Singing party organiser Aoife McElwain: ‘We finish pretty much every gig with our national anthem: Riverdance’

BOOK Road to Riverdance

Sing Along Social is a singing party for people who can’t sing, and we love playing cheesy pop music that helps people lose their inhibitions and get laughing on the dance floor. We finish pretty much every gig with our chosen national anthem: Riverdance by Bill Whelan, transforming our event into a dance party for people who can’t dance.

My dear friend Robbie got me a signed copy of Whelan’s autobiography which makes it extra special for me. I’m utterly obsessed with the talent and mastery of Bill Whelan, and I never ever tire of hearing this most epic of songs.​

MUSIC George and Mariah

As part of our tour we’ll be celebrating the Prince and Princess of Christmas – George Michael and Mariah Carey. I recently watched the Wham! Documentary on Netflix, to do a deep dive into George, and was taken aback by the breadth of his talent, and impressed and inspired by his loyalty to and friendship with Andrew Ridgeley. For our Mariah research perhaps I’ll dig up her iconic MTV Cribs episode... always a pleasure.​

PODCAST Conan O’Brien

I work all over the country and love listening to podcasts while on the road travelling from gig to gig. One of my favourites is Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. I love it so much I even applied to the ‘Conan O’Brien Needs a Fan’ segment, and got to have a chat with Conan himself about becoming a Craic Mechanic.

I also love How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, and I’m a big fan of Irish podcast The Creep Dive – hosts Cassie, Jen and Sophie somehow make scary stories about creepy weirdos absolutely hilarious.​

PLACE Clifden

I’m looking forward to making the most of Christmas in Clifden, an initiative spearheaded by the local businesses in this gorgeous Galway town in the west of Ireland where I feel so lucky to live. There’s loads of Yuletide activities next weekend: wreath making, storytelling, Santa, Christmas markets, as well as late night shopping.