Music News

SexyTadhg – releases new track ‘Ceannasacht’ (pronounced: Can-A-Sooked) to bring queer identity to the Irish language

Irish LBTQIA+ breakout SexyTadhg (pronounced Sexy-Tie-g) returns with the soulful new ‘Ceannasacht’ (pronounced Can-A-Sooked) – a striking, soulful track which aims to reintroduce queer identity to the Gaeilge language.

Building a reputation for their theatricality, virtuosity, and fearless queer expression, SexyTadhg has had a breakthrough start to their career, with highlights including: opening on a 18 date UK tour with The Mary Wallopers (including dates at Fairview Park) appearing across UK and Irish national radio, gaining widespread press acclaim and boasting multiple national Irish TV appearances.

A jazz and neo-soul sweller of beautifully arranged instrumentation, and Tadhg’s silky smooth, all Irish language vocals, ‘Ceannasacht’ is at once a radiant example of SexyTadhg’s genre shifting sound, and an assertive affirmation of their Gaelic identity. The track offers a vibrant example of the varied blend of big band jazz, pop and soul which stylises SexyTadhg’s sound.

Talking about the track, Sexytadhg explains: “I wanted to boldly re-introduce queer identities into Gaeilge, so I wrote ‘Ceannasacht’.

The Irish language was almost completely lost at the start of the 20th century due to the English colonisation and occupation of Ireland. In an effort to revive the language it was reintroduced through an education system but any semblance, idea, or suggestion of queer identity or any basic individuality was completely obliterated from the language.

‘Ceannasacht’ is a Jazz, RnB, D’Angelo, Hiatus Kaiyote, Erykah Badu inspired song about sexual exploration, submission and domination, cross-dressing and sexual role-play. And now I exist in the language.

There have always been, and there always will be Queer Irish speakers, stories, and people. ‘Ceannasacht’ demands that fact to live on.”

The upcoming EP Sexy promises an intimate and theatrical joyous yet pointed and striking journey through themes of sex, defiance, and the wild beauty of being alive and queer in Ireland.

Already hailed across national press and radio including Irish Times, BBC Radio 6 Music, Clash, Notion, Dork, Today FM, RTÉ 2FM, RTÉ Radio 1 and with live performances on national Irish TV including on the Six O’Clock Show, Tadhg has made a big impression in a short space of time. With performances ranging from: The Project Arts Centre stage with their critically acclaimed Fringe show Television, their collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, supporting two time Eurovision winner Loreen and The Mary Wallopers at Cork City Hall and Fairview Park, Dublin last month, and appearances at Electric Picnic, Beyond The Pale main stage, and Other Voices have cemented their place as a vital voice in Irish music.

The new EP Sexy arrives after a wave of momentum that includes a Studio 8 session with Ray D’Arcy, interviews with Louise Cantillon and Tracy Clifford, and widespread media acclaim. SexyTadhg was recently named one of The Irish Times’ ’50 to Watch’ and received the Dublin Fringe Festival’s ‘Radical Spirit’ Award. Their bold commitment to the Irish language, queer visibility, and radical imagination threads through all their work, including their upcoming bilingual single Ceannasacht.

With headline shows booked in London, Cork, and Dublin, and major summer slots at Letterkenny Pride and Beyond The Pale, SexyTadhg is poised to lead a new wave of Irish music that’s fearless, flamboyant, and fiercely political.