Rhiannon Giddens, The Mary Wallopers, Daithí and more to feature in new series Cumasc: Seisiúin sa Black Gate

TG4 and The Black Gate Culture Centre in Galway have teamed up to present a new 12-part music series – featuring performances and insights from exciting selection of talent based on these shores. Cumasc: Seisiúin sa Black Gate will be available to watch on the TG4 Player from the February 11.

The performances in the series were filmed live at The Black Gate, while behind-the-scenes footage and interviews were shot in a variety of locations around Galway.

The series kicks off with Grammy-award-winning American musician, Rhiannon Giddens, Italian composer, Francesco Turrisi, and Connemara-born sean-nós singer, Róisín Elsafty.

The series also features the likes of Daithí Ó Drónaí, Suzanne Savage, Sam Amidon, John Conneely, Síomha, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Niwel Tsumbu, Eamonn Cagney, Rachael Lavelle, Peter Broderick, Seamus Begley, Junior Brother, Seamie O’Dowd, Daoirí Farrell, Anna Mullarkey, New Jackson, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Arborist, John Blek, Inni-K, Jinx Lennon and The Mary Wallopers.

“We are so proud that Cumasc: Seisiúin sa Black Gate is Black Gate Production's very first television commission," comments producer Mairéad Ní Thréinir. "We are proud that it stems organically from our venue's unique relationship with musicians and artists from all over Ireland and abroad. We are especially proud to showcase our deep respect for our native tongue."

Cumasc was commissioned commissioned for TG4 under the BAI’s Live Music Sector funding stream.

"This initiative was created to support a sector that was – and still is – severely suffering under the constraints of the pandemic," Ní Thréinir continues. "The production of this series not only created opportunities for musicians and production crew, but also enabled us to re-train live-performance crew in television production.

"For me, the most exciting thing about this project was the positive and enthusiastic attitude shown by everyone, crew and cast alike. So familial and encouraging was the atmosphere on set that some artists felt sufficiently supported and inspired to actually create new music specifically for the show. We cannot wait for you to see and hear it all, and we are certain that it will not be the last time that many of our collaborators work together.”

As director Mia Mullarkey notes, Cumasc means "fusion or merger"

"The idea behind our new TV show is innovative and soulful," she adds. "It feels like an antidote to the pandemic blues, watching artists combine their traditions and imaginations to create beautiful musical works for this series.

"For me it has been a real honour collaborating with such talented and diverse musicians, both Irish and international, during the shooting of Cumasc. It was exciting to work with musicians of the stature of Rhiannon Giddens, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Peter Broderick, Niwel Tsumbu and so many others, and I can’t wait to share our 12 episodes with the world."

Watch the trailer for Cumasc: Seisiúin sa Black Gate below: