Vegetable orchestra prepares for first gig in Ireland

RTÉ News​

2 days ago

Oasis, Dua Lipa and Charli XCX are among the big names heading to Ireland for concerts this summer.
But Ballyroan Library in Dublin can arguably lay claim to hosting the most 'mouth-watering' gig of them all.
The London Vegetable Orchestra come to town on Saturday 7 June, and there won't be a traditional instrument in sight.
That's because the ensemble of musicians turn carrots, courgettes and peppers into working instruments to perform famous tunes.
Tim Cranmore, a recorder maker by trade, started the unusual orchestra after discovering the story of a Japanese man who crafted the instrument out of carrots.
"Well, if you think of a tree which is cylindrical, it grows in the ground, it's got roots, it's got leaves, and the carrot is the same; cylindrical, grows in the ground, strong roots, it's got leaves. So, there's no reason why a carrot should not make a recorder every bit as good as a tree, and in fact they do. In some aspects they're better," he explained.
The LVO have performed their renditions of classical music, pop hits and Disney sing-a-longs across the UK and around the world.
They have even had an audience with an amused King Charles, who gave the carrot recorder a try himself.
They will give two workshops at 'Loud at the Library' for Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland's national day of free creativity for children and young people.
"We'll be performing for the young people, teaching them to make vegetable instruments, and how to play them. It'll be our first trip to Ireland, but hopefully not the last," said orchestra member Patrick Johns.