From Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th October, the 7th annual Sitges Live festival will see musicians from Ireland travel to Sitges, for a four-day festival of internationally recognised Irish, Catalan and European musicians, artists and performers.

HEADLINE ACTS ANNOUNCED FOR SITGES LIVE'19

Thursday October 24th

From Rossinyol to Raglan Road

Opening the festival in true Sitges Live style, with songs and tunes from Ireland and Catalonia. ​

Simon Morgan (vocals) Richie Buckley (saxophone) and Drazen Derek (guitar) present The Great Irish Song Book like you’ve never heard it before. Joan Pinós & Old Folcs opens the concert with some of the great tunes of Catalonia before being joined on stage by the Irish band for an eclectic evening of music and song.

22.00h

Venue: Queenz, Carrer d'Espalter, 2

€7

Friday October 25th

Els Jardins del Prado Sessions

Els Jardins del Prado Sessions is back for another year of great music, showcasing the exceptional festival musicians in one of Sitges' loveliest gardens, the perfect location for families and friends of all ages. ​

We're delighted to be delivering this series of outdoor day-time concerts that has become a firm festival favourite. Food and drink are available at the festival, so come along and try some tapas and drinks from an extensive menu while you take in performances from leading Irish, Catalan and international musicians.

12.00h - 16.30h

Venue: Els Jardins del Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€5

CD launch: Mossie Martin ‘The Humours of Derrynacoosan’

Irish Fiddle player Mossie Martin - an annual performer at the Catalunya Celta and Sitges Live festivals- launches his new CD, ‘The Humours of Derrynacoosan’, at this year’s festival. ​

Mossie will be joined at this event by a host of traditional musicians including Donal O'Connor (guitar) and Bernard Flaherty (flute & whistles) and the official launch honours will be done by none other than the legendary John Sheahan (The Dubliners), a long - time musical hero of Mossie! ​

The students of Craobh Phiarais will be on hand to perform a number of tunes from the album, making this event a must see for fans of authentic Irish traditional music.

18.00h

Venue: Teatro El Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€5

Under A Red Sky Night

Martin Tourish (accordion), Jack O’Rourke (piano, vocals), Cormac de Barra (harp) & David Lombardi (violin) are set to delight audiences with soulful, rich melodies weaving between a squeezebox, harp, fiddle, voice and piano that capture the spell of artists with a deep connection and chemistry. This is music that lives in the moment, peppered with glances, intuition and magnetism.

19.30h

Venue: Teatro El Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€8

Sitges Live'19 presents singer/songwriter Paddy Casey

Renowned Irish singer/songwriter Paddy Casey, one of Ireland’s favourite troubadours, is set to charm Sitges Live ’19 audiences with his treasure trove of songs from his long standing career. Performing songs from his many chart topping albums, including the multi-platinum ‘Living’ that gave us the unforgettable anthem ‘Saints and Sinners’ and brand new songs from his recently released album ‘Turn this Ship Around’, this will be a gem of a concert. Joining Paddy on stage is the Lucan Gospel Choir, one of Ireland’s most popular groups who will raise the roof in a fantastic concert finale.

21.30h

Venue: Teatro El Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€12

Late Night Double Bill

Accordion Crimes

Inspired by the Pulitzer Prize winning novelist E. Annie Proulx's 1996 novel ‘Accordion Crimes’, classical accordionist Dermot Dunne with traditional accordionist Martin Tourish and a host of guests follow the intriguing tale of a Sicilian accordion’s travels across the American continent, passing through the rise and fall of the musical styles of much of the twentieth century and playing the tunes and songs of the various communities who lived there.

Saoirse Casey

Prepare to be captivated by singer/songwriter Saoirse Casey who, despite her young years, is already a seasoned performer having worked with a roll call of Ireland’s most well-loved musicians including Declan O'Rourke; Paddy Casey (her dad); Mundy; Aslan; Mary Coughlin; Wallis Bird; I Draw Slow; John Smith and Nick Parker. Fresh from the launch of her debut album ‘Lunaria’ -an enchanting collection of fables, lullabies and powerful expressions of love- Sitges audiences can expect beautifully delivered vocals that weave between delicate and wild.

23.00h

Venue: Cañateca-Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€8

Saturday 26th

Els Jardins del Prado Sessions

Els Jardins del Prado Sessions is back for another year of great music, showcasing the exceptional festival musicians in one of Sitges' loveliest gardens, the perfect location for families and friends of all ages. ​

We're delighted to be delivering this series of outdoor day-time concerts that has become a firm festival favourite. Food and drink are available at the festival, so come along and try some tapas and drinks from an extensive menu while you take in performances from leading Irish, Catalan and international musicians.

12.00h - 17.00h

Venue: Els Jardins del Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€5

Alborada and the Dawning of New Irish Music

Alborada, Music for the Dawn: The alborada is a musical form found in Galician, Asturian and Catalan traditional music in which the piper greets the sunrise with music. The dawn here is symbolised by the exceptional young musicians taking part in this event (95 young performers).

