How Have Reggae and Blues Influenced Ireland’s Entertainment?

Soulful Vibes on the Emerald Isle – How Have Reggae and Blues Influenced Ireland’s Entertainment Industry?

Ireland may be geographically distant from the birthplaces of soul, reggae, and blues, but there’s no doubt that these genres have had a huge influence on the music of the country. There are many historical connections between the Emerald Isle and the cultures that developed these forms of music.

While Irish music may be traditionally highly distinct from the likes of reggae and soul, it’s easy to pinpoint some of the influences that they have had on artists in the country. These genres have also influenced the wider entertainment industry in the region.

Cultural Connections

There are historical connections between Ireland and the birthplaces of soulful music. For example, in the 17th Century, Irish laborers were brought to Jamaica. It’s estimated that around 10,000 people left Ireland for the Caribbean country to claim land that was available for small farmers. Indeed, by the 1800s, around 10 percent of landowners in the country were of Irish origin. Irish people are the second largest ethnic group in Jamaica, with the first being Jamaicans of African heritage. This means that many modern-day Jamaicans have Irish ancestry, and a lot of these people will have played a part in the rise of reggae in the country.

There are also many people with African roots that have emigrated to Ireland, and with them, they have brought their love of soul, reggae, blues, and jazz. During World War II, there were countless African-American soldiers posted in Ireland, and it’s now estimated that there are more than 60,000 people in the country who identify as Black or Black Irish.

Ideas about music have often been shared between people of Irish and African ancestry, and it’s easy to see how the differing musical genres have influenced each other in many ways. This is sometimes done through collaboration, or it can also come in the form of cover versions of famous songs. One prime instance of this was when Van Morrison wrote and recorded Fast Train in 2002 and then Solomon Burke released his own version in the same year. The two songs were wildly different in style but had the same lyrics and structure. Van the Man himself has a lot of blues structures and chord patterns in his music as well and has helped push the genre into the mainstream over the years.

A great example of a band that combines Irish and reggae influences is The Dubtones. The band led by Ciaran O’Meachair has been credited with bringing reggae music to a wider audience in Ireland. Their songs combine Jamaican reggae rhythms with Irish instruments, resulting in a unique fusion that has acted as a gateway for many people to learn about different music genres in the country.

Bluesy Rhythms in the Irish Music Scene

One musical genre with African roots that has had a heavy influence on Irish music is the blues. Many elements of blues music have been integrated into the traditional offerings from the Emerald Isle. There are numerous Irish blues musicians that have had a significant impact on the entertainment industry in the country. For instance, Rory Gallagher is regarded as one of the best blues guitarists of all time.

The late performer is credited with inspiring the likes of Brian May and Eric Clapton, and he is regarded as the 57th greatest guitarist of all time. However, he has also been referred to as the “The greatest guitarist you’ve never heard of.” This is because he wasn’t commercially successful during his short career, and during his heyday, he was pushing a genre that wasn’t mainstream in Ireland. There’s no doubt that Gallagher’s legacy lived on, though, and inspired many other Irish musicians to explore soulful music genres.

The Hot Sprockets was a more recent band that blended soul and blues with an Irish sound. They were formed in the early 2000s and amassed a large following before their split in 2018. Damien Dempsey is another recent artist who has fused reggae with Irish folk to great effect. The 47-year-old is still active today.

Along with seminal artists like Gallagher, there have also been plenty of blues festivals and events in Ireland, which have brought the styles to a greater number of people. The Cork Jazz Festival is a massive annual offering that attracts thousands, while there’s also the Dublin Blues, Roots, and Brass Festival that brings in local and international blues enthusiasts. The events are a prime opportunity to celebrate the heritage of these music varieties and showcase some of the best talents around.

Impact on the Entertainment Industry in Ireland

The influence of reggae and blues music in Ireland goes beyond the music scene and has had a broader impact on the entertainment industry. It’s clear that the incorporation of these genres into Ireland’s entertainment landscape has helped bring diversity and richness to the culture of the country. This has, in turn, led to the attraction of more diverse audiences to Irish entertainment.

Companies that offer entertainment to people in Ireland now must consider this diversity, and market their offerings to a broad spectrum of consumers. Many festivals are now geared toward as wide-ranging a demographic as possible. For example, the Electric Picnic and the Body & Soul Festival have both featured reggae and blues acts, alongside local musicians and DJs.

This is reflected in online entertainment as well, with gaming sites also offering a range of diverse options to appeal to as many players as possible. When players search for the best online slots in Ireland, for instance, many of the sites are recommended based on the number of slots they provide. There are even some musical-themed titles designed to appeal to music lovers. Jazz is one of the top titles at Doggo and features a saxophone player on the thumbnail.

There are also instances in which it’s clear that reggae and blues are on the ascendancy in the Irish entertainment industry. Artists like Cian Finn are helping bring music to younger generations, using the power of the internet and social media to do so. There could be many more cases of crossovers between Irish music with reggae, blues, and soul in the future.

There’s no doubt that the influence of reggae and blues has been massive on Ireland’s entertainment industry. Some of the greatest musicians of all time from the country were heavily inspired by these genres, with the likes of Morrison and Gallagher being among the best. The blending of these music styles in Ireland highlights how art in the country is open to evolution and diversity, and this is reflected in the sprawling entertainment industry with its varied offerings.