The Best Ticket-Free Music Events This Culture Night in Dublin and Beyond
Words: Rachel Hannon
Photo: V-Sensei
If you’re looking for some last minute plans for this Culture Night, look no further. Although many of the 1,700 activities across the country are booked up, there are still some free events available for you to attend.
With over 300 events to choose from in Dublin alone, you may be finding it hard to know where to start. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Séisúin Palaistneach
Time: 6.30pm – 7.15pm
Location: Wood Quay Amphitheatre, Dublin
What a better way to dive into some culture than listening to some local Palestinian artists including Abdullah Al Bayyari, Leen Maarouf and Latif Midoume. Taking the form of a traditional Irish session, there will be an eclectic mix of traditional Palestinian melodies and contemporary beats. With songs and storytelling, this will beautifully highlight the rich heritage of Palestine.
JyellowL
Time: 8pm – 8.35pm
Location: Meeting House Square, Dublin
JyellowL always serves highly energetic performances, and this gig will be no different. As he consistently paves the way in the Irish hip hop scene, he is guaranteed to showcase his powerful lyricism, distinct RnB, afrobeat and soul beats with a sprinkling of his Nigerian and Jamaican roots at Meeting House Square.
Queer Set Dancing
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Location: Meeting House Square, Dublin
It’s Riverdance, but with more glitter. This inclusive LGBTQ+ event is a spin on traditional Irish dance, as it is for members of the community and their allies. Hosted by Ulster woman Alexa Moore, you can learn some steps and meet new people while doing it.
Iconic Irish Voices at the GPO
Time: 6pm – 8.30pm
Location: General Post Office, O’Connell Street, Dublin
An iconic landmark with iconic songs. There will be four instrumental performances of four world famous Irish musicians – Séamus Begley, Christy Dignam, Shane MacGowan and Sinead O’Connor. There’s no doubt this event will be dipped in Irish-rich culture and will have the crowd singing along.
Rap Battle and Spoken Poetry – Cork
Time: 7pm – 9.30pm
Location: Grace Church, 53 MacCurtain Street, Cork
Two of the world’s Top 10 Battle Rappers LOSO from Florida and A. WARD from Kansas City are set to battle it out in Cork’s Grace Church this culture night. Amongst the international rappers will be local Corkonian poet and rapper Gerry D plus more.
Sionna Event – Limerick
Time: 7pm – 11pm
Location: King John’s Castle, Limerick
Sionna Festival in Limerick has returned for this years culture night with a bang. Some of the incredible acts for the line up this year include one of Ireland’s most promising electronic DJs Shee, as well as Galway girl and rapper Celaviedemai who has emerged as such a captivating figure on the scene. As well as this, local electro-hop heroes 40 Hurtz, Hazey Haze and Mankky will join them.
Cultured Mo – Louth
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Location: The County Hall, Louth
This is another really exciting free event but this time in Dundalk’s famous Mo Chara. Thanks to the support of Louth County Council and the Arts Council, local artist AE Mak will take the stage at 9.30pm to showcase her art-pop sound after immersive exhibitions and installations. If you haven’t seen Ae Mak live before, you need to treat yourself and go.
Earth Rising at IMMA
Time: 5pm – 9pm
Location: Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin
From the 20th to the 22nd of September, IMMA will be showcasing a plethora of exhibitions, workshops and activities that intertwine the idea of art with nature. There will be over 60 artists and collaborators for this event who will be joined by some of the most sustainable international artists on tour such as RnB artist Lie Ning. This free festival has something for everyone.
Hugh Lane Gallery – Music, Workshops, Talks and Tours
Time: 5pm – 10pm
Location: Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin
Hugh Lane Gallery are set to showcase an abundance of music, exhibitions, talks and tours throughout culture night. The exciting line up includes performances from Rattling Ark Méabh McKenna, Everything Shook, Ordnance Survey, Ellie O’Neill / Sharon Phelan / Matthew Nolan, Daniel Luke, and Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi. As well as this, there are riveting exhibitions including Time and Time Again curated by Young Visionaries, and High Expectations Early Years, an interactive display for very young children, and Sarah Purser: A Force for Irish Art.
