Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet
They Want What You've Got Tour plus Ruth Lyon
Cheery. Eclectic. A hoot for music fans.
Ríoghnach Connolly has a taste for musical adventure. Along with her companion players, Honeyfeet, they cross terrain of eclectic musical textures from esoteric protest songs to foot-tapping and floor-thumping dance rhythms.
Ríoghnach (pronounced ree-oh-nah) and Honeyfeet are equally proficient in headlining festival stages as they are stripping back to sublime obscure jazz on theatre stages.
Deadpan wit courses through Connolly’s veins. Known for her broad, smiling on stage banter, she often describes the delight of her multi-cultural voyage of discovery while pushing aside life’s banality in favour of mischievous energy and creative joy.
Traditional and folk are fundamental in Connolly’s musical canon. Coming from a long line of singers on both sides of her family, she channels the music of her grandparents and draws from a breadth of styles and traditions across the world leading to layered and theatrical performances with Honeyfeet.
Alongside Ríoghnach, the Honeyfeet lineup is; Lorien Garth Edwards, bass; Ellis Davies, guitar; John Ellis, keyboards; Biff Roxby, brass; and Phil Howley, drums.
Need to know
Price: £20.80
Stage Times:
7.30pm Doors to Sage Two
8pm – 8.30pm Ruth Lyon
8.30pm – 9pm Interval
9pm – 10.30pm Riognach Connolly & Honeyfeet
Please note timings are subject to change
Age: Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Driving? The Tyne Bridge will be closed from 8pm on Thursday as the famous Great North Run sign comes down. Head to Newcastle Council’s website to read more about the closure.
What our team say
“Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet’s sound is a blend of folk, jazz, blues and soul, and that always makes for a versatile and varied setlist. I saw them first in 2019 playing a special in-the-round acoustic show at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. By the end of the gig I was beaming from ear to ear – their music is a riot of infectious rhythms, uplifting melodies and Ríoghnach Connolly has the most memorable voice. I’d recommend everyone sees them at least once in their lifetime!”
Lucy – Senior Producer
Find out which other shows our team are looking forward to and check out our Autumn gig guide here.
Watch and Listen
Plus Ruth Lyon
Ruth Lyon embraces vulnerability and imperfection, challenging societal norms through offbeat anti-folk music, with influences like Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor. Growing up in North Yorkshire, she later moved to Newcastle to study and fronted Holy Moly & The Crackers before developing her solo work as an Artist in Residence at The Glasshouse in 2020, then from her bedroom while shielding during lockdown.
Her 2022 release, Direct Debit To Vogue, was produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding and This Is The Kit). After speaking on a panel and performing at SXSW, Lyon became inspired by fellow Disabled artists Eliza Hull and Lachi to commit to pushing her authentic voice. Recognised by BBC Radio and festivals like Glastonbury, Lyon also advocates for Disabled accessibility in music, serving as an ambassador for Attitude Is Everything. She’s also been nominated and shortlisted for the 2024 Disability Power 100. Lyon has teamed up with John Parrish again for her debut album, which is due for release in 2025.