Three pieces from the Slí Mhantáin Suite: Composed for and performed by the Rithim Trad Orchestra (traditional musicians from Music Generation Wicklow): The Gateway (composed by Rachel Duffy), Sliabh Ruadh (composed by Tim Doyle) and Draíocht agus Drúcht (composed by Gerry O'Donnell).

Visions and Voices: Composed by Martin Tourish in collaboration with young musicians from the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra. Commissioned by Music Generation Laois in 2016, funded by Per Cent for Art through Laois County Council and the Laois 1916 Commemorative Fund.

The Colour of Warmth: Based on an exploration of Catalan culture - between composer Martin Tourish and Music Generation Carlow and Music Generation Waterford - including the artwork of Gaudí, Dalí, Miró, Grau Sala and Picasso, the human towers, Nit de Foc (The Night of Fire), and the poetry of Pearse Hutchinson. This new piece has central themes of surrealism, realism and human warmth. ​This work for Tape and Trad Orchestra was composed by Martin using recordings from workshop improvisations overlaid with the voice of poet Vincent Woods reading from Pearse Hutchinson poems. Commissioned for Creative Connexions Ireland: Sitges Live'19 and co-funded by the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership.

18.00h

Venue: Teatro El Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€5

Call to the Dance

Traditional Irish music was made for dancing: the infectious upbeat tempos get feet tapping, hands clapping and everyone joining in. Now in its 4th year and an integral part of the festival, Call to the Dance combines Sitges Live musicians with some of the best names in Irish dance to create a collaborative performance like no other. Call to the Dance -a high energy dance, live-music, rap and beatbox extravaganza- brings together musicians James Mahon (Kila) on pipes and Brian Fleming on his multitude of percussion instruments with Riverdance lead dancer James Greenan, award winning dancer Zoe Talbot (All-Ireland & International/World Champion), contemporary and sean-nós dancer Sibéal Davitt and traditional dancer Tura Arutura from Zimbabwe. This percussive spectacle will have everyone on their feet!

19.30h

Venue: Teatro El Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€10

John Sheahan (The Dubliners) & Friends An 80th birthday concert @ Sitges Live’19

Following his sell out concert at last year’s festival, we are thrilled to welcome back Irish music legend John Sheahan (The Dubliners) in a very special concert in celebration of his 80th Birthday. ​

One of Ireland’s most loved and renowned folk musicians since his days with The Dubliners, John Sheahan’s fiddle playing is second to none. Joining him to mark this milestone is his long-term collaborator Michael Howard (guitar), Richie Buckley (saxophone), Drazen Derek (guitar), Simon Morgan (vocals) and Martin Tourish (accordion) to name but a few. Certain to sell out quickly, get your tickets now!

21.30h

Venue: Teatro El Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€15

Late Night Double Bill

The Carbonell Sisters and William Ryan For this double bill we have beautiful vocal harmonies from sisters Maria and Deia Carbonell with guitarist William Ryan. The Carbonell Sisters blend their voices in harmony while covering a range of original music and their unique take on some of their best loved songs. Steeped in music from an early age and already with lots of performance experience, this will be their second time to Sitges Live having played here in 2017. Also joining them on stage will be their father and accompanist on guitar, Felip Carbonell. ​

William Ryan has been writing music since the age of 12 and has grown into a mature songwriter romanticising the themes of love, life, death and adolescent-hood. In September 2018 he independently released his debut EP ‘The Butterfly Effect ‘. ​

Cançó Nova

Rounding off the evening is Cançó Nova, the brainchild of renowned Irish musician, composer, producer and musicologist Martin Tourish (accordion) following his extensive research into traditional Catalan music. Hear Martin and the Sitges Festival Band - a crew of exceptional Catalan and Irish musicians - performing music and songs that are laced with joy, colour, sincerity and passion and experience the power of being bathed in a cançó, sung by choirsters embedded in the audience.

23.00h

Venue: Cañateca-Prado - Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

8€

Sunday 27th

Els Jardins del Prado Sessions

Els Jardins del Prado Sessions is back for another year of great music, showcasing the exceptional festival musicians in one of Sitges' loveliest gardens, the perfect location for families and friends of all ages.

We're delighted to be delivering this series of outdoor day-time concerts that has become a firm festival favourite. Food and drink are available at the festival, so come along and try some tapas and drinks from an extensive menu while you take in performances from leading Irish, Catalan and international musicians.

12.00h – 16.00h

Venue: Els Jardins del Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà, 6

€5

NoCrows in Concert with special guests

Dynamic folk orchestra NoCrows is a unique group with diverse musical roots, from Irish traditional to Latin rumba, classical, jazz, rock and Balkan music. A mix of Irish, Swiss, Mallorcan and Russian musicians, the band has toured extensively throughout Europe. No strangers to Sitges, it was at the festival in 2017 where they met and performed Martin Tourish for the first time, beginning a musical friendship that would result in their new live CD ‘Escape’. And where better to reunite to launch their latest work but Sitges Live’19? NoCrows and Martin will be joined by special guests, including Cathy Jordan.

17.00h

Venue: Els Jardins del Retiro, Angel Vidal, 17

€8