Mercury Prize-nominated Irish artist Gemma Hayes is set to headline the new indoor festival Mabon in the heart of Tipperary Town at Tipperary Excel Centre this Saturday, October 22, 2022 - presented by CWB.

The singer-songwriter will return to the stage fresh from a summer of festival appearances following an extended six-year hiatus.

She will be performing hits from her acclaimed 2002 debut album Night on My Side, as well as songs from her other folk-pop influenced LPs.

Hayes will be joined on the night by accomplished Cork songwriter Jack O’Rourke, local heavy folk outfit Bog Bodies and Tipperary alt-pop duo Kyoto Love Hotel. Acclaimed Nigerian-Irish poet, performer and playwright FeliSpeaks is set to MC the event, which marks the autumn equinox.

The Irish musician won Best Female Artist at the Hot Press Awards and a Mercury Prize nomination for Night On My Side and has since released four critically acclaimed studio albums and a limited-edition live album. In addition, Hayes has produced material for film and TV, with her rendition of Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game', which was recorded for the US TV show Pretty Little Liars, having reached almost 18 million streams on Spotify alone.

Gemma Hayes has a new "deconstructed folk-pop" album in the works. Its first single 'A Reminder Of Another' is set for release next spring, with the album due out at the beginning of the summer 2023.

Out next show in #Tipperary is #MABON - a gorgeous line up with @gemma_hayes @JackORourkes @FeliSpeaks @KyotoLoveHotel @bogbodiesband on 22nd October - Read all about it ! https://t.co/ipmImjTCsz

— CWB Management (@CWBdotie) October 10, 2022

Who else is performing at Mabon festival this weekend?

Jack O’Rourke first came to prominence with his ode to misunderstood youth and growing up gay, 'Silence', which became a torch song for the Irish Marriage Equality Referendum. The Cork-based songwriter went on to release his 2016 debut album Dreamcatcher to huge acclaim, peaking at No.5 in the Irish album charts.

He has since won the Nashville-based International Songwriting Award and performed his album live with an orchestra at Cork Opera House. His career has included notable collaborations with Glen Hansard at Other Voices, the Irish Chamber Orchestra at Vicar St, vocals with Imelda May, Hot House Flowers and Bell X1. The singer also joined the Freezer Room ensemble at Electric Picnic with the likes of Wallis Bird and Tracy K.

Bog Bodies are a heavy folk band from North Tipperary, who are set to release their debut album Reclaim the Ritual on November 1, 2022. Their eclectic sound and poetic songwriting lies somewhere in-between Rage Against the Machine and Christy Moore, merged with traditional Irish and world music.

The group have released four singles to date and played live sets at festivals including Electric Picnic and the Bealtaine Fire Festival this year, as well as a sold out gig at Temple Bar Tradfest 2022.

Kyoto Love Hotel, the alt-pop duo made up of Joe Geaney and Laura Sheary, hail from Tipperary and formed with the intention of fusing electronic, atmospheric soundscapes with lyrics that explore both real and imaginary worlds, creating a sound that is as expansive as it is personal. The duo have previously performed at The New Colossus Festival in New York, Other Voices, Electric Picnic and Stendhal Festival. The band released their debut EP When Do You Think It Begins in September 2022.

The show is presented by CWB, in conjunction with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media and Tipperary County Council.

Get tickets for Mabon festival at Tipperary Excel Centre this Saturday, October 22, 2022 here. Doors at 7pm.