Shannon McNamee

Shannon McNamee is Assistant Editor of the Journal of Music.

Latest Music Appointments and Awards (April 2024)
A round-up of recent appointments and awards in music, compiled by Shannon McNamee, with news from the Centre Culturel Irlandais, RTÉ, Opera North, Dublin City Council, Berklee College of Music, and Waterford City and County Council.
New Irish Music Releases (3 April)
The Journal of Music's regular round-up of recent albums and singles compiled by Shannon McNamee, including Lemoncello, Ar Ais Arís, Aengus Hackett Trio, Anselm McDonnell, Seán Clancy, Rufous Nightjar, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and more.
Latest Music Appointments and Awards (March 2024)
A round-up of recent appointments and awards in music, compiled by Shannon McNamee, with news from the RTÉ Choice Music Prize; University of Galway; Cork International Choral Festival; First Music Contact; Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship; and Glyndebourne.
New Irish Music Releases (8 February)
The Journal of Music's regular round-up of recent albums and singles compiled by Shannon McNamee, including NewDad, Leonard Barry, Niamh Regan, Ailbhe McDonagh, Megan Nic Ruairí, Ispíní na hÉireann, Houseplants, and Pádraic Keane, Aidan Connolly, Fergus McGorman and Ruairí McGorman.
Latest Appointments and Awards in Music (January 2024)
A round-up of recent appointments and awards in music, compiled by Shannon McNamee, with news from the Brit Awards, NÓS, the Clarsach Society and the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Sligo Jazz Project, Opera North, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The Irish for Hip Hop
'Ó Bheal', a new documentary on Irish hip hop, was broadcast on TG4 earlier this month. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Latest Appointments and Awards in Music (December 2023)
A round-up of recent appointments and awards in music, compiled by Shannon McNamee, with news from Maynooth University, the Arts Council and University College Cork, the Royal Philharmonic Society, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, the National Concert Hall and Music Leaders Network.
New Releases (30 November 2023)
The Journal of Music's regular round-up of recent albums and singles compiled by Shannon McNamee, including Michael Gallen, Penji, Rachael Lavelle, Junior Brother, NewDad, Sam Perkin, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, Réalta, Louis Stewart, Resurgam, and more.
Latest Appointments and Awards in Music (November 2023)
A round-up of recent appointments and awards in music, compiled by Shannon McNamee, with news from the Frank Maher Classical Music Awards, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, the NI Music Prize, University of Galway, Scottish Opera, the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, BBC Radio 1, the Barbican, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and the BBC Philharmonic.
New Releases (24 October)
The Journal of Music's regular round-up of recent albums and singles compiled by Shannon McNamee, including CMAT, The Line, Ye Vagabonds, The Mary Wallopers, Nealo, Naomi Berrill, Kojaque, Martin Simpson and Thomm Jutz, and more.
New Releases (21 September)
The Journal of Music's regular round-up of recent albums and singles compiled by Shannon McNamee, including Mick Flannery, Crash Ensemble, Elaine Malone, John Francis Flynn, TRÚ, Sorcha Richardson, The Mary Wallopers, Danny Carroll and more.
New Releases (10 August)
The Journal of Music's regular round-up of recent albums and singles including Alfi, Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O'Reilly, Rhiannon Giddens, Mick Flannery, Plúirín na mBan, Barry Guy's Blue Shroud Band, Soda Blonde, Tony Linnane, Orla Gartland and more.
New Releases (29 June)
The Journal of Music's regular round-up of recent albums and singles, including Grian Chatten, Ailís Ní Ríain, Brigid Mae Power, Ailbhe McDonagh, Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O'Reilly, Cairi Jacks, Alfi, Clare Sands and Brian Finnegan, ØXN and more.
New Releases (1 June)
The Journal of Music's regular round-up of recent albums and singles, including CMAT, Slow Moving Clouds, Daniel Luke, Dani Larkin, Síle Denvir, Sandra Joyce, Willzee, Bricknasty and more.
A Generation Without Hope
In the music of today, you can hear the hopelessness of today's youth as they face a catalogue of dark, gloomy issues, writes Shannon McNamee.
CMAT Sees Us Through
Irish pop singer CMAT's debut album went to number one in the Irish charts in its very first week. An original songwriter with a witty online presence, she has come to mean even more than that for her fans, writes Shannon McNamee.
David Keenan's Sense of Place
Over the last decade, a number of remarkable artists have emerged from the music scene in Dundalk, David Keenan key among them. This month, he released his poetic second album, "What Then?". But what is it about this border town that generated a different type of music scene, and why now? Shannon McNamee writes about her home county and Keenan's unique voice.
Healing and the Music of Damien Dempsey
'Love Yourself Today' – centred around a 2019 Damien Dempsey concert at Vicar Street – premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh last week. Shannon McNamee reviews.
There's Strength in Song
Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford's second album 'Sowing Acorns', released last month, is a blend of folk-inspired songwriting and upbeat pop. Shannon McNamee reviews.
How Can the Arts Plan in This Uncertainty?
The new Covid restrictions regarding indoor and outdoor gatherings have caused even more disruption in music and the arts, just as we thought things might be improving. Is it possible to have confidence about organising an event in this environment, and if not, what needs to be done, asks Shannon McNamee.
On Life's Wave
Brigid Mae Power's 'Head Above the Water', released on Fire Records earlier this month, is the third album from the Galway singer-songwriter. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Less Sweet Life
The duo Lemoncello featuring Laura Quirke and Claire Kinsella have recently released their second EP 'Oil and Water'. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Arc of the Seasons
Galway songwriter Anna Mullarkey has recently released her debut album 'Spéir', commissioned by Galway 2020. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Voices Louder Than Ever
Galway 2020's music programme is under way, with 'Imagining Ireland', a concert of female artists including Lisa O'Neill, Radie Peat and Sorcha Richardson, at the Black Box Theatre last Monday. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Universal Connection
Northern Irish singer Kitt Philippa's debut album has recently been released on Paragon Records. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Musical Love
The Another Love Story festival took place in Meath’s Killyon Manor on 16–18 August, featuring acts such as Cormac Begley, The Redneck Manifesto, Anna Mieke, Lemoncello, Dowry and Glasshouse Ensemble. Shannon McNamee reviews the small, art-filled festival now in its sixth year.
Still Feeding Folk's Roots
Now in its eightieth year, Topic has just released a double-album of artists singing classic songs previously released on the label. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Dream of Distortion
Just Mustard from Dundalk recently supported The Cure and this week were announced for the Iceland Airwaves festival. Shannon McNamee reviews their Galway concert at the Róisín Dubh.
To Raise a Music Community
The It Takes a Village festival took place in East Cork on 10–12 May, featuring Irish acts such as Thumper, David Kitt, Le Boom, Jinx Lennon, Kojaque and Anna Mieke. Shannon McNamee reviews the small, intimate festival now in its second year.
The Irish for Alternative
An Taobh Tuathail presented by Cian Ó Cíobháin has been broadcasting since 1999, championing alternative voices late into the night on the Irish-language station RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Shannon McNamee reviews a 20th anniversary concert in Galway (3 May) featuring Mount Alaska and Ships.