Bloop Groop, Dublin's hardware-synth hub famous for its low-pressure “Hang, Jam, Play” sessions, announces its debut 3-day Weekender from Friday 20 to Monday 23 March 2026, with live electronic shows, low-stakes sets, maker demos, talks and hands-on DIY.
Since late 2024, Bloop Groop - founded by Caroline Swords and Gary Byrne - has quietly grown into a regular fixture of Dublin’s electronic music calendar, hosting informal meets where newcomers and old pros share short, loud hardware sets to a friendly crowd. The project now counts a core membership (and surprisingly civilized WhatsApp community) in the hundreds, with over 150 live performances hosted across jams, meets and gigs in Dublin City spaces like The Digital Hub and Trinity College Dublin. The gang shares knowledge, support, and collaborates on music. And, of course, buys and sells each other gear!
Friday 20 March: ALEA(s) show @ FLUX D2 Gallery, 7pm to 9pm
Belgian live-electronic collective ALEA(s) (fear. François from Shakmat) headlines with synths, industrial/acid techno and audacious live drawings/animations.
Special guests TDK (Karl Burke (Karl Him) + Trev O'Reilly (Colonel Modules)) deliver all-modular improv + LAST EDEN (Aileen Wallace) weaves dark loops on modular / hardware / DIY over industrial beats.
Tickets on Eventbrite, 9 EUR to 20 EUR
Sunday 22 March: Bloop Groop Hang, Jam, Play, Show + Tell Edition @ Digital Hub, 5pm to 9pm
HANG + JAM: gear demos by local makers Between Machines, ATK Modular, Phantom Instruments and Tolm, plus talks by Synthdad, Peter from Circuit3 and Daire from Fronics, visuals by Nick AKA lifewing.. With special guest François from Shakmat!
PLAY: a few Bloopers play short, loud 10-15 min hardware sets of all genres.
No gear needed, just show up! Learn, dance, make new pals, and catch up with old ones.
Tickets on Eventbrite, 5 EUR to 15 EUR
Monday 23 March: Shakmat DIY Module Workshop @ Digital Hub (SOLD OUT)
Hands-on module building with Shakmat maker François.
Equipment kindly supplied by TOG Hackerspace in Dublin 12, so huge thanks to Jeffrey Roe
More info
Website, newsletter signup: https://www.bloopgroop.com
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/bloop-groop-caroline-gary-28513336917
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BloopGroop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloopgroopdublin/
What’s Bloop Groop?
Bloop Groop is a Dublin-based synth community founded and hosted by Caroline Swords and Gary Byrne, where electronic musicians get together in a low-stakes, supportive environment to Hang, Jam, Play.
We welcome every level: from curious newbies who just love dancing, to professionals with decades of experience, and everyone in between. We host our regular meets, as well as gigs, workshops, masterclasses and more. We’ve a big, kind Whatspp community where people generously help each other. We’re about learning, sharing, and collaborating, rather than going it alone.
Our ethos? Play short and loud, to a friendly crowd. Lark about. Learn some tricks, vibe with new pals, catch up with old ones. We’re a diverse community of every age, background, and gender, brought together by our love of electronic music. And gear!
No gear or just starting out? No problem. You can listen and watch and maybe get to have a go of the gear that’s there. No need to be shy, everyone is so welcoming and kind.
Bloop Groop is kindly supported by The Digital Hub Development Agency, and a proud member of FLUX Studios.