The Sugarloaf Sessions: Music-learning platform TuneClub celebrates launch with immersive new experience for aspiring trad musicians

TuneClub, a groundbreaking platform founded in Ireland, is offering a bold new approach to learning music. The aim is to bridge the gap between digital learning and real-world participation, to equip budding musicians with the skills, confidence and connections needed to thrive creatively, and fully embrace the wonders of live performance. To celebrate its launch, TuneClub has announced its first music experience, The Sugarloaf Sessions (taking place in Bray, Co. Wicklow from April 25–27) – and an exciting €250,000 Creator Fund.

The Sugarloaf Sessions

The innovative new festival, specifically designed for adult learners of traditional Irish music, embraces the central TuneClub mission: helping players build up their confidence and abilities, so that they can participate in sessions, master new skills, and make meaningful musical connections.

The experience begins at home, with learners practising, and engaging with others, through the new TuneClub app. They'll then be ready to bring their skills to life in Bray, at an immersive, in-person event with other like-minded musicians.

Created by Tim Doyle and Rachael Duffy, supported by technology from TuneClub, and featuring expert tutor guidance from Liz Doherty of I Teach Trad, The Sugarloaf Sessions serves as a friendly, supportive space to refine your session-playing skills through workshops, sessions and various other events. Whether you’re returning to music after a break, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tunes, or are simply nervous about joining sessions, this is a unique opportunity to conquer your concerns, and take your playing to the next level.

Although primarily aimed at those with at least two years of playing experience, The Sugarloaf Sessions is also offering a ‘Couch to 5 Tunes’ learning pathway for beginner tin whistle players, with no prior experience needed.

The Sugarloaf Sessions offers a fantastic opportunity to make a serious leap forward in your understanding of how trad sessions work – and how to make the most of them as a means towards personal musical growth as well as the wonderful shared experiences they offer.

Early bird registration for The Sugarloaf Sessions is now available at €150 here.

Early bird tickets are available until Friday, March 28.

Making music-learning "more immersive, social, and rewarding"

Open to learners and creators across a wide range of abilities and backgrounds, TuneClub describes itself as a ‘phygital’ platform, embracing both physical and digital elements. In effect, learners prepare in advance for live experiences – including festivals, jam sessions, workshops, masterclasses, and concerts – with structured pathways, interactive tools, and personalised feedback, allowing them to arrive at in-person events feeling confident, and ready to engage – and to play.

“Our vision is to make music-learning more immersive, social, and rewarding,” comments Gabe Moynagh, founder of TuneClub. “We don’t want learners just practicing in isolation – we want them gearing up for real sessions, festivals, and meaningful performances.

“We want learners to arrive ready to focus on expression and collaboration instead of feeling left behind in sessions,” he adds. “By integrating digital preparation with live experiences, we’re giving both learners and creators a new way to engage with music.”

TuneClub founder Gabe Moynagh

TuneClub Creator Fund

To support and encourage music educators, innovators and event organisers to develop exciting new learning-driven opportunities, TuneClub is also unveiling a €250,000 Creator Fund. The fund aims to help ‘music experience creators’ incorporate digital learning aspects into their events, ensuring participants arrive better prepared, and ready to play.

The fund is open to:

• Music educators and masterclass hosts who want to scale their teaching into structured digital courses.
• Festival/event organisers looking to enhance participation engagement through pre-event learning.
• Innovators in music education creating curated masterclasses, concert-led workshops, or music travel adventures.

Applications are open now for direct or co-funding support, with successful applicants set to receive financial support to access TuneClub’s digital infrastructure for learning materials, ticketing, and community-building. Their events may be fully hosted on TuneClub, or co-promoted across the platform’s user-base, connecting creators to a wider international audience.

Empowering both music experience creators and learners at various stages in their journeys, TuneClub is already shaking up the music-learning world with its thrilling new pathways, experiences and opportunities – reminding us all of the importance of community and innovation, when it comes to live music.

For more information about TuneClub and The Sugarloaf Sessions, see tuneclub.com