Women’s Work Festival – Belfast

9th February 2016 By Kate O'Callaghan

I can’t wait to perform at the upcoming Women’s Work Festival on Sunday 6th March. The show is called Where Do You Go To My Lovely?

Presented by Roisin Whyte and Jan Carson and made up of poets, writers and musicians; all women, all performing original work. It is described as – “Ten different imaginations, perspectives, experiences, humours, sorrows, ponderings. Stories that blazed or maybe crawled into being via scrunched-up papers/blank computer screens. Songs finally born after many laboured nights judged by silent, sullen instruments in the corner of the room”. It will take place in the Black Box Cafe, 7pm -10pm.

The Women’s Work Festival, run by Charlotte Dryden at the Oh Yeah Centre, promotes women working in the music industry and will be hosting a variety of great female lead events including Go Girl, Three for Three with Kaz Hawkins, and International Women’s Day Showcase with Katherine Phillipa and Saint Sister to name but a few. Check it out folks.

The Black Box, Belfast at the Open House Festival – June 2014

2nd July 2014 By Kate O'Callaghan

Myself and my husband, Seamus Devenny had the pleasure of opening for Ciaran Lavery for the launch of his Kosher EP at The Black Box, Belfast as part of the Open House Festival. A truely incredible night of music by Ciaran and his band and also the wonderful sound of Silences – I highly recommend checking out all of their music. A nice bonus afterwards too with some lovely reviews from Scott Edgar at Folk & Tumble and Cara Gibney at Creative Voices NI .

“Beautiful moments in there with Kate mastering guitar and ukulele accompanied by Devenny who’s undoubtedly a hugely talented string player” – Folk & Tumble

“Kate O’Callaghan with strong support from husband Seamus Devenny then took to the stage. Some feedback kicked in on the mikes as they were setting up to which Seamus announced “A long time ago in a galaxy far far away…” and a slight otherworldly feel was brought to the fore.

‘Don’t Think So’ started their set with up-tempo ukulele and good scratchy fiddle playing that kept up a pace as well as a melody.‘Painted Lady’ was a tale about the butterfly of that name that flies across from North Africa. Words aside, the fiddle playing was seriously like flaky wings and the touch of Moroccan/Algerian rhythm spoke volumes.

Another beauty was ‘My Dear’ which must have been written by Kate for Seamus; and if it wasn’t Seamy I would be asking who it is about jus sayin.. ‘Stone By Stone’ was a brand new song and it was the stand out for me. Because the audience were listening so well Kate and Seamus were able to open it by simply rubbing their palms together into their microphones; and then silk voices wrapped their hands, followed by warm guitar and violin. Kate’s voice was strong and the song was simply gorgeous. And so the set progressed. By the time Kate O’Callaghan had finished there was a healthy buzz in the candle-lit room full of people.” – Creative Voices NI

Irish Spring Tour 2014

7th March 2014 By Kate O'Callaghan

Looking forward to getting out on the road this March for my Irish Spring Tour. Delighted to be joining Roadworks Tours once again, this time supporting longtime friend and wonderful singer/songwriter/musician from the US called Peter Mulvey. Peter is launching his new album Silver Ladder and we will be enjoying a short jaunt around the country – from Wexford to Kildare, Donegal to Belfast, Dublin and beyond. Check out the dates below. After saying farewell to Peter (as he sets off for the UK), I’ll be finishing up my tour at The Acoustic Yard Sessions in Matt Molloy’s, Westport.