The summer months in Dublin often seem bereft of traditional music events. Sure, there are sessions and hoofing aplenty but little of the 'pure drop' about - probably down to the plethora of summer schools and festivals that lend themselves to playing of the highest order. Well, thanks to ESB Live, the National Concert Hall plays host to an exciting new development in traditional music. The combined talents of mercurial Clare fiddler Martin Hayes, Chicago guitarist Dennis Cahill, sean nos singer Iarla  Ó Lionaird (no stranger to creating new soundscapes), hardanger player Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and New York pianist Thomas Bartlett came together earlier this year to explore new music. The resulting collective The Gloaming now embarks on a nationwide tour with music described as being sparse and beautiful, tune filled with raucous power. Win Tickets / Des FitzGerald