Night Moves - Night Cafes

Night Moves -  Night Cafes - The Coffee Box

Night Moves Cafe continues at The Coffee Box on the 24 July, part of Sound Town Night, taking place monthly at The Coffee Box on George’s Street. 

Join us for an evening of intimate music and song from Seán Mathews, Shannon McArdle and Dubh Lee between 8.30pm - 11pm. Drop in, grab a coffee and cake and enjoy!

Seán Mathews

It has been a while since Seán Mathews last stepped onto a stage and shared his own version of folk music with an audience. Over the past two years, Seán felt social media beginning to interfere too much with real life, so he chose to step back and stay quiet for a while.

During that time, he continued to enjoy his work, his hobbies, and the quiet craft of writing songs at home. Now, with the songs having well and truly piled up, he has decided to share them again in the intimate setting of our Night Moves Cafe.  

Seán’s first record, Holding the Fort, was released in 2013. Local airplay and some kind reviews opened the door for him to explore making a full album. He went deeper into the music of artists such as Martin Carthy, Nic Jones, and Anne Briggs, while also opening the treasure trove of local traditional singing through artists such as The Voice Squad and the work of John Sheil. Sean released his first album, Dreaming Is Allowed, in 2019. His follow-up, Welcome to Ballsgrove, received RTÉ Radio 1 playlist support and brought him to gigs further afield. His most recent record, The Charcoal Dawn Sessions, was warmly supported with BBC radio airplay in the UK, as well as airplay across Ireland.

Expect a multitude of tunings, a Pete Seeger-style baritone 12-string guitar, and the wide, ballad-ornamented voice that has been heard around Drogheda over the past decade. Expect songs about his world, other worlds, and wishful worlds.

Shannon McArdle made the move from Athens, GA to NYC with her band, The Mendoza Line, in 1998. Shannon then went on to release a series of solo records, with a new one due out this coming winter. Two singles from the upcoming album were released just last month. Shannon has her fingers crossed cousin SJ will accompany her on the night.

Dubh Lee is a songwriter and guitarist who has entertained countless audiences across Ireland with her honest lyrics and bold stage presence. With wide-ranging influences from folk, indie rock and pop she writes songs that examine excess, heartache and womanhood.

The Offaly native has performed at festivals and events such as Electric Picnic, Fuinneamh, All Together Now as well as intimate shows opening for acts such as Alabama 3, Jerry Fish and Bagatelle.

Not afraid of experimenting with genre, Dubh Lee’s vocals have featured on the tracks of hip-hop and drum’n’bass artists.

Dubh Lee’s debut EP, Animals and Friends, was released in May 2023. The 4-track EP explores romantic misadventures and friendship, with old and new sonic influences from Aldous Harding to The Band.  Her song ‘To My Sisters’ won the Night and Day song contest that year, and the release was accompanied by an acoustic Irish tour.  In 2026 she released her second EP, FUFO, accompanied by an Irish tour across April and May with shows in 10 counties. The title track FUFO was selected by 2FM’s Blathnaid Treacy as Track of the Week upon its release in March, followed by Hotpress selecting Dubh Lee as one of their ‘Artists to Keep an Ear on..’ in April 2026.

Night Moves is an innovative night time cultural programme led and produced by Droichead Arts Centre, curated by singer/songwriter, SJ McArdle, in collaboration with Drogheda’s Night-Time Economy Adviser and supported by the Drogheda Purple Flag group. Championing a more diverse night-time offering and helping trial what a more balanced evening economy might look like. 

Be sure to check out our collaborators Mayne Stage Events and Deadly Craic Comedy. Follow Instagram @soundtowndrogheda for what’s next.

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