There is a reason The Quietus picked John Francis Flynn’s ‘Mole In The Ground’ as their track of the year for 2023 and why his second album ‘Look Over the Wall, See The Sky’ was number 5 in their albums of the year. Starting with a rolling, plucked acoustic line before the cello and drums kick in, ‘Mole In The Ground’ is a phenomenal piece of music. It dances across your attention, lifting your heart in a maudlin but beautiful way with Flynn’s half-spoken surreal lyrics, before the flashes of distorted guitar hit you in the groin.

Flynn is part of the same Irish experimental folk scene that has given the beautiful glory of Lankum to the world. His music, however, has a more hushed approach; taking more from the blues. His releases would sit happily on the shelf next to your Cohen, Lanagan, and Waits records – although he doesn’t exactly sound like those guys. Perhaps it is the way he effortlessly takes from the old, from the history of music, to create something new and beautiful with his use of traditional and found songs. Perhaps it is how full the music is of art and life lived.

SOURCE has never had the pleasure of seeing Flynn’s performance translate on the live stage, but our excitement is palpable. A perhaps unwise Google search of live reviews makes it clear we have reason to be this excited. At his recent show at Vicar Street in Dublin, Hot Press describe him as singing like he had a light shining in his chest, while heaping praise on his “exceptional band”.

To make the evening even more special Love Thy Neighbour have excelled in selecting the local support. Flynn will be joined on the night by fellow musical voyager Hollow Hand, with his excellent backing band, and Samuel Organ of Physics House Band fame opens the night up with his charismatic solo performance. This promises to be a very special evening.

Love Thy Neighbour presents John Francis Flynn
Concorde 2, Tuesday 30th January 2024
Tickets available here