January is here and I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year I physically have to push myself to be social. Some call it the January Blues, some may call it being broke after Christmas but, whatever the case it is important to not isolate yourself from others! Here at Our Muchness Guide you maybe aware that we adore gigs! Make us go on a night on the town with lots of drink? Hmm, rain check 90% of the time but, invite us to a gig and we are there! (Money and free time allowing). So, for the first Chasing the Blues Away Post of January I decided to put together a post of gigs around the country where the ticket will cost you under 20 euro and hopefully, I found a few free ones too! Let’s get going! Shall we?
First Fortnight
Where: Dublin/Galway/Cork/Across Ireland
Date: 3rd – 17th January
Cost: Varies
See the website here for the full list of events. The festival covers not only music but art, drama and workshops too! A mixture of Free to paid events.
Co-Motion
Where: The Bontanic Gardens
Date: 12th January
Cost: Free
Using headphones and headphone splitters, you’ll be randomly assigned a walking partner with whom you’ll share your playlist as you stroll around the Botanic Gardens. Behind every song is a story you are encouraged to share your stories behind each song! Find out more here.
Frightened Rabbit Revisited
Where: Sugar Club, Dublin / Roísín Dubh
Date: 15th / 17th January
Cost: €12
Anyone who is a fan of Frightened Rabbit will enjoy this one. The acts who will be preforming on the night are kept a secret but, each act will preform a few songs on the night by Frightened Rabbit. All proceeds going to First Fortnight and the Tiny Changes Foundation, in memory of Scott Hutchison. Tickets and more information can be found here.
Therapy Sessions Cork
Where: The Kino, Cork
Date: 11th January
Cost: €10
A music event curtorated by a musical act with some special guests depending on which event you go to. They are also happening in Dublin (two to be exact!) with different acts – see website for more information.
Music For Cancer
Where: Whelans, Dublin
Date: 4th January
Cost: €10
Our friends over at MusicboxPR have put together a gig in aid of the Irish Cancer Society! Watch us be proud friends with the food order run on the day before bopping the evening away! Music on the night from Emily 7, Saint Sapphire, Pádraig and Lewis Kelly. Rumor has it there maybe a few surprises and bits happening on the night! You can can get your ticket here or on the door.
Ryan Lewis
Where: Roísín Dubh
Date: 10th January
Cost: €14/€12* (€12* for members of the website. It is free to sign up)
Rhy released his EP “In Between Minds” last April. His music touches on topics concerning anxieties of this generation ie: politics and maintaining relationships. You can find out more here.
Craig Cooney – Aaron J – Wax White
Where: The Workman’s Club
Date: 11th January at 7.30pm
Cost: €10.85
One of our ones to watch for 2020 is Craig Cooney. Emma was truly blown away with him at FM104 The Gig. He is kicking off January with a headline gig! Fingers crossed we back it up to this one! Aaron J and Wax White will also be performing on the night and are described as being three of Dublin’s top Hip-Hop acts. You can get tickets here.
Amy Naessens
Where: Whelan’s, Dublin
Date: 11th January
Cost: €8 online and €10 on the door
Niamh adored Amy’s set at Riverfest last year and would highly recommend going to see Amy live! Support on the night is from Dan Elliot and KV VIK. Tickets can be got here!
Whelan’s Ones to Watch:
Where: Whelan’s, Dublin
Dates: 15th – 19th January
Cost: €6 a day or €12 for the weekend
The entire line up hasn’t been announced yet but, you are sure to at least one gem act of the year at this event! We are hoping to make it up for at least one night but, if finding new/smaller acts that you may have never heard of: you can get your tickets here.
Tradfest
Where: Temple Bar Area, Dublin
Dates: 22nd – 26th January
Cost: Varies
Despite loving the trad or not being its biggest fan; everyone in Ireland grew up listening to trad music! Or, if you were like me you spent most of your life playing a traditional instrument and remember every note of a song! Tradfest takes place January 22nd until 26thacross Temple Bar in Dublin. For this festival, I focused on the events that were free and threw in my top gigs you have to buy a ticket for. Thanks to Smithicks doing at least one music session a day for free you may just be spoilt for choice! All you have to do is is apply via the links for your free ticket! At this rate I might be spending most of the festival in Dublin!
Wednesday 22nd:
Aoife Scott Album Launch
Where: The Button Factory
Cost: €19.99
‘Homebird’ is finally coming out! No know can understand how excited Niamh has been for this album. I’ve had it since November and adore the album so much! Honestly, the album is more than likely going to be my album of 2020! A gig to celebrate the launch of the album. Come for a bop and stay for the songs! More information and tickets can be found here.
Thursday 24th:
The Kilkennys
Where: The Old Storehouse, Dublin
Cost: Free
Honestly I adore The Kilkennys and not because of their name! They have been a group for two decades and never fail to get the crowd going! One of their free gigs over the entire festival but, the tickets are going fast. Find out information on how to snag tickets here.
Friday 25th:
Trad Sessions for Children: Goitse
Where: The Ark
Cost: 10
I had to include one family friendly trad session and this is one I found! A well known tradband Goitse will be providing the entertainment and it is one not to be missed! More information can be found here.
Saturday 26th:
Shane Hennessy
Where: Rathfarnham Castle
Cost: 14.99
Shane is an extremely talented guitarist and composer! Make sure you see him at some point this year! He has an extremely unquie way of playing the accoustic guitar, you need to see it to believe it! More information here.
Sunday 27th:
The Henry Sisters
Where: The Porterhouse
Cost: Free
These sisters hail from Donegal and you need to hear their harmonies & melodies! They are doing three free gigs across the week and the Sunday is the only one with a few tickets left. Information here.
Petrol Girls
Where: Kasbah Social Club
Date: 23rd January
Cost: €10
Because I have a soft spot for Petrol Girls they had to be included. Petrol Girls are a feminist post-hardcore punk band. From their songs to their accents I just adore this band! They are also doing a date in Whelan’s who can’t make the trip down to Limerick. Ticket information can be found here.
Uppbeat
Where: Club 32 Dame st, Dublin
Date: 24th January
Cost: €12
We were fortunate enough to see Upbeat support Chasing Abbey in Ballykeffee co, Kilkenny last August. Upbeat he may be new to the scene in my eyes but, from his energy alone you know he is really going to be something. With the news of a new single with John Gibbons reaching our ears soon, one gig that is a must this January. Tickets can be got here.
Odd Morris
Where: Whelans, Dublin
Date: 31st January
Cost: €12.00
The one act I have just discovered that I have immediately connected with. Unfortunately, both of us are at Jonas Brothers that night but; they are on Niamh’s list to go see in 2020. More information and tickets here. They included two YouTube links in that description go take a listen!
Hoping that I helped you find at least one gig this January to help you Chase the Blues Away! Until next time, mind yourselves!
Our Muchness Guide 
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