Latest news with #TheDonnys
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
TV Review: An Ghig Mhór sees John Spillane offer The Donnys some tough love
There is a bit of a niggle in the first episode of An Ghig Mhór (RTÉ One and RTÉ Player). The idea is an experienced success story on the Irish music scene mentors a young artist or band, as they prepare for their first big gig. The opening episode has Cork's John Spillane keeping an eye on Kilkenny band The Donnys. The Donnys: "To show the band their '70s rock vibe would appeal to people who grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, Spillane (or more likely the show producers) decided they should visit, wait for it, a group of Irish soldiers who served overseas with the U.N." It works because they don't exactly get on. This isn't a Cork and Kilkenny clash. It's a generation thing. Spillane has been in the music business for 43 years. The keyboard in The Donnys is too young to drive himself to rehearsals. There is a bit of a class tension as well. The Donnys seem a bit posh, they don't really have an accent. No one would accuse John Spillane of lacking an accent. So when they tell him they have put up five posters for their debut gig in a Kilkenny night-club, he calls them lazy and says it should be 50. Next thing you know Spillane is handing out flyers to middle-aged men in Kilkenny with the band watching on muttering that most of their fanbase is young and online. It's all starting to sour between mentor and Donnys. John Spillane, onstage at the Lord Mayor's Civic, Culture Community & Voluntary, and Culture Awards Ceremony 2025: a different world from Ireland's indie and rock venues. Picture: Larry Cummins ROCK 'N' ROLL ADVISORY To show the band their '70s rock vibe would appeal to people who grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, Spillane (or more likely the show producers) decided they should visit, wait for it, a group of Irish soldiers who served overseas with the U.N. The Donnys: "They are probably going to make it with or without advice from John Spillane." This was the only misstep in the show – it felt like the veterans were hanging around from another documentary, possibly about Irish people who served overseas with the U.N., and RTÉ decided to get a bit more value out of them. In fairness, time spent with some peacekeepers seemed to break some of the ice between Spillane and the band, and it was all systems go in the run up to the big gig. The Donnys were unreal when it came to showtime, lashing into the rock god cliches, with topless lead-singers and guitar solos in front of some admiring girls. Spillane (who gives great telly) is well impressed, saying he didn't expect them to be this good. In fairness, it wasn't really their first big gig, a quick Google shows they have played support slots with The Undertones and The Stunning. They are probably going to make it with or without advice from John Spillane. But this show is well worth it for Spillane's no-filter take on life, along with a reminder you don't really want rock and roll stars taking advice from their elders.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: An Ghig Mhór, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Survivors
An Ghig Mhór RTÉ One, 8pm New series in which a seasoned music scene veteran mentors an up-and-coming band or artist. First up, singer-songwriter John Spillane takes Kilkenny-based rockers The Donnys under his wing as they organise a gig in their hometown. Hell for Leather: The Story of Gaelic Football RTÉ One, 9.35pm A five-part documentary focusing on the important part that the sport plays in the nation's cultural and social history begins with Brian Fenton offering his emotional response to the game, before we get a glimpse of David Clifford's magical feet in slow motion. BETH Channel 4, 10pm Nicholas Pinnock and Abbey Lee star in a one-off sci-fi drama focusing on a couple who think all their dreams have come true when they have a longed-for baby — but the birth reveals a shocking secret. Forgetting Sarah Marshall TG4, 9.30pm Hit romantic comedy starring Jason Segel as a puppeteer who heads to Hawaii to mend a broken heart, only to find his ex-girlfriend there with her new rock star lover. Kristen Bell, Russell Brand and Mila Kunis co-star. The Survivors Netflix, streaming now We're mostly used to two types of Australian viewing: soaps and super-dry (to the point of cringe) comedy. This is different. The drama follows Kieran Elliott's life after two people drown in his hometown of Evelyn Bay, Australia. To top it off, a young girl also went missing. Returning with his family 15 years later, the simmering guilt resurfaces, especially when the body of a young woman is found on the beach… K.O. Netflix, streaming now No one does visceral city grit like the French. Bastien has lived as a recluse since accidentally killing his opponent Enzo in an MMA fight three years ago. Now, Enzo's widow tracks him down as, essentially, he owes her one. Her request? Find her missing teenage son. Tyler Perry's Straw Netflix, streaming now Between this and last month's release of She the People, Mr Tyler Perry is getting himself around. This offering, however, is far more stark than May's fare. Here, one mum's day unfurls as it goes from tricky to catastrophic. Pushed to the precipice by a world that seems indifferent to her plight (until they can livestream it), she soon gets attention when she unwittingly holds up a bank. The Orkney Assassin Prime Video, streaming now The Orkney Isles lie 130 miles north of Aberdeen. It's a peaceful place with a strong sense of community. In June 1994, however, Bangladeshi waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood was working at the lone curry house when a masked man fatally shot him. This documentary revisits one of Scotland's most extraordinary murder cases, examining racism, loyalty, and the impact of trauma decades later.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
New RTÉ series An Ghig Mhór pairs Irish musicians with up-and-coming talent
A new RTÉ series will pair established Irish musicians with up-and-coming talent as they put on their first hometown gig, with hip hop duo Tebi Rex, Kíla's Rónán Ó Snodaigh, and Cork singer songwriter John Spillane among the mentors. According to the show, "From the sitting room to the stage, the series follows the bands as they attempt to find a venue, sell tickets and deliver the performance of a lifetime. " An Ghig Mhór provides a platform to new emerging Irish bands and shines a light on the hard work, creativity and dedication that goes into putting on your own gig." From Donegal to Kilkenny, the series showcases a different town and band each week. Folk singer John Spillane will share his expertise with The Donnys, a five-piece rock band from Kilkenny. Singer-songwriter Eve Belle from Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal will work with fellow Gaoth Dobhair singer Hannah Mc Fadden, and her band Hannah B. Kíla's Rónán Ó Snodaigh will mentor band Leevy from the Múscraí Gaeltacht in Cork, who perform a blend of folk-rock and punk with traditional Irish undertones. Krea, a former member of Wyvern Lingo will guide all-female punk rockers The Hex from Lexlip, Kildare. Hip-hop duo Tebi Rex will mentor Conamara rock band Na hEasógaí. Finally, singer and guitarist Síomha will advise Coolboy, a four-piece rock band from Laois. Each band has their own unique sound and performs in English and Irish. Episode one of An Ghig Mhór will air on Monday 9 June, 8pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
