We Have Made History... And We Have History Still To Make

Si's Sights And Sounds reflects on Derry-Londonderry 2013 to date, hailing the city's achievements, identifying areas for improvement and looking to the future. Featuring Highlights Of The Cultural Year So Far

It's been said that the strength of a person, or people, is not defined by how he, she or they prepare for everything to go right, but by how he, she or they stand up and move. And that is exactly how Derry-Londonderry is being judged just over half way through the City Of Culture year.

Watching that Voices video (below), which never gets old despite the Peace Bridge being far from complete at the time, reminds one how full of hope and ideas we Derry citizens seemed to be at the time of our City Of Culture triumph back in 2010. As I noted last New Year's Eve, we were basking in an optimistic glow akin to Obamamania. Just Say Yes was our Yes We Can, except No We Hadn't. Not then.

But today, we can take much more than mere comfort in looking back at the numerous positive experiences of Derry-Londonderry 2013 to date.

The New Year fireworks were suitably spectacular. Three times, the city was a record breaker, firstly with the BBC Red Button on Sons & Daughters, secondly with the numerous Annies who packed Ebrington Square, and thirdly with the Brides Across The Bridge. Political Mother blew our minds. The Music Promise has benefitted, and is continuing to benefit, many young people. Almost 40,000 lined the streets for the Return Of Colmcille. The Royal Ballet and the London Symphony Orchestra performed to sell out crowds. Both TV and the naked eye bore witness to iconographic imagery and numerous popular musical genres at Other Voices and BBC Radio One's Big Weekend. And there's still Lumiere, The Turner Prize and The Fleadh to come, among other things.

Everything up to and including City Of Culture 2013 has given many, including this writer, vision and drive; the chance to, as Fleadh volunteer Sheila Kearney put it, rekindle creative energy and explore new possibilities. Previously lesser known artists like Tommy Long have had the chance to exhibit, and pass on their skills to the next generation. John Peto's Digital Book Of Kells has been a valuable historical and technological learning tool for children all over the city. Entrepreneurs like Joanne Doherty of Piece Makers have told stories about the city through their products and technology.

Clearly, a lasting communal and cultural impact has already been made, stretching beyond sight and sound, and begging to be strengthened and cemented.

It is how we strengthen and cement this impact that will shape the legacy of 2013. We've created energy, an archive that will be with us forever – but what will we do with it? And how will we build on it?

To these eyes, Derry-Londonderry's maximum potential has yet to be fulfilled. An improved transport system, despite the reopening of the train line, is still called for. Some events have been better publicised than others. And I retain my belief that we can more than take a leaf from Our Friends In The East and encourage the many musicians who play in Belfast to also play in Derry-Londonderry. Venues such as the Nerve Centre, Masons and Sandinos are more than capable of regularly exhibiting the best in popular music to all of us. The Jazz Festival is proof of this.

Furthermore, we all know that Ebrington's Venue will not last beyond the end of the year. So how will we go about continuing its success? While a permanent arts venue of similar size would be ideal, it's also a pipedream in today's economic climate.

The multitude of memories and monuments, including the Peace Bridge and the new Guildhall, have been major steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done if the pleasures of the City Of Culture are to become truly substantial. Derry-Londonderry is full of dreams and possibilities, but not everyone has been or will be fortunate enough to experience these.

As convincingly illustrated in the above video, City Of Culture 2013 has given something to believe in, creating and highlighting the undeniable talent, sense of life and potential the city possesses. Whether we choose to create anything lasting with this potential is what will ultimately define us both as a city and as a cultural hub.

We have made history... and we have history still to make.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CULTURAL YEAR SO FAR...

FILM

Jump: A highly effective, unpredictable mood piece where the "buzz" and "excitement" surrounding our protagonists, (a suitably world-weary Nichola Burley and an excellent Martin McCann) isn't enough to drown out the lifelessness and soullessness they clearly feel.

Good Vibrations: Glenn Leyburn & Lisa Barros D'Sa's chronicle of Belfast punk Godfather Terri Hooley. A well-paced, consistently riveting and at times bitingly funny tale about chasing one's aspirations in extremely turbulent times, featuring a powerhouse performance from Richard Dormer in the lead role.

THEATRE

Annie: The extraordinary talented leads and ensemble of the Londonderry Musical Society sing, speak, shout and scene-steal their way to success in Deigh Reid's highly enjoyable take on a classic show.

Re-Energize: Playwright Gary Mitchell, director Conall Morrison and their cast play with and subvert a cliché-ridden scenario, creating a "rock play" worthy of its title. This one's less about the band and more about the bond.

