Ancient tradition and groundbreaking innovation were embraced in equal measure last night, as some of the leading lights in homegrown music gathered at the Moat Theatre in Naas, Co. Kildare, for Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists.

Presented by Hot Press and Kildare County Council, with additional support from Kildare Village, the show celebrated the establishment of St Brigid’s Day, or Imbolc, as a new public holiday – which comes as a crucial acknowledgement of the role that women have played in Irish history.

Brigid, the Celtic goddess from whom the Christian saint took her name, was a triple deity of poetry, healing and fire – all which were in high supply throughout the evening, as artists spanning a thrillingly broad range of styles, sounds and influences enthralled the sold-out audience.

Before the on-stage performances kicked off however, DJ Mona-Lxsa was on-hand to expertly soundtrack the buzzing foyer with a specially curated set featuring some of the most forward-thinking artists on these shores – with the sounds of Denise Chaila, Sweetlemondae and more welcoming attendees, including the First Woman, Sabina Higgins, on arrival.

Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Across the road, meanwhile, a special showing of Nothing Compares, Kathryn Ferguson’s acclaimed documentary about Sinead O’Connor, was being held in St David’s Church, with the director taking part in a Q&A via live link, and Megan O’Neill and Mary Stokes sharing powerful covers of some of Sinead’s most beloved songs. There was also action underway at The Potato Market in the centre of the town, with rapidly rising star KK Lewis playing a pop-up show.

With ticket sales revenue from the Moat Theatre show going to Teach Tearmainn, a Kildare-based charity working to end domestic violence, the spirit of the occasion, and a recognition of the multifaceted nature of womanhood, was embraced by everyone in the venue. As such, as the action kicked off on-stage – with the ever-charismatic Trishauna Archer at the helm as MC – the entire room was instantly engaged, and completely open to the many musical twists and turns the night would take.

Fresh from her performance at St David’s Church, Megan O’Neill set the tone for the night, with a set that showcased the raw talent and emotional depth at the heart of her songwriting – provoking more that a few tears in the crowd with ‘Ireland’, a love letter to her home that felt particularly fitting for the occasion.

Gemma Dunleavy’s performance also embodied the theme of the evening, paying homage to the rich heritage of the Irish past with her harp accompaniment, as well as her own personal history in the close-knit community of Dublin’s north inner city with immersive field recordings – while also looking to the future, in her R&B-influenced sound and vision.

Gemma Dunleavy at Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists in Naas, Kildare. February 1st, 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Of course, the road to getting Brigid’s Day officially recognised as a public holiday was a long one, and so, it felt fitting that Laura Murphy, Herstory’s poet-in-residence, who played a central role in the campaign, was also present at the Moat Theatre. She took to the stage on the night to perform her powerful spoken-word piece ‘Is Mise Bríd’ – honouring the way in which the spirit of Brigid continues to live on in Irish women.

That spirit was also evident in the next guest, with Susan O’Neill’s warm, soulful vocals and phenomenal musical chops on dazzling display. Incorporating multiple instruments into her performance, as well as her classic loop pedal technique, the Co. Clare artist capped off her set with a moving ode to her niece, which, as she pointed out herself, felt apt, as part of a celebration of Irish women.

The show-stopping vocals didn’t end there of course, with Tolu Makay – backed by guitarist Max Zaska – also showcasing the remarkable range of her artistry. Instantly commanding the room with the sheer power and eloquence of her voice, she brought a near prayer-like energy to her set with opener ‘Atuwaba’, a song penned by the late Afrobeat great Tony Allen.

Tolu Makay at Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists in Naas, Kildare. February 1st, 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Stepping up from front row seat, Sabina Higgins kept the air of creativity alive with striking readings of specially selected poems – the first, ‘On Making The Three Decades’, written by her husband, President Michael D. Higgins, to celebrate their daughter Alice-Mary Higgins’ birthday. Once again, it served as a crucial reminder of just how unique a country Ireland can be, at its best, in its profound relationship with poetry and music across all aspects of society – including the highest office in the land.

Sabina Higgins at Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

There was space to celebrate Ireland's traditional music, too – with renowned blues singer Mary Stokes performing a haunting a cappella version of 'I Am Stretched On Your Grave', inspired by Sinead O'Connor's 1990 rendition.

And no celebration of women in Irish music would be complete without recognising the lasting influence of  'Only A Woman's Heart' – the Eleanor McEvoy-penned track the featured on, and gave it's name to, the best-selling Irish album of all time. The song was imbued with fresh energy, as the iconic Irish singer-songwriter led the audience in a genuinely moving sing-a-long. Armed with her electric guitar, her set also featured a compellingly raw, and ever-timely, cover of the 1965 anthem 'Eve Of Destruction'.

Of course, if Brigid is a force that transcends simple definitions, but remains intrinsically interwoven into the very fabric of Irish life, no one could embody that spirit as the final performer of the night quite like Imelda May.

Imelda May at Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists in Naas, Kildare. February 1st, 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Her grief for her close friend, Jeff Beck, was still fresh as she stepped on stage, with the singer physically taken aback after hearing her former collaborator described as 'the late Jeff Beck' in her opening introduction. But her vulnerability about her pain only made the connection between the Dublin star and her audience feel closer, as though we were sitting down with a friend – a friend, of course, that happens to have one of the most enthralling voices in the country. In fact, it's a voice that has only grown more resonate and distinctive with time, with her jazz and blues-informed approach, backed only by guitarist Oliver Darling, particularly well-suited to the intimate setting.

In addition to performances of songs like 'The Girl I Used To Be' from 2017's Life Love Flesh Blood, and a special rendition of 'Molly Malone', Imelda also shared her poetry, including a piece commissioned by Hot Press to celebrate Brigid's Day. Although she told the audience it was a work-in-progress, having thrown the original piece she wrote for the occasion away, the poem was a stunning exploration and celebration of the sentiment behind the entire event – and served as further evidence of the boundlessness of Imelda's creative talents.

Before the night was through, she invited the other performers to return to the stage, to come together for a final rendition of 'Only A Woman's Heart'. Spanning genres and generations, the group of performers standing together were a testament to the broad range of experiences and influences that are shaping Irish music right now, and continuing to guide it in fearless new directions.

Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Those nights, when you feel like you've witnessed and been a part of something truly special, are rare. But, whether due to the calibre of the artists present, the unique energy of Brigid's Day, the magic of the intimate venue, or a combination of all three, Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists was that and more – as Megan O'Neill stated herself:

“It’s extremely rare to be part of a night where it’s all women, all around you,” she wrote in a social media post this morning. “I’m not sure everyone realises how inspirational, supportive and moving that can be – knowing you have an empowering, encouraging bunch there who’ve got your back.

“What was created last night was a safe space that allowed everyone to be candid, original, vulnerable and authentic,” she added. “A beautiful event – and a ridiculously talented bunch of women.”

Laura Murphy, Sabina Higgins, Megan O'Neill, Susan O'Neill, Mary Stokes, Imelda May and Tolu Makay at Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists in Naas, Kildare. February 1st, 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.