Disquiet Nights: RÓIS

Galway Arts Centre presents the next instalment of the Disquiet Nights Late-Night Series with RÓIS .

Fermanagh artist RÓIS (Irish for Rose, pronounced RAW-sh) is a composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and electronic artist from Fermanagh, whose songs breathe new life into a forgotten Ireland. Blending elements of folk, sean-nós, electronics, and jazz harmony, RÓIS’ genre-bending sound transports listeners to a different realm. With shapeshifting sets, no two performances are ever the same, as audiences accompany RÓIS into her sound world.

Expect twists and turns of tempo and genre, and moments of sheer magic, as she conducts the energy of the room. This is a place where the ancient meets the new. RÓIS’ ethereal voice has been compared to the likes of Björk, Meredith Monk and Hatis Noit. It is a vocal style rooted in traditional sean-nós singing, as she summons the dead and forgotten, with ancient ‘keenin songs. With RÓIS’ performances the old and the new are enmeshed, alongside encapsulating visuals, in the hope of creating good art. Leading audiences into a realm of mysticism and creating a space for introspection, these live experiences are completely unique.

She is set to release her concept EP MO LÉAN, celebrating Ireland’s ancient traditions around death, on 4th October, followed by an Ireland and UK tour in October-November 2024, presented by Moving On Music/Middle Aisle.

The first single, CAOINE, is out today. This EP, produced with John Spud Murphy (OXN/Lankum), explores the grieving process through original songs and hymns, from chaos and emotional outpouring to cathartic release.

MO LÉAN reimagines the ancient Irish tradition of “keening”—a lamenting wail performed by women at wakes. Inspired by historic keening recordings, RÓIS gives this tradition a modern reworking while honoring its origins, using voice to transcend death and offer communal expression of grief.

The Irish Wake Tour brings the lost traditions of the wake into contemporary times, celebrating community and shared mourning as core parts of Irish life.

Click here to listen.

About RÓIS

RÓIS is a composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and electronic artist from Fermanagh, whose
songs breathe new life into a forgotten Ireland. Blending elements of folk, sean-nós, electronics, and
jazz harmony, RÓIS’ genre-bending sound transports listeners to a different realm. With shapeshifting
sets, no two performances are ever the same, as audiences accompany RÓIS into her sound world.
Expect twists and turns of tempo and genre, and moments of sheer magic, as she conducts the
energy of the room. This is a place where the ancient meets the new.

RÓIS’ ethereal voice has been compared to the likes of Björk, Meredith Monk and Hatis Noit. It is a
vocal style rooted in traditional sean-nós singing, as she summons the dead and forgotten, with
ancient ‘keening’ songs. With RÓIS’ performances the old and the new are enmeshed, alongside
encapsulating visuals, in the hope of creating good art. Leading audiences into a realm of mysticism
and creating a space for introspection, these live experiences are completely unique.

Disquiet Nights is curated by Megs Morley and Produced by Black Gate Galway. Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media through the Late Night Events Scheme.