Hot Press Sessions

With a line-up boasting the likes of David Kitt, Mundy, Nina Hynes and Damien Dempsey, it’s no wonder that Trinity’s Edmund Burke Theatre was jammers.

First up was the rather stunning Louise Byrne, a relative newcomer to the scene, equipped with the mandatory acoustic guitar, soft, sweet vocals and songs that should make her one to watch out for this year.

The brilliant Nina Hynes commanded the stage as usual, like the musical lovechild of Cyndi Lauper, and Northside poet Damien Dempsey brought things down to earth with his beautiful, lamenting ballads.

The surprise of the evening came via a guest slot by Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan, who warmed up for their Olympia show later that evening with ‘Volcanoes’, a track taken from Rice’s debut LP, O.

Mundy upped the tempo somewhat, lightening the mood with a song about gin and tonic skies – you have to give the boy credit, there aren’t many around who can pull off that kind of metaphorical stunt and get away with it.

Kittser rounded off the proceedings with style despite mid-song tunings and the odd misplaced pun, concluding an evening that showcased some of the finest talents in Ireland.