Local DJ says Athlone has the potential to become a music hub

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Athlone-based DJ and producer Scott Sweeney believes the Midlands town has the potential to grow into a vibrant music hotspot, with more variety, collaboration and opportunities for local talent.

The music scene first caught the Galway native's attention when he moved to Athlone at the age of 15, crediting much of his early development to Athlone’s Gateway Youth Project in St Mary’s Hall, which he joined after moving from Galway.

The project, run in partnership with Foróige, gave him access to equipment, workshops with DJs from iRadio and 2FM, and the chance to practice regularly.

"Gateway and Foróige helped me massively," Scott said. "They got funding for equipment, brought in industry DJs to run workshops, and gave me a place to practice.

"My very first gig was at a Christmas market in St Mary’s, just playing background music, but to me that was the biggest thing ever. It gave me the spark to want to keep going."

From there, Scott received his first break into club DJing at just 17, thanks to TeenKix, an teen events company that gave him opportunities to play in different venues around the Midlands.

"That was my first proper club experience," he said. "TeenKix gave me the chance to play in different clubs, even though I was under 18 at the time, and it really helped me build experience and confidence on stage."

Those early sets acted as a launchpad for Scott, helping him move from local youth events to student nights in Athlone, before opening doors further afield.

“ I built my reputation, got the chance to play abroad in France and Spain, and eventually landed one of my biggest dreams, a debut in Ibiza,” he said.

While Scott has now had a taste on the world stage, he remains committed to developing Athlone’s local scene. He noted while the town’s DJ community is small, there is a lot of support, though venue rivalries sometimes limit opportunities.

"There’s a bit of rivalry with clubs wanting to keep their DJs," he said. "But the community itself is connected. We support each other online, at gigs, and by pushing each other forward. It’s just a matter of creating more spaces to share our interests."

Now that Scott is once again playing regular gigs in Athlone, he is eager to see the town open up more opportunities for both local musicians and aspiring DJs.

He pointed to this year’s Croílar Festival and the annual Flan Fest as clear proof that there is an appetite for events of this kind in Athlone.

"At the moment, everyone’s going to the same places and hearing the same things," he said.

"If we had more variety, more spaces for people to play, and more chances to collaborate, it would make the scene stronger. It’s not just good for the DJs, it’s good for the pubs, the venues, and for the town as a whole."

Scott believes Athlone already has the venues and spaces needed to host more diverse nights and even larger festivals.

"When you think of the spaces used for gigs in Galway and Dublin, you realise we have the capacity to host the same quality of gigs here.

"We’re in the middle of Ireland, people could come from all over if we built the right buzz," he added.

Looking ahead, Scott is focused on his personal growth. While DJing is not yet his full-time job, he is working on producing his own tracks to continue reaching new audiences.

"Production is key in the current industry, it’s what gets you gigs," he said. "I’m really knuckling down to get my music to a level where it resonates with people. Ultimately, I want to bring happiness through music and make people feel safe and free to be themselves."

When asked about what drives him forward, he said those who doubt him motivate him to keep growing and doing better. Support from family, friends, and collaborators like UK DJ and producer Cristiano Fry has also been pivotal.

"It’s been a journey of hard work and discipline, but it’s only the start," he said. "Every day is a chance to learn and push forward.

"I want to keep connecting with more people and building a stronger profile, not just for myself, but for the scene in Athlone."