Musicians all around the country will fill the streets and venues of Ireland today with music for love:live music, Ireland’s National Music Day

- Over 275 free live music events to take place nationwide
www.lovelivemusic.ie

Over1,800 musicians will turn Ireland into a huge stage today as they host a range of free live music events in some of the most exciting venues around the country as part of love:live music, Ireland’s National Music Day, now in its fourth year.
Some of the highlight events taking place around the country today will include a rare opportunity to see the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra rehearse as it opens its doors to the public to mark this special day ahead of the Young Europeans Concert this evening. Ennis Town will host ‘Clare Connections’ featuring a line-up of some of Ireland’s leading names in traditional Irish music including Lúnasa and The Kilfenora Céilí Band and Ennis is also calling on the public to get involved in helping to break the world record for ‘the largest tin whistle ensemble’. The Baltimore Singers, directed by the renowned Katy Salvage, will perform choral arrangements of Coldplay’s Fix You, Adele’s Skyfall and other chart hits for the residents of Schull Community Hospital. The Manden Ensemble will brighten up the Friday commute with a fusion of contemporary and traditional West African music at Heuston Station from 08.00am. Noisy Plug Sessions, an initiative aimed at helping well-known local bands gather fans in towns where they areless well known, will take place in various venues across the country.

“We’re delighted to see the variety and creativity of this year’s love:live music events and with over 275 taking place, today really highlights the importance of music to Irish people. There is nothing more enjoyable than a live musicevent on your doorstep and National Music Day aims to bring communities together through these performances. Of course none of this would be possible without the support of our partners, most notably Comhaltas and Dublin City Council. The list is too numerous to mention, but these collaborations really sum up the spirit of this event and show that great things happen when people work together. love:live music offers everyone the platform to perform in an accessible way and be a part of a much bigger event and we are thrilled that today looks set to be very exciting for both performers and audiences nationwide.” commented Sharon Rollston CEO of Music Network.

Innovative and diverse musical showcases will be staged in unusual settings around thecountry such as parks, libraries, historical monuments, workplaces and on city streets by a wide range of performers of differing ages and experience.

Outerspacewas Inc. will mark the celebration with a pop-up Sun Ra inspired performance in Meeting House Square that calls on the public to bring an instrument and join in the fun. Dublin’s streets will also play host to, amongst other things, a Choral Gathering and numerous pop up performances, as well as street music programmes. Na Píobairí Uilleann are hosting ‘Try the Pipes’ events in 6 locations across the country, encouraging everyone to have a go and learn a new skill and Dublin City Council will host a free performance of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ as part of its ‘Opera in the Park’ series in Merrion Square.

love:live music, on Friday 21st June is Ireland’s National Music Day and is celebrated through FREE live music events in cities, towns and villages all over the country, and coincides with World Music Day. Initiated by Music Network in 2010, It’s an open invitation for Everyone to Make Music Everywhere!

love:live music is co-ordinated by Music Network and is funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Music Network is revenue funded by The Arts Council.

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