Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

In the last couple of years, under the moniker Shampain, Cóilí Collins has been behind some of the most inventive and ambitious gigs in Galway. From selling out the Big Top with KETTAMA to live scoring 1934 silent film Man of Aran, Collins has hosted top tier club nights in venues most wouldn’t think to attempt booking. And his latest offering is his most expansive.

Aiséirí takes place this Saturday, December 21, in Leisureland. A Shampain and Strange Brew collaboration, it blends live and electronic sounds together on a lineup that features experimental shoegaze five-piece Just Mustard, Lankum mainstay Ian Lynch’s solo project One Leg One Eye and Collins’ fellow Inverin native Olan Monk.

“I was wanting to do a gig in Leisureland for the longest time,” Collins says.

“It has a live feel to it obviously as a venue. I’m sure a lot of people might remember it through teen discos – that’s the dance music heritage I think it has – but it’s predominantly known as a live venue. I just thought if you’re going to do something there, you may as well really lean into that aspect.

“I really wanted Olan to play. That was the first name on my list. And I’m the biggest Just Mustard fan ever. This is the best chance to do a gig with them. Once I got those two, I thought I may as well keep digging in that direction.

“And having Ian Lynch on the lineup is so cool. Probably the coolest out of the lot and I don’t think the other two would mind me saying that.”

Collins has championed Olan Monk for some time. Gothic and emo-adjacent, they are developing a cult reputation among experimental music fans, recently featuring on acclaimed post-punk three-piece Moin’s latest album. Collins believes Monk’s music has a very high ceiling.

“Olan’s probably my favourite artist right now,” he says. “They’re from Inverin like me. They’re really unique. Touches on lots of stuff that’s cool to do with Irish music but not in a corny way, and very much has their own sound that people like all over the world.

Pictured: Shampain .. .big night in Leisureland this Saturday.