2013 was an amazing year for The Dionnes. It felt like the gods were smiling on us actually because so many fantastic opportunities came our way. I have to say one of the most special moments was singing at my sister’s wedding in May. I suppose there are a few others we’d have to mention too…
March:
We performed at The Spectacular Vintage Wedding Fair at the Davenport Hotel, Dublin. This was such a special event. It was like fairyland, filled with the most exquisite stalls, from cupcakes to vintage headpieces and gorgeous antique lace veils. We met some amazing and creative vendors from all over the country, and some lovely couples whose weddings’ we subsequently played at. You have to enjoy that aspect too, being in a wedding band. You have to love meeting and chatting to new people. Luckily we do!
April:
We were invited by Joan D’arcy to perform at The Vintage Fashion Fair at The Burlington. This was another amazing event, and an opportunity for people to see us dressed head to toe in vintage gear singing the songs they love. All the mods and vespa drivers and northern soul lovers were digging it!
September:
How excited were we when Pat Neary invited us to play The Body&Soul and Earthship stages at Electric Picnic 2013. What a fantastic weekend. Too many stories to tell here, although one of my standout memories involves me, Catherine, and Sharon rushing from campsite to stage (a fair distance) in gold dresses and wellies while somebody shouted ‘here come the bridesmaids’!
Also in September we put together a show called ‘The Soul of Motown’ which charted some of the history and background of Motown and the Berry Gordy era. We were surprised and delighted when Ian Dempsey came along, apparently he’s a huge Motown fan. He then mentioned us on his show the following Monday morning. We were chuffed!
December:
When our Christmas shows at the Purty Kitchen sold out we didn’t think December could get any better. Then we found out we’d be singing live on Pat Kenny’s Christmas show on Newstalk. What’s more we’d be sharing a green room with Gordon d’Arcy, Pat Shortt and Louis Walsh to name but a few. What lucky gals eh? Sheesh, 2014’s going to have a lot to live up to!
What are your plans/goals for 2014?
Adding some more contemporary tunes to our setlist. At the moment we are working on a cool Motown version of Pharrell William’s ‘Happy’, such a great song. We love adding new dance moves too, to make the visual aspect of the show as entertaining as the music. The choreography is such an important part of Motown music. We get inspired by watching youtube footage of The Temptations, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Martha and the Vandellas, their moves were so seemingly simple, but so effortlessly cool.
Ooh, and we’re planning some new outfits! At the moment we are dreaming of sequinned halterneck dresses, very ‘Supremes’.
What we have learned in 2013?
That Motown never went away. People LOVE it. And it is still a big influence on today’s artists, you can hear it when listen to Cee lo Green, Stooshe, and Pharrell, and Amy Winehouse of course, that Motown sound is there. And everyone knows these songs, even if they think they know nothing about Motown. we’ve seen the stampedes to the dancefloor when people hear the intro to Dancin’ in the Street, Stop In The Name of Love, or Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!
What are you looking forward as a band in 2014?
Weddings are such a big part of what we do and we always feel so priveliged to be a part of such a special day in someone’s life. We are looking forward to many more full dancefloors, happy couples and some amazing venues in 2014. And we are planning more festival appearances too.
Our wedding showcase is at the Purty Kitchen on Sunday 19th January at 8pm, so all you newly engaged couples come along to this free event and see what we do. And stick around for a chat afterwards too if you like!
We’re looking forward to our Valentine’s Party also at The Purty Kitchen on 15th February. This is a supper-club event and The Purty do amazing food, so it’s really a great night out. Such a lovely atmosphere there. The meal and show tickets are €29/gig tickets are now available on www.thepurtykitchen.com.
