The Jazz Fest That Woke Cork: A Blend of Rain and Rhythm!
Over 100,000 groovers descended upon Cork this past weekend. And by “groovers,” I don’t mean the type that take over the dance floor after a few too many pints of Guinness—though let’s be honest, there were probably a few of those too. Yes, it’s that time of year again: the annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival—where the music is smooth, the vibes are high, and the weather? Well, it’s been a little, shall we say, moodier than a jazz musician on a Monday. Rain? Yes! But apparently, that didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd!
Noreen Gannon, the charming spokesperson from Gallaghers, remarked that this year’s festival probably marks the busiest she’s ever witnessed. And if you think she’s just being polite, let’s consider the facts. When a venue has so much foot traffic, you can bet there’s enough energy to power a small village—or at least a few extra pints and a proper fry-up at the local café!
Of course, a little rain on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday afternoon led Noreen to comment that it “puts a bit of a damper on it.” But I think we can all agree that nothing quenches the spirit of jazz quite like stepping out into a downpour, am I right? The mixture of jazz beats and the sound of raindrops might just be the next big fusion genre. Maybe Gregory Porter can help us out with that!
Living Legends and Local Talent!
This year saw the delightful return of legendary artists alongside fresh faces, proving that Cork truly knows how to blend the international with the local. Gregory Porter? He practically sold out Cork Opera House on his opening night. And like a magical jazz leprechaun, he even decided to surprise fans with impromptu performances in various locations. Talk about changing venue like most of us change our socks!
Then we have Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, who graced the stage in style—wearing a towel no less! Now, I’m not saying you should bring your bathrobe to your next gig, but it did make for some interesting wardrobe choices. Apparently, a lost bag meant a lost opportunity to dress to impress. But did that stop him? Not at all! He had the crowd dancing as if they were in a heatwave—not a rainstorm!
Cork Pubs Are Poppin’!
And let’s talk about the Guinness Music Trail, which sounds like the kind of diver’s expedition I could get behind. Stretching across 72 pubs, that’s an intoxicating trail for anyone looking to “sample” some local culture—if you catch my drift! Many pubs reported this being their busiest weekend of the year. I mean, what better way to lift spirits than with world-class jazz and a pint—or five—of the black stuff? You might even forget the rain (or at least blame it on all the dancing). Who needs sunshine when you have jazz?
Celebrating Togetherness Through Music
Three-time Grammy Award winner Gaby Moreno described her performance at the festival as “a special moment” and expressed her honour to be part of such a fantastic event. Only in Cork can you mix up sounds from Guatemala with the local twist of a irish jig. Talk about a musical melting pot!
Still Time to Celebrate!
If you thought you missed out, fear not! There’s still events happening today, including free gigs by Rory McCarthy and Hugh Dillon in Coughlans. This sounds like the perfect way to end a festival: a free gig and a chance to find out if the rain was worth it. If you missed it, I hope you’re ready for a heavy dose of FOMO!
For the artistic souls, an ongoing exhibition at St Peter’s Church featuring a collaboration with Blue Note Records awaits. You can literally walk through history! Picture this: a walk-through display of legendary artwork while trying to decide if it’s too early for a pint. A dilemma for the ages!
In conclusion, Cork Jazz Festival has once again proven that this city has its finger on the pulse of culture—and tradition! So here’s to the jazz, the rain, and the happy faces (including those young folk dressed to the nines). If anyone asks how to salvage a rainy weekend, just point them to Cork and tell them to grab a pint, a ticket, and dance in the rain. Jazz it up, folks!
This HTML snippet captures the lively spirit of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, infused with sharp wit, observational humor, and a bit of cheekiness reminiscent of the comedic styles of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans.
Over the weekend, Cork transformed into a vibrant hub for jazz enthusiasts as over 100,000 people flocked to the city to partake in the highly anticipated annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. This year’s festival featured more than 100 diverse events, captivating both locals and visitors alike with a whirlwind of musical performances.
Noreen Gannon from Gallaghers conveyed her enthusiasm to , stating, “it’s been amazing for Cork, probably one of the busiest jazz festivals I’ve seen.” She acknowledged the challenges posed by rain on Thursday, Friday, and part of Sunday, admitting that such weather “does put a bit of a damper on it,” yet remained optimistic, proclaiming it was indeed a “bumper weekend” with festivities bustling from Thursday onward.
The festival, backed by notable supporters including Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council, and Cork Airport, has earned acclaim for blending international jazz stars, local musicians, and delightful street events, creating an inclusive atmosphere for all.
Festival highlights included the legendary Gregory Porter, who lit up the stage with sold-out shows at Cork Opera House on Thursday and Friday. In a delightful twist, he surprised fans by appearing at unexpected locations throughout the city, enriching the festival experience.
Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, entertained audiences with engaging performances at the Everyman on Saturday and Sunday night. Sporting a towel on stage due to his airline losing his luggage, he shared the humorous mishap with the crowd, adding a personal touch to his shows.
A popular Guinness Music Trail, which spans across 72 pubs in the city, proved to be a hit with revelers, leading many bar owners to declare it their “busiest weekend of the year.” Cafes and restaurants also enjoyed a significant uptick in business as they catered to jazz fans indulging in breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the weekend.
Three-time Grammy Award winner Gaby Moreno expressed her heartfelt sentiments, sharing, “Performing at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is such a special moment for me. It’s an honour to be part of a celebration with so much history, where artists and audiences from all over come together through music.” Reflecting on her Guatemalan roots, she added, “As a Guatemalan artist, it’s so wonderful to share my songs in this setting, with all the energy and spirit that Cork brings.”
There are still a number of events on Monday, such as Rory McCarthy and Hugh Dillon, who are playing a free gig in Coughlans. The Metropole will see The Motones play at 1pm and Dave Murphy at 3pm in the Riverview Restaurant, while the hotel’s Met Restaurant will have music from Laoise Leahy at 1pm, Derek O’Connor at 3.30pm, Niall Marrone at 6pm and The Songstress at 8.30pm.
An installation at St Peter’s Church is also running until Wednesday – the exhibition is a collaboration with Blue Note Records that includes an interactive, walk-through display of the label’s iconic artwork as well as some of the artists they’ve worked with, and Blue Note’s first ever Irish pop-up store.