US Ambassador Kevin F. O’Malley’s Creative Minds series returned this week as he hosted a send-off for the Irish artists and entrepreneurs attending this years SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.
The goal of the Creative Minds series is to strengthen cultural ties between Ireland and The United States through music and the arts. Glen Hansard, Ben Folds, and John Prine are among some of the many artists who have performed in the intimate settings of the Ambassador’s home in Phoenix Park.
The evening featured short sets from two of the artists heading to Austin next week. Rosie Carney, who performed at Other Voices in 2013 at the age of 16, played her new single Better Man while Plec Picks 2016’s Saint Sister played songs from their debut EP, closing the show with the title track Madrid.
Between musical performances Cathy Sheridan of The Irish Times chaired a panel discussion featuring experienced SXSW veterans from both the music industry and technology startups. Sage advice for the departing delegates included “you need an American story”, don’t over extend yourself, and don’t expect your world to change overnight from this one event.
To see a full gallery of images from the evening, click the picture below:
