Other Voices (TV series)

Format

Each episode features live musical performances from both Irish and international artists. It also features in-studio or on-scene interviews from various locations across Dingle town. Filming of the live performances is usually in the intimate setting of the 200-year-old Church of St James in Dingle, County Kerry. The programme has had a range of presenters since the first series began in 2003, including Glen Hansard (season 1), Jerry Fish (season 2), John Kelly (seasons 3–7), Jenny Huston (season 6, alongside Kelly), Annie Mac (seasons 7-9, 14), Aidan Gillen (seasons 10-13) and Huw Stephens (seasons 13-14).

History

Shilpa Ganatra, writing in the Irish Independent in 2008, said: "Explaining Other Voices to a foreigner would sound like a flu-induced dream. I was in a pub in this tiny fishing village in the west of Ireland, where Ryan Adams was being filmed playing in front of 80 people in a tiny church. He was in the pub afterwards, and so was Paul Noonan from Bell X1 and Sinéad O'Connor, and Fight Like Apes were telling us about the most sordid website in existence".

The series was originally titled Other Voices: Songs From a Room. However, this was shortened as the series progressed. The sixth series was recorded in November and December 2007, and began broadcasting on 13 February 2008. It brought about a slight change of format, with the introduction of a second host in Jenny Huston and acoustic performances being filmed outside the Church of St James, in various places around Dingle.

The seventh series was recorded in Saint James's Church in Dingle from 5–9 December 2008 and aired in January 2009. It was presented by John Kelly and Annie Mac. Emilíana Torrini and Duke Special performed on the Friday, whilst Billy Bragg, Liam Finn and Colm Mac Con Iomaire performed on the Saturday. The Sunday line-up consisted of Elbow, Richard Hawley and James Morrison, whilst the Monday line-up consisted of Lisa Hannigan, Steve Reynolds and Mick Flannery. Kíla, Imelda May, Eric Bibb and Jape performed on the final night.

The eighth series was recorded in Saint James's Church in Dingle from 5–9 December 2009. It was presented by Annie Mac. Snow Patrol, Richard Hawley, The xx, The Temper Trap, The Magic Numbers, Imelda May, Brett Anderson and Speech Debelle are amongst the performers. A three-song acoustic performance by Florence and the Machine was recorded for the show in a separate venue due to the artist having other tour commitments. A performance by Snow Patrol involved the first ever use of optical burst switching for a live performance. The series was broadcast on RTÉ Two from 3 February until 10 March 2010.

Other Voices NYC, broadcast over Christmas 2011, centres on East Village, New York City, featuring Gabriel Byrne, Glen Hansard, Roddy Doyle, Damien Rice and Joseph O'Connor amongst others.

Supporters

The series is supported by RTÉ Television, IMRO, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht/An Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta and the 2016 season is also supported by The Ireland Funds, Lonely Planet and the Wild Atlantic Way. The 2015 season was supported by The Guardian.

Albums

The success of the television series has led to the release of a number of CDs featuring live recordings from the series. In more recent years, Other Voices live content has been made available to stream on Spotify and to purchase on Apple Music. The move to music streaming and download services came as the CD series was discontinued.

Track listings

CD1

1. American Townland – Interference
2. Snow Is Gone – Josh Ritter
3. Healthy – Mundy
4. Universal – Nina Hynes
5. Closer To Happy – Emmett Tinley
6. True Friends – Jerry Fish
7. Other Men – Martin Finke
8. Volunteer – Mark Geary
9. Belle – Paul Tiernan
10. Stars Above – Maria Doyle Kennedy
11. On A May Morning – Barry McCormack
12. Party On – Damien Dempsey
13. Star Star – The Frames
14. The Blower's Daughter – Damien Rice
15. Anyone Who's Yet To Come – Paddy Casey
16. What Would I know – Roesy
17. Standing in Doorways – Ger Wolfe
18. An Taobh Tuathail Amach – Rónán Ó Snodaigh
19. Limerick – John Hegarty

CD2

1. Staring at the Sun – Simple Kid
2. Evening Sun- Gemma Hayes
3. Self Servin' Society – Paddy Casey
4. Heyday – Glen Hansard
5. Captain Cassanova – Rodrigo Y Gabriella
6. One Man Guy – Turn
7. Erin The Green – Cara Dillon
8. Daybreak – Bell X1
9. Metropolitan Avenue – Christy Moore
10. Quiet of the night – Karan Casey
11. Saturdays – David Kitt
12. The Be All and End All – Bic Runga
13. Forgotten Lake – The Handsome Family
14. You- Luka Bloom
15. Out of the Blue – The Tyco Brahe
16. Your World – Declan O'Rourke
17. My Brass Buttons – The Jimmy Cake
18. Churchyard – Pauline Scanlon
19. Upside Down- Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club

CD3

1. A Drop of Rain – Joe Chester
2. Hold Up – Republic of Loose
3. Sunnyroad – Emiliana Torrini
4. It's Been Done – Angela McCloskey
5. GoGo (Don't Go) – The Chalets
6. Galileo – Declan O'Rourke
7. Saints and Sinners- Paddy Casey
8. Sunshine Superman – Donovan
9. Kite Flyers Hill – Eddi Reader
10. Day in Verona – Tom Baxter
11. Our Mutual Friend – The Divine Comedy
12. Misguided Angel – Cowboy Junkies
13. Ellis Unit One- Steve Earle
14. Back to Me – Kathleen Edwards
15. Angel- Gavin Friday
16. Liberty Bell – Autamata
17. Hungry – Sonny Condell
18. Wedding Dress – Mark Lanegan Band