The Music Show

Irish singer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Irvine has been coming on The Music Show for over thirty years, so he's the perfect person to start our occasional 2026 series Music Now & Then, in which Andy (Ford) speaks to long-running guests about how the world of music around them has changed over the years. Andy spoke to Andy in front of a gaggle of session-goers at the Gaelic Club in Sydney.
The Music Show is recorded on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Technical production by Harvey O'Sullivan and Simon Branthwaite

Spanish violinist María Dueñas makes her Australian debut with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Signed to Deutsche Grammophon since she was nineteen, her distinctive style of playing, her expressiveness, and her youth have all captured audiences. She talks to Andy about embracing canonical repertoire like Beethoven, and new music like the work she's premiered by Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz. 
Claire Edwardes is an old friend of the show: one of Australia's pre-eminent percussionists, a composer, and the artistic director of new music group Ensemble Offspring, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Her new album, Dual Attractor, is a celebration of marimba and vibraphone, as well as the music of women composers and arrangers... and it ends with a bang. 
María Dueñas performs with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra March 13 & 14, and with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra March 19, 20, & 21. 
Claire Edwardes launches Dual Attractor in Melbourne, Amsterdam, Adelaide, and Canberra between now and July. 
Asteroid Ekosystem launch Sounds Have Dreams in Sydney 20 & 21 March.

On stage at WOMADelaide, the world's festival on Kaurna Country, Andy hosts bands from Tanzania, Colombia, and India via the USA. The Zawose Queens, La Perla, and Ganavya demonstrate their diverse musical languages in front of a live audience. 
The Music Show is made on Kaurna, Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country
Technical production by Ann-Marie Debettencor

First discovered as a 17-year-old, Annahstasia found the music industry had a vision for her that she didn't recognise. Leaving the industry behind gave her a chance to find her voice - both metaphorically and literally, with months spent testing various mics and studios to get the right right for her latest album, Tether. While she points to influences like Nina Simone and Bill Withers, Annahstasia shares with the Music Show that it was schoolyard bullying that originally made her realise that she could sing.
When four jazz students in Sweden developed an interest in Scandinavian folk songs, they blended those influences together into an a cappella group, Åkervinda, that pays tribute to the past, while creating something entirely their own. Iris Bergcrantz, Agnes Åhlund, and Linda Bergström talk about their love for traditional music.
Title: Om Du är LedsenArtist: ÅkervindaComposer: ÅkervindaAlbum: Så Skall Hat och Avund SmältasLabel: Naxos
Title: VillainArtist: AnnahstasiaComposer: Annahstasia EnukeAlbum: TetherLabel: Drink Sum Wtr
Title: Be KindArtist: AnnahstasiaComposer: Annahstasia EnukeAlbum: TetherLabel: Drink Sum Wtr
Title: I Was Unhappy in My MarriageArtist: Bhutan BalladeersComposer: Bhutan BalladeersAlbum: Your Face Is Like The Moon, Your Eyes Are StarsLabel: Glitterbeat Records
Title: Jag Står Upp en MorgonArtist: ÅkervindaComposer: ÅkervindaAlbum: Så Skall Hat och Avund SmältasLabel: Naxos
Title: En MidsommaraftonArtist: ÅkervindaComposer: ÅkervindaAlbum: Så Skall Hat och Avund SmältasLabel: Naxos
Title: BlågetaArtist: ÅkervindaComposer: ÅkervindaAlbum: Så Skall Hat och Avund SmältasLabel: Naxos
Title: GuaracharArtist: La PerlaComposer: Diana Sanmiguel, Giovana Mogollón, Karen ForeroAlbum: GuaracharLabel: Independent release
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Kaurna, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country
Technical production by Ann-Marie Debettencor

Ron Sexsmith is a Canadian singer-songwriter who more than earns the title of tunesmith with his melodies and storytelling. He's back on The Music Show to talk about his latest album Hangover Terrace, about finding his voice eight albums into his career, and being a songwriter's songwriter.
Uncategorisable is how we like them on The Music Show and Mary Coughlan is certainly that. The Irish singer is headed to Australia for Port Fairy Folk Festival, and a run of other dates on what she says is her final Australian tour. 
Music heard in the show:
Title: I'd Rather Go Blind (live)Artist: Mary CoughlanComposer: Ellington Jordan, Billy Foster, Etta JamesAlbum: Live & KickingLabel: Hail Mary Records
Title: Don't Lose Sight, It's Been A While, Angel on My Shoulder, Must Be Something Wrong With HerArtist: Ron SexsmithComposer: Ron SexsmithAlbum: Hangover TerraceLabel: Cooking Vinyl
Title: Repeat RewindArtist: Mary CoughlanComposer: Mary Coughlan, Pete GlenisterAlbum: Repeat RewindLabel: Hail Mary Records
Title: Marital BlissArtist: Mary CoughlanComposer: Mary Coughlan, Pete GlenisterAlbum: Repeat RewindLabel: Hail Mary Records
Title: God Only KnowsArtist: Mary CoughlanComposer: Brian Wilson, Tony AsherAlbum: Repeat RewindLabel: Hail Mary Records
Title: MaishaArtist: The Zawose QueensComposer: The Zawose QueensAlbum: MaishaLabel: Real World
Technical production by Simon Branthwaite and Emrys Cronin
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.