New name but the soul’s the same

Ireland’s only soul music festival is returning to Cork this month and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.

Soul Fest, formerly Soul in the City, will be back on Leeside from 26-28 August with a jam-packed programme of funk, soul, and all kinds of entertainment.

Headlining this year are Chicago-born singer and storyteller Karen Underwood, and acclaimed singer and educator Laoise Leahy, who will take over City Hall on the Friday and Saturday respectively.

Karen, who has been living in Cork for more than two decades, has performed in countless festivals, concerts and shows, never failing to wow audiences with her confessionary style performances and powerful voice.

Laoise has performed with the likes of Damien Rice, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Bon Iver, Damon Alburn, Jack O’Rourke, Brian Deady. Her shows are a combination of original soul music and some famous covers. Her original work incorporates influences of jazz, blues, electronic, dance, and folk.

Soul Fest Programme Director, Sinéad Dunphy of Eventi Management, said: “Soul Fest is the new name but the festival still has its original heart and soul at it’s very core.

“The festival was one of the first to return to live gigs last year and we’re going bigger and better this year with more concerts, bigger venues, and more surprises!”

Soul Fest promises a weekend of fun and the guarantee of something for everyone. Music trails featuring Cork’s best loved pubs and clubs will run throughout the festival and a real live Soul Train will dance its way through the streets of Cork on the Friday to kick off the festivities.

Sunday will see the return of the much-anticipated Block Party with some soulful sounds to close out the weekend.

The festival, which was founded in Cork in 2019, has had a big year so far having recently completed a social outreach programme with DEIS schools around the city.

Karen Underwood, who is deeply involved in the programme, said: “With the negative influences of social media, peer pressure, and in the scope of a global pandemic, Soul Fest is bringing encouragement through music to schools one student at a time. These young people need more than formal learning.”

Tickets for the headline concerts, Karen Underwood and Laoise Leahy, are on sale now for €27 from soulfestcork.com.

Soul enthusiasts are advised to keep an eye on @soulfestcork across all socials for more announcements and special surprises!