Continuous Patterns – IMMA – 15/07/23

‘Should we talk about the Weather’ – Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

On Saturday, the Weather Gods were relatively kind to the festival again. There was heavy rain for most of the day, but as the festival opened at 6, it was reduced to the odd shower! Still, for July, there was a wind that would ‘cut through ya’!

The first on the main stage was Cian Nugent and his band. Despite the hype surrounding his latest album, I hadn’t seen him play in many years! While only a small crowd turned up on time to see them perform, it was a lovely set. They would be well worth checking out if they turn up in a small venue some winter’s evening! Ireland’s answer to Jim O’Rourke? Quite possibly.

Ailbhe Reddy (and band) were the next on the main stage.  Ailbhe is a regular on the festival circuit and was in Body & Soul a few weeks earlier. Her blend of indie pop went down well with the audience.

Over in the Garden Terrace, there was an evening of conversations curated by Young Hearts Run Free. This featured some very creative women in the form of Graphic Designer/ Prop Maker Annie Atkins (who worked on the Grand Hotel Budapest) and later choreographer Emma Martin who told of her dream of being a Ballet Dancer.

Talos ended the evening on the main stage. Talos is the recording name of Eoin French, but on the night there were four musicians on stage. The Cork native went from subtle to quite epic during his short set. Talos were a surprising choice for headliners of the small festival, but in truth all three acts are at a similar level of success, so there was no clear headliner to draw in the crowds. While the weather was slightly cruel to the event, it’s lovely to have unusual happenings like this festival around the city. We wait with bated breath for what they come up with next year…