LOCAL MUSICIANS

Excluding the more established favourites like Paddy Nash, Neil Hannon, Paul Casey, Bronagh Gallagher and The Undertones, here are a series of local singers/artists who have really caught the eye so far this year.

Honorable mentions: Intermission, John Deery And The Heads, We Are Aerials.

GRIM: Otherwise known as Laurence McDaid, his brand of quiet punk reminds one of an angst-ridden Ian Curtis and the surreal humour of Thomas Truax. It's not for everyone, but it makes a strong impression.

Our Krypton Son: Composed, dependable and accomplished musicianship, a deceptively sullen demeanour masking the versatile and sometimes upbeat blend of rock, jazz, country and pop that Chris McConaghy, aka Our Krypton Son, is capable of.

Little Bear: They got their big chance at Other Voices Derry and grabbed it with both hands. Grounded, eclectic, easy to listen to and positively entertaining, Steven McCool and his no-longer-so-little bears are deservedly set to continue making waves on the local music scene and beyond.

The Clameens: Pete Doherty's a fan! And when you listen to single "She's Got My Heart" and watch them perform live, it's easy to see why. Their catchy riffs and inspiring on stage chemistry remind you of Franz Ferdinand in their pre-fame prime, and is tailor made for both clubs and arenas.

SOAK: Both charming and surprising in her graceful simplicity, sixteen-year-old Bridie Monds-Watson has already proven herself capable of providing something for everyone; pleasant, delicate, clear & unforced vocals, remarkably mature guitar playing, and a close-to-home, easy-going sense of humour.

Best Boy Grip: Not just an accomplished pianist, Eoin O'Callaghan is also a terrific songwriter, repeatedly matching catchy and/or entrancing melodies to risque, devious and intelligent lyrics worthy of one of my (and surely one of his) idols, Neil Hannon.

Mairead Carlin: Her vocals and stage presence are impossible to forget. The words that I used to describe her performance at Sons & Daughters still stand today: "Pitch perfect... sweet without being syrupy... powerful without being overbearing... optimistic... humble... genuinely spellbinding. Honestly, what is not to like?"

EVENTS

Music City: The Sky Orchestra: The sight and sound of six balloons on my doorstep that Saturday morning was truly something to behold.

North By Northwest Festival: One of two festivals (the other being The Big Weekend) that gave Derry-Londonderry's music lovers something to believe in again, providing a vast array of local folk, indie and rock talent for all to enjoy.

Home Grown: Three of the city's best known musicians - Paddy Nash, Bronagh Gallagher and Paul Casey - kicked off the City Of Culture year in style. What better way to crowd and energize the Millennium Forum than with a concert that both brings people together and embraces local roots?

Columba Canticles: This quietly uplifting, exquisite and melodic narrative concoction will probably be best remembered for the version of Jerusalem that preceded it; but the stellar musicianship on show at St. Columb's Cathedral that night should not be forgotten either.

Other Voices: Opening Night featured SOAK and Neil Hannon; Night Two featured Bronagh Gallagher and Marina & The Diamonds; and the Final Night featured Little Bear and Beth Orton. What an interesting, eclectic and sometimes exciting mixture of talent we were treated to at the Glassworks. We were lucky to have it.

Macklemore (One Big Weekend): This was awesome. Need I say more?

At Sixes And Sevens: A lively musical chronicle of Derry-Londonderry's past, present and future that offered excitement and elegance in equal measure.

Elvis Costello: The English crooner rolled back the years with a seasoned, slick and stylish Derry debut. Who will forget "She"?

Neil Cowley (City Of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival): The UK City Of Culture's musician in residence, and his band, provided a thunderous euphony of contrasting jazz styles. Cowley may not quite have the musical reputation of Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby and Sir Elton John, to name but a few, but his tempo, commitment and humility surely exceed them all.

Pink Martini: Again, sheer awesomeness; and it wasn't just the cinematic and televisual musical storytelling of China Forbes and her ensemble. It was the sight of everyone wanting to conga in the aisles of the Millennium Forum.

Sons And Daughters: Much more than a concert; a stylish celebration of musical talent both young and old, an artistic exhibition for both the Maiden City and Ebrington's Venue on both the national and international stage.

Political Mother: Original, innovative, multi-layered, consistently kinetic and, above all, exciting, Hofesh Shechter's piece drew upon a series of cultures, instruments, voices, movements and beats to create a music and dance spectacle worthy of the status Derry-Londonderry has achieved. It was an audio-visual treat, a series of stunning sights and talented artists that were impossible to look away from, where numerous cultures intersperse with one another to create a sometimes haphazard but overall unforgettable kaleidoscope. In other words, it was the perfect fit for these turbulent times, and it set a standard for entertainment in this cultural year that has yet to be equalled at the time of writing.