Galway

<h4>The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You</h4>
<p>Ah sure, there we were working away of a Wednesday evening, as you do, when an unexpected rhythm emerged from the ether. 'Whomp, Whomp, Whomp.' It was enough to make us want to start dancing in the office. We looked out the window, wondering if it was a car with huge speakers playing the latest tracks.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Look it, we already have that Christmas holiday feeling here at Xplore HQ. As we gazed out the panes from the first floor to see where the craic was - and if we could join in  - there wasn't a party, nor disco bus in sight.  The music, we discovered, was coming from the event space downstairs at the PorterShed on Market Street.&nbsp;</p>
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<h4>The Yawlag DJ Collective</h4>
<p>The Yawlag DJ collective were setting up their last meet up of the year. Naturally, we had to show off our best "big fish, little fish, in a box" dance moves. If you don't know what that is, we will demonstrate at the official Christmas party.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Thrilled as they were to witness our co-ordinated wriggling and hip jiving to the beat, we had to find out more about the collective and the people behind the music.</p>
<p>The atmosphere was that of a cool Berlin nightclub, a dark underground of rhythm, with streetwise neon lighting and graffiti like effects. This is all part of the teaching at these Yawlag meet ups, where they impart DJing skills to anyone who would like to learn.</p>
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<h4>It's Galway, But Not As We Know It</h4>
<p>Yawlag, by the way, is <a href="https://xploreapp.io/galway" target="_blank">Galway</a>, back wards. Yep, I didn't realise that either until it was pointed out to me by Mitch MacDonnell, also known as Mitch Presents.</p>
<p>It's Galway's vibrant DJ / producer collective, cultivating a dynamic space for electronic music while fostering creativity, rhythm and unity. The community-focused DJ initiative partnered with the PorterShed to offer regular workshops for aspiring DJs.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>"Each month, we brought in students through a community programme open to the public," explains Mitch, "teaching people how to get started as beginner DJs. This included guidance on where to find music, understanding the different types of decks and software, and exploring various approaches.</blockquote>
<blockquote>"We conducted an in-depth class on Rekordbox, a software commonly used by DJs of all levels. It’s an excellent place to start for beginners. We also covered vibe curation—setting the scene with lights, banners, and wall hangings. Creating the right atmosphere is just as important as DJing, especially if you’re organising your own events.</blockquote>
<blockquote>"Next, we explored how to get gigs and approach venues. We wanted participants to gain hands-on experience, so we started with a 40-minute talk followed by breakout sessions. In these sessions, attendees worked with different pieces of gear, and we provided one-on-one classes. In the final sessions, we delved deeper into tips, tricks, effects, and how to use all the knobs and features on the mixer.</blockquote>
<blockquote>"It was fantastic to see the progression in people who returned each month. Some brought their own decks, while others borrowed gear from friends, applying what they had learned."</blockquote>
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<h4>New Year, New Partnerships</h4>
<p>As the new year approaches, 2025 is set to be an exciting time for the Yawlag Collective. They have secured a new partnership with the University of Galway and Flirt FM to expand their workshops, while maintaining a Summer School at the Portershed.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Through these initiatives, Mitch is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of DJs.</p>
<blockquote>"We’re planning more festivals, gigs, and a new partnership with the University of Galway and Flirt FM," he explains.</blockquote>
<blockquote>"With funding secured, we’ll bring the meet-up series to the university as an offshoot of Flirt FM. This will allow students interested in radio and DJing to participate each semester. During the summer, we’ll return to our base in the PorterShed for a summer school programme."</blockquote>
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<h4>A Milestone for Mitch Presents</h4>
<p>This December is also a milestone for Moycullen's Mitch MacDonnell, as he celebrates ten years of Mitch Presents at Electric. His passion for DJing began 15 years ago, thanks to his brother, Killian who encouraged him to jump on the decks. From those early sessions, he built a career that has taken him from Galway’s Westend to international stages in Madrid, Rotterdam, and New York.</p>
<p>“I started off DJing with my brother. He let me jump on the decks with him, and one step after another, I just kept going,” he recalls.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They've now come together for the Brothers in Arms project with Up In The Eire, showcasing our stunning Connemara landscape with a mix of house and disco inspired by our natural surroundings.&nbsp;</p>
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<h4>Building Mitch Presents</h4>
<p>In the early days, Mitch struggled to find gigs, but instead of waiting for opportunities, he created his own night.&nbsp;</p>
<p>“I couldn’t get gigs. I was DJing around, so I decided to build my own night—if you build it, they will come.”</p>
<p>Starting at Kelly’s, Mitch expanded his presence across Galway, playing at iconic venues like the Blue Note, Massimo’s, and the Róisín Dubh before landing at Electric. Reflecting on the last decade, Mitch is both humbled and excited for the future.</p>
<p>“Keep on keeping on,” he says, a mantra that has carried him through 15 years of DJing and 10 years of Mitch Presents.</p>
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<p>To find out more about Mitch Presents you can find him on facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MitchPresents/" target="_blank">Mitch Presents</a>&nbsp;</p>


Keep On Keeping On! The Yawlag DJ Collective and Ten Years of Mitch Presents

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