Tag Archives: Culture Night Belfast 2013

EDELLE MCMAHON

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Edelle McMahon at the Blue Bridge, Emyvale, August 2013 Photo: Michael Fisher

Edelle McMahon at the Blue Bridge, Emyvale, August 2013 Photo: Michael Fisher

Edelle McMahon is a Belfast-based singer/songwriter, who hails from Emyvale in County Monaghan. In August 2013 she performed at the Blue Bridge outside Emyvale during the unveiling of a plaque as part of the William Carleton International Summer School. The following month I saw her performing in Crumlin Road Gaol during Culture Night Belfast 2013. Now her début solo single has been reviewed very favourably by “Joe” from the music review website, Bearded Radio. I have reproduced it in full with links where possible:- 

 “The musical voyage of Edelle McMahon first began in County Monaghan, in the Republic of Ireland. Starting young, it was through the hugely popular Sean Nós channel that Edelle entered into the world of child stardom, continuing on and reaching great success in Irish folk and traditional music, a current which has continued to the present day. For the past several years, Edelle has been a performing member of Belfast’s country rockers ‘Jackson Cage’ and more recently joined forces with studio-only based ‘The Badhearts’ who are due to release their first single together in early 2015. Along with being a familiar face on the gigging circuit, Edelle is one of the organisers of popular Belfast acoustic showcase, ‘The Lagan Sessions’.

Recently released and aptly named “Belle Curve” is her cleverly worded début solo single. Its origins stem from a retaliation to a good friend, who themselves had composed a comedic and banter filled song referring to the singer songwriters relationship status. What began as a witty and humorous idea, had now started to venture and take itself into darker waters. In the lyrics Edelle found herself reflecting on the lonelier side of being single. Originally intended as a guitar and vocal number, for the singles production, Mark Donaldson had the creative idea for the song to open up with piano and include string arrangements, thankfully this was hugely to Edelle’s liking and approval. Providing the perfect backdrop for “Belle Curve” is a stunning and picturesque video which was filmed on Canada’s Prince Edward Island by Richard Brennan.

It was back in May of this year when I first became aware of Edelle McMahon. Along with a feast of other respected Belfast-based musicians, Edelle’s jaw-dropping performance of “Demeanour” (co-written with Jim Johnston), was a part of a hugely successful project called “Eastside Sessions”, I fortunately have the DVD (you can watch it from youtube link below). Edelle McMahon has a pretty interesting and bulging itinerary ahead, now treading new waters and in the process of recording her début solo album, also due for release in 2015.  It is with great exclusiveness and much excitement I can reveal “Demeanour” will be featured on this. I have also included the links for Facebook, twitter and her SoundCloud where you can listen to more from her unreleased songbook, “Pilgrimsville” and “Ships Will Sail” are particular favourites of mine. Joe”.

CULTURE NIGHT BELFAST 2013

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Dog Ruff String Band Photo: © Evelyn Fisher

Dog Ruff String Band Photo: © Evelyn Fisher

Belfast city centre was truly buzzing with the fifth annual Culture Night, part of a larger event taking place across the island. Great to see people out enjoying themselves and music coming from around every street corner along with street performers and exhibitions. All over Ireland, museums, galleries, theatres, churches, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural institutions threw open their doors for patrons to dip into whatever appealed to them from poetry to music to dancing.

In Belfast the streets, places and spaces in the Cathedral Quarter and further afield were thronged for several hours  with thousands of revellers, young and old. More than 250 dance, music, theatre and visual arts were staged at 100 locations.

Crumlin Road Gaol Photo: © Michael Fisher

Crumlin Road Gaol Photo: © Michael Fisher

I went to see acoustic folk musician Edelle McMahon singing at the former Crumlin Road Gaol, now developed as a tourist attraction. She told me it was certainly one of the most unusual locations in which she had been asked to perform. Edelle is from Emyvale in County Monaghan. During the recent William Carleton summer school, she sang the ‘Romance of the Merrow Queen’ at the unveiling by me of a restored plaque at the Blue Bridge, Emyvale, marking the Carleton connection.

Edelle McMahon at Crumlin Road Gaol Photo: © Evelyn Fisher

Edelle McMahon at Crumlin Road Gaol Photo: © Evelyn Fisher

Edelle is a singer and songwriter based in Belfast, who is described in the Culture Night programme as an “up and coming performer”. She was given two slots to sing during the evening, based in the circle at the centre of the jail, from which the four wings radiate. A great change to hear the strains of gentle music coming through the entrance instead of the clatter of keys and banging of cell doors along with the voices of prison officers and inmates!

Music in the Circle at Crumlin Road Gaol Photo: © Michael Fisher

Music in the Circle at Crumlin Road Gaol Photo: © Michael Fisher

Culture Night programme organiser Adam Turkington told the Belfast Telegraph the entire team was thrilled with how the weird and wonderful festival of fun had turned out:-

“Every year we’re so busy planning the thing, we don’t always take time to appreciate just how massive culture night has become. Every year we’re cautiously hopeful of a decent turnout, and sure enough, (each time) we’re blown away by the numbers that come down to the city centre and beyond to celebrate Culture Night. Just looking around me now, it’s utterly incredible, people of all ages and backgrounds milling about and exploring and enjoying all sorts of different performances and oddities. Happenings on every corner and a city centre where everybody is smiling.”

Mr Turkington also said he was particularly happy the annual event was a welcoming environment for anyone and everyone. “I think most importantly about Culture Night Belfast, the city becomes one huge shared space for all”, he added. That was clear from what I witnessed during the time I spent there. “Belfast: a city for all” should be the message going out to the world.