Síon

A unique, dynamic and immersive experience of music and imagery inspired by our natural world. The debut performance of Sion comes to the Art Deco for the opening night of the Cairde Arts Festival, July 4th 2026.

Drawn from an old Irish phrase for stormy or changeable weather (la na seacht sion), Sion brings together three of Sligo's finest musicians to perform a new suite of original compositions. Dave McLoughlin, Anna Huston and Ray Coen draw on their influences in classical, traditional and contemporary music to create a varied and beautiful soundscape over the course of the performance. The musicians play live to a backdrop of imagery of our planet's varied and spectacular weather. Noel Fitzpatrick (meteorologist and photographer)
draws together a broad range of visuals from gentle sunrises over Irish landscapes to roaring Atlantic seas to powerful thunderstorms over Tornado Alley. These images will be blended and projected in harmony with the music throughout the performance, creating a captivating and impactful atmosphere.