Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Free this weekend?

The second annual ‘Merchy Christmas’ artists market, presented by One Stop Band Shop, is taking place  this Saturday and Sunday over multiple floors at The Grand Social, Dublin.

Louise Barker writes:

Merchy Christmas is a real-life merch market where all your favourite artists flog their wares directly to you, their fans. Started last year during lock-down, it was the brainwave of Conor Cusack (Saint Sister’s manager at ie:music) and Saint Sister. Chatting about ways to create a personal connection with their listeners and thank them for their support over the year, they had the idea of a public merch stall. Working with Keiron Black and the folks at The Grand Social they hatched plans for this two-day event. Indie artists need your support, and what better way to do it than by buying their merch!

Grand Social

Clare: “Family of 5. Went into M&S on Grafton St during the summer, spent €300+ on clothes for an upcoming wedding. Tried the café upstairs. Turned away as one of us didn’t have a cert. Asked if we could sit in the outdoor section, was told no, because of an earlier rain shower.”

Sandie Byrne: “Family of 4, would usually eat out a couple of times per week, I now refuse to give money to anywhere that asks for cert – not even for takeaway. In addition eldest is in last year of university, his whole class are planning to leave this “Kip” as soon as they graduate.”

KezG: “Same here cinemas at least 2/3 a month dinner out once a week and would go away for a night once a month to hotel not done this now since July/ august would always buy vouchers for local restaurants at xmas for friends and family but I’m not supporting them at all this year.”

Freedom Over Fear: “Same here we’d go out at least twice if not 3 times per week for food & drinks, one trip to the cinema and shopping for 3 of us ( average spend per outing €100) we don’t bother now we’ve cooking nights, take away nights and movie nights & save a fortune.”

THisisme: “Family of 3. Used to go out to breakfast most wknds. My daughter loves the cinema but can’t go now. I’d fly home (UK) a lot. didn’t fly back the first 18 months & can’t afford all the testing. My parents have missed so much of their granddaughter’s life.”

Ros Hutchinson: “We used to eat out a couple of times a week plus frequent trips to theatres and cinemas.Also multiple weekends away in hotels in U.K. particularly London. Haven’t eaten in a restaurant, attended any indoor events or stayed in a hotel since March 2020.”

Anne O’Brien: “Family of 5 and we’d eat out 2/3 times a week. Also would holiday in Ireland 3 times a year for 3 nights. Tbh, it doesn’t bother me anymore, I buy good wine and make nice food and we have friends over.”

FIGHT!

RollingNews

Istock

The Trinity College Dublin professor said he contracted the virus from a close contact last week

This morning/afternoon.

Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio One.

Via Irish Mirror:

One of Ireland’s leading immunologists Professor Luke O’Neill has revealed that he has tested positive for Covid-19.

The expert said he was feeling “pretty good” and had a “slight cough and some sniffles” but nothing too severe.

“The vaccine is protecting me,” he said..

“I got my PCR test on Saturday, got the result yesterday, which was positive, and now I’m stuck in isolation for the next few days.”

“A close contact identified me, basically, having spent time with me at work,” he said.

Prof Luke O’Neill reveals he has contracted Covid-19 and gives update on health and symptoms (Irish Mirror)

This afternoon.

Are you a fan of Netflix true-crime documentary Tiger King?

Just ‘dropped’.

Dorothy writes:

This once in a lifetime live show features stars, direct from Tiger King: Saff, John Reinke, Josh Dial, and Barbara Fisher. Hear untold stories that will make you laugh, cry, and just plain gasp out loud. There are so many things that weren’t covered in the documentary.

Hear first-hand the inspirational truth from those that lived through this mayhem as tour dates have been announced for Galway, Dublin and Belfast. Tickets priced from €35 including booking go on sale this Friday from ticketmaster.ie and local venues.

With CBS Television Studios’ announcement that Nicholas Cage will star as Joe Exotic in an 8 episode TV Series expected to release later this year it’s the perfect time to get Uncaged added to your venue’s live event calendar.

Rarr.

Uncaged: Stories From The Cast of Tiger King

This afternoon.

Via RTÉ Living:

Deducing the very crux of the matter down to the fact that ‘boys love clever things, cleverly and girls love foolish things, foolishly,” these sentiments are exactly what beg the question; who is the arbiter of what’s high- or lowbrow?

Who maligned these inoffensive interests so unscrupulously and so consistently that we feel bad about earnestly reveling in something that sparks joy? Who established the hierarchy of taste, denouncing silly little pop songs and condoning three-hour snooze fests?

Who are the bastions of virtue that make people feel the need to justify why they like something, only legitimise it as acceptable when done facetiously? Why do I feel like they would exude extreme name-three-songs energy?

Nick says: GULP.

Nick adds: Fight!

Nick plays: ‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet.

Is the idea of a ‘guilty pleasure’ inherently sexist? RTE Living (Sarah Gill, RTÉ Living)

Klubber Lang – This Place

Klubber soul.

Dublin retro indie stalwarts Klubber Lang put some bite into the season with their new single on FIFA Records sounding like the bastard son of The Fall and the Pixies.

The band are: Ciaran Tallon on guitar (formerly of Revelino); Ciaran McGoldrick on vocals and bass; Fin O’Leary on drums (ex-Mexican Pets); and Ronan McHugh on keyboards and production.

The video was directed by Danny Butcher.

Nick says: For the sake of auld Lang sing.

Klubber Lang

Thank Fifi it’s Friday.

With the passing of legendary bassist Robbie Shakespeare this week, the theme for our voucher-less music knockabout has to be: What’s your favourite reggae song?

Here’s mine.

Please include video links if possible.

Lines close on Sunday at Midnight

Meanwhile…

Jeff Buckley – I Know It’s Over

Last week, I asked you for your favourite song about or mentioning mothers. Jasper won my esteem with this entry:

“My personal opinion is that it is rare for a cover artist to eclipse the originator. It might, on the face of it, sound a better rendition. But the song belongs to the penmanship of those that came before.

“Rarer still, is a song that is completely owned by the cover artist. I believe this is one. Apologies to Mr Morrissey, he shall not read this, but facts are facts.”

Nick says: Thanks Jasper and to everyone who entered.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: In Dub reggae store, Fownes Street, Temple Bar, Dublin.