We are delighted to announce our first Willowbrook Whispers show of 2026. Friday 24th April is the date, and we have a fantastic artist to kick it off. Many of you will know him as Keith Plunkett, he will perform with his 3 piece band, at Willowbrook under his new name ‘Kit James‘ . Support act on the night will be joanne Gallagher. 

Kit James is an Indie-Folk artist from the West of Ireland now living in Dublin city. Kit’s style of writing touches on themes of nature, love and death – immersive stories and observational takes on the joys and sorrows of life. His live performance focuses on unique finger-style guitar playing using strange open tunings – sometimes performed percussively to create a rhythmic soundscape that drives like a drum. Accompanied by Maeve Kelly on the cello and Shane Smith with ambient electric guitars, Kit’s live show offers a huge atmospheric sound to immerse yourself in, previously having supported the likes of the Hothouse Flowers, Declan O’Rourke and Hudson Taylor and appearing on festival bills such as Electric Picnic and All Together Now.

RUN is the new single released by Kit just before the new year of 2026. With spacious instrumentation and intimate vocals RUN carries a reflective and wistful story, capturing the tension between staying and leaving his countryside home as a young man, longing for the busy city life and the quiet hope of finding clarity somewhere in motion. This track was self produced by Kit and Quentin Thane Singer, who engineered and mixed the track.

Hailing from Killala, Co. Mayo, Joanne Gallagher (19) has immersed herself in music from a very young age. When Joanne was in primary school she attended Maureen Lawlor’s Centre Stage Vocal Academy. She then went on to work with renowned vocal tutor Lavinia Slater Gilmartin.  In 2022 Joanne won 1st prize at Ballina Busking Competition for the Ballina Salmon Festival and was a judge for the competition the following year.

Joanne Performed for “Live at Three” event in Linen Hall Street, Castlebar & recently at the Big Day on the Mall in conjunction with Music Generation Mayo. She was the winner of the today fms big busk for focus Ireland. Raising over €3.5k in under 5 days for homelessness in Ireland. As part of her prize she got to open up for dec pierce block rockin beats at whelans main stage.

Tickets to the show are:

€20 + BF  – General admission

€70 + BF  – Show + Accommodation for Friday night (min. 2 ticket purchase required)

€35 + BF  – Show and camping for Friday night. (Per person, not per camping pitch – one ticket per person attending the show and camping)

€25 on the door if the event does not sell out

3 Concert Series tickets:

We also have a discounted ticket available which covers all 3 of the Willowbrook Whispers shows this spring:

Kit James + Support TBA – Friday 24th April

Clare Sands + Support TBA – Saturday 16th May

Áine Tyrrell + Support TBA – Friday 19th June

€50 + BF for all 3 shows

Please note this is an unlicensed event and there will be no bar in operation during the show. Patrons are advised to bring their own alcohol or soft drinks, should they wish to have a drink at the show. This show will be recorded with a short video being uploaded to Youtube.

Tickets are transferrable but non-refundable. Thank you for supporting grassroots music in the west of Ireland.