Gospel Rising in Ennis
Well what a weekend! Shannon Gospel Choir was privileged to be part of the very first Gospel Festival to be held in Ireland. A huge number of choirs from around Ireland made their way to Ennis last weekend for a series of workshops delivered members of the London Community Gospel Choir, a showcase gig in Glor, and mass celebration in local churches finishing off with a mini-gig & workshop from Jack Lukeman.
Huge credit must be given to the organising committee for the festival, which kept everyone busy and buzzing for the weekend. SGC were delighted to be asked to sing at the Glor gig on Saturday and gave a set that had all the audience bopping, clapping and stomping. John Crofton from DGC guested on drums. There was a great mix of choirs performing at gig, showing the diverse range of choirs and styles of music that exist amongst Irish Gospel choirs, including Ennis, Maynooth & Celbridge, Valley Singers, Ballymun & A Glor.
SGC also raised the rafters at St Josephs church in Barefield on Sunday morning , with an inspiring mass from the Cannon who referenced in his homily his time in Shannon and in complimenting the choir quoted St Augustine who said ‘He who sings, prays twice’
SGC converts Dolans
SGC had an absolute ball at Dolans Warehouse Limerick on the 16th April. They played to a crowded warehouse with just under 300 enthusiastic saints & sinners. There was something for everyone, in terms of songs and styles of music. Even the people who were dragged along by their friends, family and spouses, not knowing what to expect…were won over by the choir. Having just celebrated their 1st year, the gig had a party atmosphere from the off!
The first section consisted of mainly upbeat praise songs, in full gospel robe attire. After a short break the choir re-emerged after changing into something less comfortable. The skirts were shorter, the tops were lower and the heels were higher, and the same went for the women!!! The second part of the night was one and a half hours of inspiring rock & roll, with songs from the 60’s, 70’s 80’s, 90’s right up to the naughties. SGC were joined on stage by Drea, singing his original song ‘Through the Wire’ and then Gari Deegan singing a James Morrison song, ‘Precious Love’. The choir ended their set with a super arrangement of Queen Latifahs hit ‘I know where I’ve been’ and left the audience shouting for more… to which they duly obliged, playing an encore of Proud Mary and Ain’t no Mountain High Enough!
After an eventful year which included singing with the Harlem Gospel Choir and Paddy Casey, it was a fitting way to top it off with their own headline gig, in what is arguably considered to be Irelands best live venue.
SGC to support Harlem Gospel Choir in Glor on December 8th
SGC to support Harlem GospeChoir l in Glor on December 8th for their ‘Concert of Hope Tour’
Having performed for Nelson Mandela at the Yankee Stadium, for the Pope in Central Park, with the Chieftains on their US tour and on U2's “Rattle and Hum” album, film and tour, the Harlem Gospel Choir will, once again, return to Ireland for an extensive tour.
Read more: SGC to support Harlem Gospel Choir in Glor on December 8th
SGC and Paddy Casey in Harmony!!!
Shannon Gospel Choir were delighted to perform with Paddy Casey in Dolans Warehouse on September 18th
SGC had been speaking to Paddy about singing with him over the past few months and when it finally came around to the Dolans gig they sang Saints & Sinners, Beggin, On my way to Heaven and Sinnerman. SGC also improvised with him on 'Living' (Scooby Doo, Shoo Bop Sha Wadywady... was thrown in there at some stage) and 'Thats why we came here tonight'. It was a great night and a good ol' traditional sing song in the bar afterwards. A special thanks to Paddy Casey & Mick Dolan for their hospitality!
