Open Ear came to life in June 2016 on the remote island of Sherkin, off the south west coast of County Cork. Originally envisioned as a showcase for the over-looked and by-passed of Irish experimental and electronic music, in the near 10 years since that first weekend Open Ear has slowly but surely become one of the most essential celebrations of Irish artistry, spearheading an ever growing recognition of Ireland-based musicianship on home soil. As Open Ear has grown and developed the festival now takes place across multiple venues and locations all ensconced in the incredible environs of Sherkin Island, and with the recent addition of like-minded international artists to the programme OE continues to develop as an important weekend not only in the Irish music calendar but also internationally.
Open Ear at Café OTO is the first but most certainly not the last international showcase for the festival.