"One of the major highlights of summer entertainment in Ireland," the Galway International Arts Festival spans from July 17th to July 30th across several venues in the harbour city. It doesn't just host phenomenal music, but theatre, comedy, art, and more.

Already announced for this year's program are the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Bell X1, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Saw Doctors, and Pavement.

Now, it's also been announced that Galway dance label and hip hop imprint G-Town, founded by iconic DJs Kettama and Shampain, are taking over their first festival: the Galway International Arts Festival and the Róisín Dubh.

On Instagram, the label declared the announcement in all caps.

"We're taking over the @galwayintarts Big Top and we're bringing a crew with us! A historic night in Galway music history is on the cards."

 

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"Joining Kettama will be label co-founder DJ Shampain (duh) and we've still got a couple more yet to announce."

G-Town Records was established back in 2015 by the dance music icon Kettama and the world-travelling, cult hit Shampain. Now, the label will be playing from Heineken Big Top in a legendary showcase spotlighting Ireland's best emerging and establish talent.

It's not an endeavour the label or the DJ duo undertakes lightly: Kettama and Shampain have been working to support local Irish talent since 2020. With local projects, partnerships with the likes of Galway United FC, and promoting emerging producers' music, they've been hard at work to nourish and reinvigorate the local music scene.

Their take-over is set for July 23rd, with plans to go all night. The label added on Instagram that there is "much more news to follow," encouraging festival goers to keep posted on news to know who's playing as a part of the G-Town takeover's set.

Find tickets to the Galway International Arts Festival, starting from €35,  here: