Ceol Funkyailte agus Groovailte!

"Cad is fiidir liom a ra ach: 'wow'. Ceol aisteach imeallach funkyailte groovailte happenailte nach n-aithnmonn na cluasa seo ach a bhmogann iad ina ainneoin sin (What can I say but: 'wow'. We're talking strange funky groovy happening music from the margins that these ears don't recognise but which excite them nonetheless)" Psl S Muirm, Irish Times.

I'm sure most readers and music fans would not automatically associate Raidis Na Gaeltachta with contemporary cutting edge music from all genres, but just tune into one episode of An Taobh Tuathail and prepare for your preconceptions to be blown clean away.
An Taobh Tuathail programme received its first airing on May 1st 1999. In the space of a few short months, the show has picked up a die-hard listenership and much critical foaming at the mouth from the unlikeliest of sources. It is the only music show on licensed Irish radio that is broadcast live seven nights a week without any commercial advertisements, hence making it a heavenly refuge on your radio dial from bog standard FM dross.
"The reason I got involved was that when I came out of college I was obsessed about music," explains An Taobh Tuathail presenter Cian S Cmobhain
"I decided that radio was the best outlet and avenue for what I wanted to achieve, as television is very much dictated by whatever videos are available, and in clubs you have to focus on what keeps the dancefloor full. I typed the longest proposal I have ever written for An Taobh Tuathail, which coincided with the launch of Lyric FM, which itself freed up a lot of RnaG broadcast hours."
Hence, Cian S Cmobhain and Rsnan Mac Aodha Bhum began broadcasting their nocturnal musical odysseys that rapidly became the excited subject of many a word of mouth recommendation. Categorising the show's gloriously divergent styles into a single sound-bite is a futile exercise, so lets just say 110% pure eclecticism. Pockets of listenship are mushrooming quietly both at home and abroad, extending widely beyond Gaeltacht areas.
"The response from English labels such as Grand Central and Warp has been amazing, which is great considering that we can't play music with English lyrics," enthuses S Cmobhain. "This remit has proven to be far more of a challenge than a hindrance, as most of the really good stuff is instrumental music, whether it be Godspeed You Black Emperor! and Mogwai or old funk music.
This month sees the An Taobh Tuathail crew get out of the studio and shake up the dancefloor, a position that Cian is no stranger to as promoter and resident DJ of one of Galway's most successful and distinctive club nights, 110th Street. "110th Street managed to hit the spot in terms of indie, dance, old skool, soul, hip-hop, Latin music and uplifting house. The crowd varies wildly from your E-generation ravers to your older punters in for a few drinks. TG4 people have been doing visuals which aren't your usual looped tapes, but are mixed live with the music."
From manning the studio with Ronan to bringing the An Taobh Tuathail roadshow outside the Gaeltacht, Cian sees Raidis Na Gaeltachta as a perfect gateway to achieving truly fresh programming in Irish radio.
"The Irish language used to be the first language but now it is an alternative language. The musical approach of An Taobh Tuathail totally suits that mood."
An Taobh Tuathail goes Live at the Temple Bar Music Centre Dublin on Sunday 19th March and An Culturlannn Theatre, Belfast on Sunday March 25th. 110th Street kicks off fortnightly in Galway's Town Hall Theatre. An Taobh Tuathaill broadcasts between 9pm-11pm Monday-Friday, and 8.30pm-11pm at the weekends on Raidis Na Gaeltachta 92-94 FM.