By Sadhbh Pearse
@thatlimerickjourno
LIMERICK has always been a city full of music. From icons such as Dolores O’Riordan to modern day favourites like Emma Langford, you can find music anywhere, whether it’s a busker on the street or a group playing trad music in a warm, cosy pub.
So, it was no surprise, a coffee in one hand and trinkets from a market stall in the other, to hear the familiar tune of Oasis by Abe Soare! Following the music, there was a colourful van and a small crowd sitting, enjoying music and Abe was spotted, giving it everything!
After a few more tunes, it was Jane Fraser’s turn to hop into the van.
But what is this van? It is a council funded and organised festival, giving local artists the chance to perform, wherever the van lands. @festivalinavan itself is a mobile live arts event, with the van being fitted and kitted into a mini mobile venue. It’s fully equipped for any artist with sound, lighting and even a drop down stage!
Jane aka @jayne_music_ , took to the unique mobile venue and set up with an electric guitar and began her usual magical performance of her sweet yet sultry music. She also always injects a bit of humour into every performance in between songs.
On this occasion, there was a dog barking every time the crowd cheered and clapped and she acknowledged the dogs barks as praise and “from a redhead like myself”, swishing her signature red curls and indicating to a beautiful Irish Redsetter.
Once Jane finished her set, two young men,Kaito Rodrigues and Rodrigo Dalla took to the stage.
They played on keys and a violin. Their music was absolutely phenomenal. It was the kind of sultry music that plays in a movie when two enemies realise they’re actually in love.
But with the violin’s upbeat tempo, it also makes you want to get up, shout “hup the yard” and do the old a hAon, Dó, Trí we all know too well from our primary school days.
Once the gig was over, it was a flurry of hugs and catch ups with Abe and Jane and complementing Kaito and Rodrigo on their set. A small group then retreated to The Commercial where Jane was talking more about the production of her new album and Abe announcing that they just received the Dolores O’Riordan grant and would now be throwing everything they have, heart and soul, into their music.
