The Goo 1
Words: Christian Wethered FOLK A range of album r
eleases, live performances, and festivals mark a busy early Summer period across Ireland’s folk and traditional music scenes. Beoga release their new album Phases on June 6th. The Antrim-based group are known for combining traditional Irish instrumentation with contemporary pop and acoustic elements. Their recent output reflects a shift toward more atmospheric arrangements and mid-tempo writing. The band are currently on tour in support of the release, with several dates scheduled in Ireland and the UK throughout the summer. Van Morrison will release his 47th studio album, Remembering Now, on June 13th. The project includes contributions from Seth Lakeman, Fiachra Trench, and other long-time collaborators. As with much of Morrison’s recent work, the album draws from folk, blues, and jazz. Songs such as ‘Carrickfergus Again’ and ‘Heart in a Bowl’ revisit earlier motifs, presenting them in pared-down, meditative settings. Also arriving on June 13th is Forward, the first new album in over 40 a decade from The Swell Season. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová return to collaborative songwriting with a more subdued sound palette. The record favours minimal instrumentation and a slower overall pace, with a focus on voice and harmonic tension. Early attention has centred on ‘There Will Be Time’, a track that builds gradually through repetition and layered vocal phrasing. The duo are currently touring the record in the US and Europe. The Doolin Folk Festival will run from June 13th to 15th in County Clare. The 2025 line-up features John Francis Flynn, De Danann, Brian Finnegan, and a mix of solo artists and traditional ensembles. The festival is recognised for its emphasis on live musicianship and its integration of informal performance spaces alongside main stage events. In addition to scheduled performances, this year’s edition includes masterclasses, artist-led workshops, and a new series of curated collaborative sets aimed at cross-generational exchange. Rush Folk Festival returns from June 21st to 23rd on the beach in North County Dublin. This year’s programme includes performances by The Bonny Men, Brigid Mae Power, Tadhg Williams, and others working across folk, trad, and alternative songwriting. The festival continues to build a reputation for booking both established and emerging artists. VARO are currently touring in support of their new album The World That I Knew, released on May 24th. The duo’s approach involves reinterpretation of traditional songs and the development of new material. The album features collaborations with artists including Ian Lynch, Alannah Thornburgh, and Libby McCrohan. Notable tracks include ‘Sweet Liberty’ and ‘The Burning Hill’. The group’s live performances aim to recreate the album’s sense of stillness and focus. Lisa O’Neill will perform at Liverpool’s Tung Auditorium on July 23rd. This marks her first headline show since concluding her touring schedule for 2023’s All of This is Chance. No new recordings have been announced, but the concert is expected to include recent material.