Five for your Radar: Aoife Dunne in Cork, Record Store Day events, Mick Flannery musical
Mick Flannery and Julie Kelleher during rehearsals for The House Must Win. Picture: Chani Anderson
A gritty musical drama based on his debut album from 20 years ago, the script, lyrics, and music for are by Mick Flannery. Set on the western edge of Ireland in the 1970s, it follows two brothers living with the odds stacked against them. Directed by Julie Kelleher, the cast features Tommy Tiernan, who makes his musical theatre debut alongside rising Belfast actor and singer-songwriter Tabitha Smyth, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo and Niall McNamee
Frontman of The Charlatans is just one facet of Tim Burgess’ career. He’s also a radio host, author, and cut his teeth as a DJ at the legendary Heavenly Social in London and toured with the Chemical Brothers. As he comes under the hammers at Connolly’s of Leap on Saturday night, expect northern soul, hip hop, indie, and everything in between.
It’s been a rapid rise for Galway comedian Aoife Dunne over the past couple of years. Her 2025 tour sold out — including dates at the Edinburgh Fringe — and she’s taking her acclaimed debut Good Grief back on the road with an extended run. The show mixes humour with heartbreak and sharp-eyed observation, exploring loss and the odd, often funny ways people find connection and keep going when life veers off course.
Running since 2008, Record Store Day seeks to bring together fans, artists, and independent record stores around the world. Check your local store for events and special releases. In Cork, Music Zone in Togher has Sarah Hickey on at 1pm, followed by Hope is Noise, Pat Carey aka How I Became a Wave, and rising indie act Babyrat. At Plugd Records on Coal Quay, MC Artie Silver is on MC duties, with Inchworm, Rising Damp, and Trick Mist all set to play a set, followed by Éist Radio and Brian’s Wines till late.
An animated spinoff of the Stranger Things phenomenon that came to an end over Christmas after more than 10 years, Tales from ‘85 is executive produced by creators Matt and Ross Duffer. It takes place between the events of the second and third seasons of Stranger Things, and depicts Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max (as well as new addition Nikki — "a tough, mohawk-wearing gal") as they confront new monsters of the Upside Down.
