Standing room only as nine-piece band Toucan fills the main stage at the Theatre Royal Waterford on Saturday night. Led by Tramore’s Conor Clancy the unique formation of musicians from Waterford, Kilkenny, Cork and Limerick kicked off their 2023 Irish Tour and by the end of the gig the packed audience were dancing on their feet to the insatiable rhythm of soul, funk, and pop that echoed throughout the three-tier Victorian building.

Opening a spectacular night at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night was Cork-based singer-songwriter SAL (Sara Ryan) and her band. The Kildare native with a huge vocal range made a lasting impact on her Waterford debut. Having been on the road touring during 2022 SAL released her new single ‘Red Wine’ in February.

Speaking about her release, SAL said: “I wrote ‘Red Wine’ in the depths of winter by candlelight. It’s a song about struggling to let go and facing a painful truth. A longing to hold on to how things used to be and knowing that the weight of love you have for someone might always feel like an indulgence but it’s all that you know. The song fell out of me effortlessly, it almost felt like the song was waiting for me to write it".

"I recorded ‘Red Wine’ with a recording collective here in Cork, Ireland called Catalyst. I have never felt more at ease and comfortable in a recording setting. The song just fell into place without much discussion between the musicians, producer or me about what was needed. It was all extremely intuitive, and gentle and fell into place so beautifully. The trumpet and piano were tracked after the live recording. These embellishments added so much more sadness and vulnerability to the song, which complemented the lyric in the most perfect way”.