Cian Nugent/ David Murphy / Matthew Nolan & Guests  – The Fumbally – Gig Review
by Killian Laher

While the ‘big ticket’ show is becoming increasingly less accessible and affordable, there are some interesting and innovative shows taking places in smaller, off-the-beaten-track venues, such as The Fumbally. It’s a café by day and an occasional event space in the evening.  The open space lends itself well acoustically for small gigs.  First up on the night was steel guitar player David Murphy, who accompanied his playing with some gentle electronic loops.  Playing selections from last year’s Cuimhne Ghlinn album, he began with Sean O’Riada’s Aisling Gheal.  The hush in the venue as he played Bridget Cruise and Peadar O’Riada’s An Draigheann was broken only by the occasional sound of a beer can opening

The effect of combining what are mainly traditional Irish airs with the ‘high lonesome’ sound of the steel guitar made for a set that almost transported you out of the room and onto a random prairie, in Longford.  Seriously, it was most enjoyable to watch David Murphy work his magic on the steel guitar.

Next up was Matthew Nolan, an Irish musician who had put the evening together.  He played a short set of instrumental music on guitar and keyboard, joined by Lisa Dowdall on viola and Sean MacErlaine on funny noises and a car hooter(!) The music was pretty out there, shades of ambient music and at times strange, but never dull.  Nolan held it together as Dowdall alternated between bow and her fingers on the viola, while MacErlaine chimed in with electronic noise and occasional blasts of the aforementioned hooter.

Finally, Cian Nugent emerged to play a laidback set of mostly tunes from 2023’s She Brings Me Back To The Land of the Living.  Opening with the solo acoustic Grass Above My Head, he switched to electric and was joined by David Murphy on steel guitar for a relaxed version of High Up Airplane.  Nugent showed his own considerable guitar skills on Empress and The Sound of Rain

After a lovely stripped-down First Run the pair finished with a lengthy, astounding Pass The Time / How The Time Passes, Nugent switching back to acoustic as the duo stretched out, creating a formidable sound.  Honestly, you could listen to Cian Nugent playing guitar all night and there was several of us there who wished we could.

Three excellent, diverse sets showcased some fringe Irish talent, which shows you how much joy there is to be found in the margins.