Riverbank Arts Centre is delighted to present this special event to celebrate Imbolc and Brigid’s Day. This unique event will feature three of Kildare’s finest female singer-songwriters: Megan O’Neill, Sive and Heidi Talbot, in an ‘In The Round’ style.

Songwriters ‘In the Round’ style shows originated in Nashville, Tennessee at the Bluebird Café, where it is now a hallmark tradition. This adored style of gig usually features 3-5 songwriters, taking turns singing their own original material and sharing the stories behind their songs.

Get ready for this cosy, informal and conversational night – where these three incredible Irish singer-songwriters will get personal, have fun on stage and let you in on some beloved stories and tales from their lives.

Megan O’Neill
Named one of the Irish Examiner’s Ones to Watch, Irish Singer – Songwriter Megan O’Neill is currently working on a new collection of songs set for release next year. Having shared the stage with the likes of Sir Tom Jones, Jamie Cullum, Lighthouse Family and Glen Hansard, O’Neill has travelled the globe with her original music throughout the past decade. She has had her work featured in hit Netflix TV show Firefly Lane and ABC’s Nashville, as well as performing twice on Ireland’s beloved Late Late Show.

“ONE OF THE MOST COMMANDING VOCALISTS WORKING TODAY” – AMERICAN SONGWRITER

Sive
Sive is a songwriter and musician dubbed ‘one of the most inspiring and exciting artists of our time’ by Female First UK. Since releasing her album The Roaring Girl in 2017 she has earned her stripes as a live act and has toured extensively across Ireland and beyond, sharing stages with the likes of Gemma Hayes, Lisa Hannigan and John Spillane. In 2018, Sive began working with VETA Records and together they released We Begin in Darkness, an album that was described as ‘hugely impressive’ by Paul McLoone on RTE Arena. In 2023/24, Sive was commissioned by Brigid 1500 to compose ‘n Cloak & Womb, a song cycle that toured across folk festivals, heritage centres and universities throughout the year. Her most recent offering is a musical setting of Refaat Alareer’s poem If I Must Die, which was released on Bandcamp in aid of Doctors Without Borders work in Palestine . She is currently working on her fourth studio album.

Heidi Talbot

Irish singer/composer Heidi Talbot was born in Kill Village, Co. Kildare, Ireland and became a folk star in the USA as a member of the Irish American band Cherish the Ladies, and now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. With a background like that, it’s hardly surprising she should develop a style that switches easily between Celtic, contemporary and Americana. Over the past twenty years Heidi has performed all over the world, from the finest Concert Halls and Festivals to the White House.

Having recently completed her post graduate degree with the Film Scoring Academy of Europe, and writing and arranging brass orchestration for her latest playlisted Christmas single, Heidi was named Composer of the Year at the 2023 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Previously Heidi has been nominated for Best Female Vocalist at The Irish Music Awards, composer of the year at the Scottish music awards, Singer of the year and Best Traditional Song by BBC Radio 2, and Best Live Act by the Scottish Traditional Music Awards. She has shared the stage and recorded with Mark Knopfler, Graham Coxon(Blur), Philip Selway (Radiohead), Donal Lunny, Sharon Shannon, Eddi Reader, Idlewild, Matt Rollings, King Creosote, Tim O’Brien and Jerry Douglas.

In the last 6 years Heidi has recorded four solo albums/Ep’s adding to her already extensive discography, all self released including her latest album, the critically acclaimed Sing It For A Lifetime, distributed by Universal Records 2023 has been a busy year and has seen Heidi working with multi award winning composer, Christian Henson on an upcoming series for TV and her Winter Tour across Scotland and England with Boo Hewerdine. 2024 brings new recording projects and an international touring schedule.