David Keenan: Dispatches from the Bóthar - Galway & Limerick

There are many factors that come into play when a gig becomes real. The type of room, the audience, the form the musicians are in, the heckler or lack of, the scripted or unscripted nature of the show, etc etc. These things can all lend themselves to a particular chain of events unfolding for better or worse.

The performer can’t control outcome, it’s more a matter of showing up and responding to what meets you in the hopes that it’ll work out well for all involved.

That’s been the approach to these nights, embracing the unknown for excitements sake.

We are all gamblers in one way or another!

My next stops on the Modern Mythologies tour were Galway’s Roisin Dubh & Limerick’s Dolans, two different types of gig but both equally fulfilling.

Harmonium player supreme & navigator of the mythical Vandy is Mic Geraghty and Mic was on hand to steer us out west for doors in The Roisin, where The Rosecaps played their vibrant melodies before my set to a intrigued audience.

I can attest to their enthusiasm and general soundness having chatted with them after the gig. They have a growing catalogue of tunes and you should give them listen.

My own set played out to a barrage of sing alongs, laughter, and a call for 'Lawrence of Arcadia' which myself and Bouzouki Boyo D Faulkner sussed out quickly in the moment before launching in.

Next thing it’s busking on the floor with the crowd nearby and us all singing a beggar to a beggar cried as Mic G became keeper of the flame, the candle in the apple juice bottle held aloft behind me.

A night full of draíocht and it was a gift to be a part of it!

The next day we breathed in the Salthill morning before Vandy carried us towards Limerick and the iconic Dolans Warehouse near the docks.

Community radio is vital as far as I’m concerned and great advocate for bands starting out so when an invitation came in to play some songs on Limerick’s CCR, in we went to chat and play for John who talked about Moya Brennan’s grace and Peggy Seeger’s indefatigable spirit.

The gig was full of pin drop moments, you can feel people are with you in the spaces in between, you can tell they are listening when those moments are still and full at the same time.

I was taken back by that and the way words were gently sung back during newer choruses.

A listening gig is as much a gift as the sing along gig and I commented on the variety of nights I get to be a part of as we make our way along.

Grá to the Labourers who made musical shapes before my set and to Liamo on sound for making things feel sonically epic.

I felt an inevitable crash coming on the way home, my immune system giving out after the few weeks of outpourings and travel from Kilkenny to Achill to the Alps and back again and so I’ve been doing my best impression of a somnambulist this week, all sniffles and self pity!

Have you ever eaten raw ginger and garlic for a cold? It’s a great deterrent against socialising too but I’ll be match fit for the next leg: Belfast and Donegal on the 7th & 9th of May.