MADU WHITENOISE CASEY LEIGH ERIKA FEENEY DUBDOCTORS
On the evening of Saturday 12 November at Galway Rowing Club the second Spirit of Voice festival show took place featuring 5 more acts in the wonderfully decorated community hall venue. At 9.30pm festival organiser Gerry Mulkerrins introduced the programme and thanked the events sponsors and production crew to begin a fantastic night of diverse musical styles.
First up on stage was a songwriter from Sweden named Erika Feeney who began her set with a traditional acapella Scandinavian song followed by a story of why she came to Ireland. Erika accompanied by her guitar created a subtle acoustic mood joyously received as the guests listened intently on every word and chord. Her original love ballads sold emotion with a song she wrote for a friend’s marriage ”månen och kärlek”. This flame haired beauty engaged the audience with her graceful song-stress charm telling tales about boys and loving plenty.
The second act of the night to take centre stage was extremely talented young soloist Casey Leigh from South Africa. Casey majestically showcased her vocal range opening with Ellie Gouldings “Your Song”. She continued to treat the audience to her tremendous vocal arrangement skills singing famous hits “Someone like you “by Adele, “Move like Jagger” by Maroon 5, “Spotlight” from Jennifer Hudson and”we found love “by Rihanna. Casey Leigh showed us her passion for music and we look forward to her future recordings and live shows.
Irish beatboxing champion Cian Sayles aka Whitenoise took the mic and shook the house down with mouth music that audibly suggested he was not alone on stage but surrounded by a full band and orchestra besides. The bass decibels increased as the drum n bass beatbox effects mashed in the air with urban cats and boots rhyme extravagantly sharing rhythm to the dance floor. The crowd wowed on in amazement at this performers own vocal technique, a unique way of keeping a funky house updown town loop. Whitenoise verbally explained his success with a collection of lip voice sounds that fitted accordingly.
Reggae group Madu played a festival headlining role with singer Aminah’s cool and sweet vocals, backed by brass section Bob and Zoltan as master mixer Salim controlled the dance hall reggae vibe. Together they pumped out a summer sound with songs from their latest CD “from the elders yard” They began with their festival promo theme song “the ticket” which instrumentally struck the right note for all the admitted fans as a busy crowd skanked and swayed to the dub beat tempo. Their song “striking gold” set the groove and Aminah received a rapturous applause dedicating “we are many” to the Galway occupiers. The saxophone trombone flute horns flanged and delayed perfectly with sublime vocals on “finding my own way” and “calling”. A great music selection from this popular group maintained the happy party throughout their set with songs “Killalae” and fans jumped the house down to the groups “Sunshine” single it was a great show.
Heavyweight DJ MC act the dubdoctors soundsystem direct from sprig studios kept the crowd moving and club sweltering with Jamaican and African tunes to match the red green and yellow atmosphere..Record Producer Donal Finn balanced the groove as MC Lukasz Sunchild Krzywon spoke the truth in ragamuffin style. They played tracks from their “lord of the technologies “album until closing another spiritual Saturday night voice show.
Thanks to Galway Rowing Club, Kevin (sound), Xavier (Camera) Julie Friedrich (photos) Eileen (interviews) production crew Fia, Wally Deb, Darren, Rolf, Merli, Katya, Simfuene, Conor, Donal Lukasz Helen,Lisa and Vanessa. The Arts Council, Galway City Arts Irish Rail, Charlie Byrnes Bookshop Aria Stained Glass, Clada drinks, Props & Vintage, I supply, Hotels: Radisson, ClareGalway Pillo, Restaurants:Vina Mara Cavas Milanos Lohans Neat3 design.
