LIMERICK band Theatre have built their following through live shows since forming last year.
Dara Gooney chatted to Limerick Post this week.
The band formed just two years ago but since January 2024 with the inclusion of bass player Sonny Foy, Theatre “have been really trying to have a go at this properly.”
Despite not having released any music yet the quintet of Sean Storan, Dara Gooney, Maeve O’Shea, Sonny Foy and Oscar Haplin have played support slots at Roisin Dubh, The Workmans and a couple of shows with highly rated Cork band Cardinals.
The band have recorded a few demos at Windmill Lane in Dublin and some DIY in a shed in Limerick.
These recordings reveal a band making music with a post rock / gothic feel, with nods to the sound of The Cure or The Murder Capital with strong vocals from Maeve O’Shea
These demos have impressed enough for this new band to pick up an enviable run of support gigs across the country so far. They will be supporting Just Mustard in Spirit Store Dundalk at the end of October.
With just a few demos to hustle for gigs, the band seems to be, “moving in the shadows of the music scene.” Dara describes the musical direction so far as, “ethereal rock, folk, and shoegaze.”
“We will go into next year with a bit more of a plan. Where you really catch us is at the live shows, we want to get in front of new audiences and new people and get the name out there.”
Since April of this year Theatre have a manager looking after their interests. Georgie Jessen of Rough Trade heard their demos and liked the band.
“She heard about the band and we basically reached out. At that point we only had a few songs recorded. We sent them over to her, she came over to Ireland and came to a rehearsal and really liked the vibe.
“Georgie became our manager pretty much from that moment onward. We are not signed to Rough Trade but she’s a manager that has spent the last six, seven years working with big bands that are signed to Rough Trade.
“At the minute, she looks after her main two acts, ourselves and a band called Bricknasty.” (Bricknasty are a hip-hop / neo soul collective from Ballymun, Dublin)
“So for the last number of months, we’ve been working with Georgie. She’s been brilliant, couldn’t ask for a better person.”
“There’s definitely going to be a big wait on releasing music. And the plan is definitely to finish off this year playing a good number of shows, probably spread out around the country.”
Theatre will play Dolans Kasbah on Thursday October 17. as guests of Adore.
It is a hometown show for the band.
“Playing in Limerick, that’s probably the best part of it. We will have a lot of friends and family all there for the gig. We have played Kasbah numerous times. It’s becoming very much home territory for us.”
