The Bugle Babes entertaining on the RTÉ Big Music Week train Photo: RTÉ ten

The Bugle Babes have headed northwards for a SOLD OUT! event tonight in Antrim town. The tea dance at the Old Courthouse building in the Market Square features some of their Andrews Sisters vintage routine. My first experience of their delightful entertainment was during the RTÉ Big Music Week train journey from Dublin’s Connolly station to Carlow at the end of September.

The programme describes what patrons can look forward to:-

“As part of the 4 Corners Music Festival, the tea dance will go out for the evening in the company of the very beautiful and very talented Bugle Babes! Singing the Billboard hits from the Golden eras of Swing and Jive, the Bugle Babes are a 1940’s style close-harmony trio inspired by the Andrews Sisters and the Hollywood stars of stage and screen. Whether adorned in military costume, or soft satin dresses, the Bugle Babes style is pure Vintage from their Victory Rolls all the way down to the toes of their seamed stockings. Formed by Derby Browne in 2007, the Bugle Babes have performed all over Ireland from the National Concert Hall to the Cork Opera House and their television appearances include the Late Late Show and Ryan Tubridy. Put on your dancing shoes, add a touch of vintage glamour and join these gorgeous girls as they perform their repertoire of classic songs and contemporary pop hits with a twist all served up with lots of scintillating glamour, fun and nostalgia……”

Eileen, Derby & Lou: The Bugle Babes in vintage mode in Carlow Photo: © Michael Fisher

Eileen Coyle from Co. Cavan began singing at an early age and studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She has been a member of several choirs including the Maynooth Choral Society, the Limerick Choral Union, and the Lassus Scholars. As a core member of the Lassus Scholars Eileen performs regularly all over Ireland, also travelling to Europe, and deputising for the Westminster Cathedral Choir in London. Her favourite composers include William Byrd and Orlando de Lassus. As a member of the jazz harmony group The Bugle Babes, Eileen has enjoyed much success, featuring on The Late Late Show, TV3’s Ireland AM, and on Sean Moncrieff’s show on Newstalk 106.

Truly DiVine (Lou) has been singing her heart away since she discovered her voice at age 13. In her teens, this Dutch lady covered tunes from the musicals and the latest hits in pop and rock. She moved into the world of jazz and blues when she arrived in Dublin in 2004. She played gigs with a variety of musicians for five years and since 2009 has broadened her world to include the burlesque and cabaret scene. She is part of the Bugle Babes, a 40s- style harmony group based on the Andrew Sisters; she regularly performs with rockabilly band The Pavement Kings; her latest show is a Marlene Dietrich tribute, ‘Dietrich’s Angels’.

When not performing with the Bugle Babes, Derby Browne specialises in French café music: the life of Edith Piaf (Pigalle), Jacques Brel, Yves Montand, Charles Aznavour and the style of guinguette and bal-musette. 

The Bugle Babes in Carlow Photo: © Michael Fisher