Whelan’s, Dublin Mon 9pm €20 01-4780766/1890-200078

One-time singer and lyricist with 10,000 Maniacs (but a solo act for longer than she was a member of that band – she left in 1993 after 12 years), Natalie Merchant has enjoyed the kind of critical acclaim that is rare for an artist of her ilk. To most who are aware of her (she has kept quite a low profile over the past five years, looking after her daughter as well as researching, writing and recording), she is the epitome of the sensitive, socially aware female singer-songwriter, a bit fey, a bit wistful, a bit mystical but very much literate. Yet she is highly regarded for being as much her own person as someone who likes being up for a challenge.

Hence her forthcoming album, Leave Your Sleep(featuring songs adapted from the works of various classic and contemporary poets), from which Merchant will be previewing tracks.

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Craig Walker, Dublin, Thurs