Cork Gig Guide – 5 Gigs to see in Cork this October

October 2, 2023October 6, 2023 The G-Man

Brigid Mae Power, Martin Hayes, Lisa O’Neill, Natalia Beylis, The Unthanks & more play Cork in October. Who needs the sun – Autumn is when Cork shines for gigs, concerts, festivals and live music.

Cork Gig Guide for October 2023

Cork really turns up the intensity for gigs in the Autumn. Sounds From a Safe Harbour, The Cork Folk Festival, Culture Night and Coughlan’s Live Music Festival lit up September and there is no sign of a let-up as a whole host of international and homegrown talent play shows throughout a multitude of venues this October. And we haven’t even mentioned the jazz yet. See below for highlights.

Brigid Mae Power @ The Chapel, Griffith College

Critically acclaimed dream-folk songwriter Brigid Mae Power released her fourth studio album, Dream From The Deep Well, earlier this year. A special autumn performance from The Chapel at Griffith College on Wellington Road presents a particularly special chance to see one of Ireland’s top contemporary talents perform live in an intimate venue.

Brigid Mae Power plays The Chapel, Griffith College Friday 6th October.

For tickets see eventbrite

UPDATE: this event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Martin Hayes & The Common Ground Ensemble Live At St. Luke’s

The best way to accompany a master fiddler is to surround him with fellow master musicians. Comprised of Cormac McCarthy (piano), Kate Ellis (cello), Kyle Sanna (guitar) and Brian Donnellan (bouzouki/harmonium/concertina) and Hayes himself, the supergroup all arrive at the music from a different perspective, yet are bound by their own personal links to Irish traditional music. The magic that results can be heard through the release of Martin Hayes & The Common Ground Ensemble‘s captivating Peggy’s Dream, set free into the world earlier this year. Do not miss.

Martin Hayes & The Common Ground Ensemble are Live at St. Luke’s on Sunday 22nd October.

For tickets see eventbrite.

Also – see Martin Hayes solo at the legendary De Barra’s of Clonakilty, Friday 6th October.

Traditional music fans make sure to check out further October highlights here.

Lisa O’Neill at The Everyman

We’re huge fans of Lisa O’Neill round these parts, and couldn’t think of any venue more fitting for the Cavan songwriter than the beautiful Everyman Palace. Go hear tunes from O’Neill’s Rough Trade-released record All of This Is Chance at her biggest Cork concert to date. Another

Lisa O’Neill and Seamus Fogarty play The Everyman, Saturday 7th October

Natalia Beylis in Plugd

From the quiet comes Natalia Beylis, armed with a brand new record of surrealist soundscapes, exploratory keyboards and field recordings. Inspired by the wilds of Leitrim (where Beylis calls home) and an experimental music community (as one point of the Woven Skull triangle), Mermaids is a six-track release with a rescued CRB Elettronica Ancona – Model: Diamond 708 E Electric Keyboard at its core. Experience Mermaids in-person at Plugd Records on Saturday, 7th October, joined by Star Of The Sea. Or take a roadtrip west to catch Natalia Beylis at Levis’ Corner House on Sunday 8th October. For a recent interview with Natalia Beylis, see The Thin Air.

Natalia Beylis plays Plugd Records Saturday 7th October, Levis’ Corner House Sunday 8th October.

Tickets available from plugdrecords.com

The Unthanks Live at St. Luke’s

Rachel and Becky Unthank are the northeast of England’s celebrated sibling harmonious duo The Unthanks. The Northumbrian sisters have developed a close affinity with Cork over the years through various festivals and projects including a headline slot at the 2017 edition of the Cork Folk Festival. The Unthanks return for what are always special shows Live at St. Luke’s on Thursday 12th October.

There are few times when you discover a band and they stalk immediately to the heart of everything you love and hold dear.
Maxine Peak

The Unthanks play Live At St. Luke’s Thursday 12th October.

For tickets, visit eventbrite.

More Gigs?

That’s not to mention:
Thursday 5th October, Cork Improvised Music Club Em Dash in Plugd Records
Friday 6th October, Jape in Plugd Records
Friday 6th October, Lisa Lambe at Seachurch (Ballycotton)
Friday 6th October, Liam Ó’Maonlai at St. George’s Art & Heritage Centre (Mitchelstown)
Monday 9th October, Talk with Annie, an evening with NYC writer and performer Annie Lanzillotto in Maureen’s
Thursday 12th October, Síomha at Prim’s Bookshop (Kinsale)
Friday 13th October, Síomha at Levis’ Corner House (Ballydehob)
Friday 13th October, Seth Lakeman in Connolly’s (Leap)
Saturday 14th October, Cate Kennan and Ruairi De Burca in Plugd Records
Saturday 14th October, Paddy Casey in Cyprus Avenue
Thursday 19th October, Autre Monde in Coughlans
Thursday 19th October, Aoife Scott at Seachurch (Ballycotton)
Saturday 21st October, I Dreamed, I Dream and Inchworm, Cork Opera House (Green Room)
Monday 23rd October, Josh Ritter, Cork Opera House