MusicTown: Junior Brother, Paddy Keenan, Anna Mieke and more announced for 2023 programme

The line-up for the 2023 edition of MusicTown has been unveiled – with a collection of artists spanning multiple genres and generations set to perform at The Complex in Dublin from July 27-30.

Over the past seven years, MusicTown's programme has taken place across the city, in studios, parks, churches and concert halls. Described as "an essential inspection and celebration of the state of Irish music in 2023", this year's edition is being condensing into a weekend experience, all housed within the one building.

“In previous years we’ve had more sprawling programmes, but this year, as music in Dublin rapidly spreads its wings post pandemic we wanted to offer a more intense snapshot of what it looks like,” comments MusicTown Creative Director, Leagues O’Toole.

“As our identities as performers, producers, as people change, so too does the framework by which we identify music," he continues. "We are gradually transcending traditional genres. As the rigid identities that once dictated music dissolve we are experiencing a new level of diversity. Each of the 30+ artists performing over the weekend will present their own personal and unique genre, an expression of their story, their dreams and struggles."

Paddy Keenan by Richie Tyndall

The 2023 programme will also feature the launch of the Improvised Music Company's new venue The Cooler – a former Fyffes banana-ripening space within The Complex building. The Improvised Music Company are one of the guest curators of MusicTown 2023, alongside Dublin Digital Radio and Crash Ensemble.

“We invited IMC, DDR and Crash this year because, in creative terms, they are essential services who have been contributing diverse ideas and precious resources to the music landscape in Dublin for many years,” explains Leagues. “The overall programme is our attempt to freezeframe what is happening culturally amongst innovative artists across generations.”

The shows will take place across various spaces inside The Complex building: The Depot, The Cooler, and The Gallery.

Early-bird tickets for all events are on sale now here. The organisers have stated that full price tickets will not exceed €15, with no hidden fees.

Anna Mieke. Credit: Lluís Tudela

See the full line-up below:

THE DEPOT (Thursday, July 27, 7pm):
Anna Mieke / Adrian Crowley / Natalia Beylis & Eimear Reidy / Aoife Wolf

THE DEPOT (Friday, July 28, 7pm):
Junior Brother / girlfriend. / Paddy Hanna / Elaine Malone / Pebbledash

THE DEPOT (Saturday, July 29, 12.30pm):
Qbanaa / Tomike / Moondiver / Emmy Shigeta

THE DEPOT (Saturday, July 29, 8.30pm):
gush / Ria Rua / ALYXIS / I Dreamed I Dream

THE DEPOT (Sunday, July 30, 2.30pm):
Péist / Ian Nyquist / E the Artist

THE DEPOT (Sunday, July 30, 8.30pm):
Paddy Keenan (accompanied by John Francis Flynn & Alan Burke) / Poor Creature / Iona Zajac

THE COOLER (Saturday, July 29, 4.15pm):
Izumi Kimura / Zaska / H-Ci

THE COOLER (Sunday, July 30, 5.15pm):
Carole Nelson Trio / Michael Buckley Quartet

THE GALLERY (July 28, 29 & 30, 7.30pm):
Crash Ensemble