After falling into the Dublin music scene the past few weeks of study abroad, I’ve been lucky to hear live music at the bar and every day on the street. Unfortunately, one can only write about the realms of traditional Irish musicians and street performers so many times before she is forced to step outside the box.  With this in mind, I decided to buy a ticket to one of Dublin’s summertime lunchtime concerts.

 It happened to be the first lunchtime concert of the year, so although orchestra concerts are not something I frequent in the US, I was excited for this experience in Dublin. Before approaching the city’s National Concert Hall, I wondered what the crowd would be like. I assumed because it was a lunchtime concert series it would be a mix of business people, popping in on their lunch break. Once I got to the front steps of the hall, I immediately knew I was wrong.  My classmate and I reserved our seats and patiently waited in the foyer amongst many adorable, elderly men and women. We were eventually led to our seats and as we peered over the balcony to the full house below, we were certain that we were the youngest ones in the building.

RTE concert orchestra, one of only two paid orchestras in Dublin, soon walked on stage through large, beautiful side doors.  Just over fifty men and women were ready to play before the crowd, with the help of their handsome conductor.  The announcer came over the microphone, introduced those on stage, and told the crowd that the performance would be a compilation of great American composers.   I’ve heard American music done by many Irish musicians so I was a bit weary at first.  Since the songs chosen were so influential to the overall history of music, I didn’t let the fact that they were American hinder my experience. Who can complain about hearing Arlen’s “Somewhere over the Rainbow” or even Bernstein’s “I Feel Pretty?” It was brilliant!

The performed songs were well known and enjoyed by everyone in the audience. I believe this had to do with the fact that they combined tunes from some globally popular films including “Moon River,” from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”  Because the audience was older and respectfully mature, the songs were played without interruption. The exquisite soprano of Franzita Whelan entranced the crowd with every note.  There wasn’t a sound in the hall until applause after each song.  

My hour spent at the lunchtime concert really made me think about the prevalence of live music in Ireland in comparison to America. I really wish it was this easy and inexpensive to step outside the boxes of Youtube and Spotify and into a hall of live music back home. Regardless of age or nationality, everyone appreciates a good show. Over the weeks Ireland has proven to me that if the world could agree on one thing, it’d be the power of live music.

Faith Scheerbaum

Since I’ve been in Dublin I’ve found myself on Grafton Street more times than necessary. I just can’t seem to deny its shops and entertainment. Not only is the street a good place to spend Euro on outfits, food, and drinks, it’s also Dublin’s prime location for street musicians or “buskers.”  The juxtaposition between begging musicians and high-end shops is a perfect representation of Dublin’s present culture. Although the city is making its way through a recession, shops have been able to remain open because of heavy spending tourists.  Buskers remind us that Dublin is not only a working class city but a musically talented one, with people willing to go above and beyond for a note or two.

In Dublin I’ve found street performers to be either hit or miss. It seems like just about anyone can set up shop on a corner and play something mainstream in hopes that their tune will catch an ear.  Some musicians just sound like noise while others rise above and demonstrate pure Irish talent.

In Ireland people’s claim to fame has often been through busking.  Some of my favorite street performers that have made it “big” from Grafton Street are Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, and Paddy Casey.  I even found myself at one of Paddy Casey’s sold out concerts on a first night in Dublin. These artists have been made into global talents and they all started through strumming on Grafton.

One afternoon while walking down Grafton Street, a crowd of people near a ritzy storefront caught my attention. Beyond the crowd was a band of six. The music the men were playing was completely instrumental. The song had hints of reggae with obvious Irish influence. What a combination!  In front of the group of guitarists and drummers was a man playing a traditional Irish flute.  Although I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what genre was being played it was certainly appealing to the audience. Throughout their set, people were even willing to purchase their music. That sort of thing is quite unheard of back home. In the US it’s very difficult to sell your own music especially through street performances.

Upon researching these Grafton Street buskers, I learned they’re called Mutefish. They happen to be one of Dublin’s most popular street bands. They’ve played shows at a pub I’ve frequented called Whelan’s and have even toured across Europe. The members of the band do hail from Ireland but also Poland, Lithuania and the Ukraine.

Recently it’s been common that “superstars” are made overnight in America via viral videos and reality shows. It seems that America has become so technologically advanced and closed off that our ears are deaf to street talent. No one ever stops in the train station to give the old man singing the blues a cent. My experience on Grafton Street has made me wonder about this; if Americans unplugged their headphones and shut off iPhones would we discover more genuine musicians?

