's MusicTown festival, which takes place from July 27th to 30th.

Developed from a former Fyffes banana-ripening unit, The Cooler  has been open as a community-driven creative space for rehearsal and professional workshops since January 2023.

Equipped with a fully stocked bar and state-of-the-art performance facilities, the site's launch will feature a diverse range of musical talents on the weekend of July 29-30.

Saturday will see Hozier collaborator ZASKA, featured Van Morrison vocalist Dana Masters, electro-jazz beatmaker from H-Ci and pianist Izumi Kimura.

Sunday’s lineup includes Michael Buckley’s jazz quartet and The Carole Nelson Trio.

MusicTown's Creative Director, Leagues O’Toole, expressed excitement about the launch of the new venue, "In our ongoing struggle to find new spaces to perform in Dublin it’s really exciting to include the launch of a new venue in this year's MusicTown line-up, ” he said. “ These two shows are just the beginning of an ongoing exciting programme for The Cooler, which is good news for everyone."

 

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Caitríona O’Mahony of IMC added that "It's fantastic to be working with The Complex to make a new hub for jazz and improvised music happen at The Cooler”. She also said a new venue was “something Ireland's jazz and improvising musicians have been crying out for at least 20 years.”

Elsewhere, MusicTown 2023 boasts an exciting range of local talent, featuring artists such as Anna Mieke, Paddy Keenan,  Paddy Hanna, Elaine Malone, Junior Brother, Iona Zajac, Adrian Crowley, Qbanaa and more.

The acts, curated by Improvised Music Company (IMC), Dublin Digital Radio & Crash Ensemble, are set to perform under one roof within The Complex throughout the event.

Further details on MusicTown, including booking tickets, can be found on the festival's website.