Our weekly festival season, every Tuesday from June to September, with an all-Irish lineup featuring rising star David Keenan, electronic/acoustic Lilla Vargen, and poet Stephen James Smith
DAVID KEENAN
David Keenan is a 23 year old Irish Songwriter
An absolute obsession with words and melody took hold of David at a very early age. Exposed to the writings of Behan, Yeats and Wilde, with the soundtrack of Dylan, Buckley and The Dubliners, his formative years were inspired by the storytelling and character creations of his Grandfather. Later he took the boat over the water and gathered Tales and Tunes of his own, learning his craft and expressing his love of language.
Having been asked to play alongside the likes of Mick Flannery, Hothouse Flowers, Damien Dempsey and Glen Hansard David is fast becoming one of Ireland's most talked about young Artists.
LILLA VARGEN
Lilla Vargen is a singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland. Her name means Little Wolf in Swedish - an alias which encapsulates both her strong, soulful, evocative voice and the vulnerability in those honest, minimal songs of love and loss.
Two years after her first couple of demos emerged online, she returned with her debut single ‘Hold On’, released via Feel Good Lost in October 2017. The quietly memorable torch song showcases her beautiful vocal, offset against producer Nick Rayner’s warm, gently-building production, landing a New Music Friday nod from Spotify in the UK & Sweden.
Her debut EP - the three-track ‘Hold On’ - followed a month later, and included an astonishing cover of ‘Downtown’ by Majical Cloudz, which premiered on BBC Radio 1 and Majestic Casual. The critically acclaimed EP racked up just under a million listens online in a month, alongside plays from KCRW and further support from BBCR1.
Live, she plays as a two piece alongside Derry composer and electronic musician Ryan Vail. Recent shows include supports for Lisa Hannigan and Newton Faulkner, with her debut UK dates in February 2018.
STEPHEN JAMES SMITH
Stephen James Smith is a Dublin poet and playwright central to the rise of the vibrant spoken word scene in Ireland today. His poetry videos have amassed over 2.5 million views.
in 2017 he was commissioned by St. Patrick’s festival to write a new poem as a “Celebratory Narrative” of Ireland. The resultant piece ‘My Ireland’ is accompanied by a short film which has been viewed over 300,000 times and was screened at the London film festival.
In 2018 he was commissioned by Dublin stadium sponsor Aviva to write a poem to highlight the recent rugby final between England & Ireland on Paddy’s day. The poem entitled “Bring it Home” chalked up over 750,000 views across the weekend – and Ireland won!
Stephen has performed at high profile events & venues such as Electric Picnic, other voices, The National Concert Hall in Dublin, The Barbican in London, Vicar Street & the London Palladium (alongside Oscar winner Glen Hansard); The Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles, Glastonbury Festival and many more.
Stephen facilitates poetry workshops in schools around Ireland and is artist in residence with Dunamaise arts centre & Laois arts office. His poetry is included on the syllabus at Western Connecticut State University and his work has been translated into multiple languages. His debut collection, “Fear Not”, is published by Arlen House and will be launched on 14 June 2018 in Dublin at Poetry Ireland on Parnell Square.
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Since our first season in 2013, our event at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden has always inspired audiences in a unique and thrilling way. This season of events captures the essence of a weekend rural festival in the centre of Dalston on a Tuesday evening.
The phenomenal surrounds of the garden combine with delicious pizzas from David Latto, and a supreme and ever-evolving roster of acts, to create a magical atmosphere which brings people together in a friendly and welcoming space.
It's a community of music-lovers, summer-lovers and life-lovers, brought together to celebrate the warm months in a carefree and supportive atmosphere, with a compelling live soundtrack.
TICKETS
£6 Advance
£10 Door
PLEASE NOTE that this is an outdoor concert which will go ahead regardless of the weather. Please bring appropriate clothing, including waterproofs if rain is forecast.