Faith Scheerbaum

Video: Mutefish Performing on Grafton Street

Out on a night with my Study Abroad friends, we found ourselves in a familiar place called Whelan’s.  In our short time in Dublin we’ve quickly become regulars to the pub/venue.   As usual, we were greeted by the same bouncer at the door.  In being there 4 times in a matter of 2 weeks, we recognized him but because of the onslaught of people coming through we were treated like newcomers. He began to ask us our ages in his familiar tone and then continued to inform us about a free “Silent Disco” that would begin at 11pm. I’m sure our blank stares were quite obvious. He then politely asked “Do yas know about a Silent Disco?”

After his brief explanation we walked through the dark doors and ordered specials off the chalk board above the bar. In our time at Whelan’s my friends and I have explored all three venues within the pub. On this night we weren’t allowed passed closed off areas because of paid concerts. We were bummed out that we couldn’t get in anywhere besides the bars within the venue but remained hopeful that this mysterious “Silent Disco” would be the craic.

At 11 pm the door to one of the venues opened and concert goers poured out into the bar. Those previously in the bar moved into the venue, which soon turned into the dance floor. Upon entering the room there was no audible music but Two DJs were spinning on stage.

We soon found that the rules were simply to wear a set of cordless headphones, dance, and shout. Once we put on the headphones we realized that there was an option between an Indie and Top 40 playlist.  Apparently Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” gets the crowd going when the music is heard by all and even when it isn’t. When I removed my headphones I could hear people singing the dance ballad at the top of their lungs and dancing the night away.

The act of dancing to music through headphones might seem a little silly at first but when you’re surrounded by an enthusiastic group of people, it all somehow comes together effortlessly. Even though the room was filled by strangers and friends, at times it was quite personal. The experience made me feel like I was away in my room with music that only I could hear, dancing carelessly.

Whelan’s did more than simply provide a good time on this night.  The “Silent Disco” allowed us to tune out our worries, hear the music, feel the rhythm, and dance.

Where I’m from in the United States, “Silent Discos” aren’t as popular. It’s quite common to hear music pumping from bars with a crowd just standing around. The idea of giving the people an option of choosing the music and the freedom to move however they please is certainly an idea worth adopting.

Faith Scheerbaum

In the United States, it’d be beyond my nature to accept a night’s outing on a Tuesday but this week I found myself for the first time outside my limits and in the city of Dublin. The simple motivation and anticipation of sitting inside a pub with brilliant live music drove me to put on my coat and dancing shoes. I’ve heard live Irish music at festivals, Irish-American Weekends, and of course around Saint Patrick ’s Day but I still didn’t feel confident in assuming that I’d find something similar in Dublin. On Tuesday night I didn’t just hear Irish Music, I experienced live Irish Artists singing and playing the tunes of not only Ireland but also songs of the United States.

It was late and our group of study abroad students had already spent some time at another pub.  Because it was “half eleven” our next destination was cut short.  With a friendly suggestion we found ourselves standing outside the dark doors of “The Mezz” or self-proclaimed “Tabernacle of Tunage.”  This place was different than others in the area simply because of the burly bouncer waiting on the stairs to reference IDs.  I found this to be quite refreshing and the act of carding evoked feelings of nostalgia.

Upon entering, I noticed The Mezz was quite grungy in décor and style, with a dive-bar atmosphere.  There was what looked like magazine/newspaper clippings of famous artists pasted to the walls, along with faded vintage concert posters.  The artists were easily recognizable rock bands of the UK and US.  I soon strolled over to the bar and was delighted by the inexpensive beer options beyond popular brands. The place seemed to be going for an underground feel while still being set in such a busy zone. Because The Temple Bar area is often overrun with tourists and high prices, I was happy to experience this other side.

After grabbing a drink I headed to the stage where the sweet, sultry sounds of “Riders on the Storm” were heard.  Although The Doors are an American Classic Rock band, Tuesday’s group “White Chocolate” put an Irish twist on their music.  They continued to bring this Irish Rock influence to other American rock songs including Nirvana’s grunge hit “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” and the recent “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon. Although we were standing in “Temple Bar’s Capital of Live Music” and Irish “White Chocolate” was playing what would often be considered “American music” I was more than pleased with their cultural reinterpretation.

Through my visit on Tuesday, I’ve begun to realize an underlying musical connection. Although artists recreate songs in different ways, there are certain songs and genres that remain timeless throughout the world.  Specifically amongst the young, in both the US and Ireland, there is a pull toward the underground and with that an obvious rebellion against the mainstream. The Mezz is an example of a pub venue that caters to this kind visitor with absolute success.

Faith Scheerbaum

During our studies in Dublin, Allison Miller and Faith Scheerbaum are the students who will be covering the Music scene.