A stunning new series on TG4 featuring music from around the world, shot in Galway’s Black Gate Cultural Centre, will premiere next week.
CUMASC: Seisiúin sa Black Gate is a new 12-part music series that blends gorgeous concert film with intimate observational documentary and interviews.
CUMASC is a lovingly curated showcase of emerging and established artists, both Irish and international. These artists come together in celebration of collaboration and creativity; many meeting for the very first time.
The series opens with Grammy-award-winning American musician, Rhiannon Giddens, Italian composer, Francesco Turrisi, and Connemara-born sean-nós singer, Róisín Elsafty.
These three wonderful artists present a gorgeously inventive collaboration that draws from three distinct folk traditions and melds them perfectly. It is a wonderful moment in a series full of them.
The series showcases concert performances recorded live at The Black Gate Cultural Centre in the heart of Galway, and behind the scenes footage and interviews are filmed in a variety of striking locations around the city and surrounding countryside.
Electronic musician Daithí Ó Drónaí and vocalist, songwriter and violinist Suzanne Savage get lost in improvisation and write an electrifying new song about a lightning strike on Suzanne’s train that very morning.
American singer-songwriter Sam Amidon sits in a boat on the River Corrib, the warmth of his playing and song puncturing the lingering greys of the Galway morning sky.
Singer-songwriter John Conneely and soulful performer Síomha breathe new life and beautiful harmonies into old classics and older castles.
Revered stalwarts Liam Ó Maonlaí, Niwel Tsumbu, and Eamonn Cagney talk of musical possibilities as innumerable as the stars in the sky before embarking on an improvised and celebratory jam.
That is only a sample of the talent on show throughout the series.
Rachael Lavelle, Peter Broderick, Seamus Begley, Junior Brother, Seamie O’Dowd, Daoirí Farrell, Anna Mullarkey, David Kitt, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Arborist, John Blek, Inni-K, Jinx Lennon, and The Mary Wallopers also lend their immense musical talents.
Speaking about the series, Mairéad Ní Thréinir, a producer at Black Gate Productions, said that they are incredibly proud that this has been their first television commission.
“We are proud that it stems organically from our venue’s unique relationship with musicians and artists from all over Ireland and abroad. We are especially proud to showcase our deep respect for our native tongue.”
The series was commissioned for TG4 under the Live Music Sector funding stream, created to support an industry suffering from COVID-19 restrictions.
CUMASC: Seisiúin sa Black Gate will be available to watch on the TG4 Player from Friday, February 11th.
