Tag Archives: music

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Unconquered Darkness Fest
April 30th-May 2nd, The Voodoo Lounge, Dublin

What you may need to know…

01. A co-promotion of Irish metal staple Invictus Productions and Colorado-based label Dark Descent Records, Unconquered Darkness Fest is a death-metal/black-metal weekender happening in Dubland’s Voodoo Lounge from April 30 to May 2.

02. Headlining are American death-metal veterans Morpheus Descends, Canada’s Adversarial, and Belgian blackened death-metallers Possession. Lining the undercard is a mix of Irish and international bands, including Invictus and Dark Descent signees.

03.  Heading up the complement of Irish artists are sonic anti-matter manipulators ZOM and Dublin five-piece Vircolac. Also on the bill are Maveth, Lantern and new Invictus signees Malokarpatan.

04. Dark Descent will have a stand on hand with merch and label wares. Tickets are available from Invictus’ webshop, and advance tickets allow for free-in to the Friday night preshow, making it three nights of heaviosity from around the world for fifty beans.

Verdict: The line-out is shaping up to be a seriously weighty weekend, looking well worth the price of admission for genre devotees. *horn sign*

Unconquered Darkness

The Shaker Hymn

The Shaker Hymn – launching new album Do You Think You’re Clever? on April 1st and gigging around the country throughout April and May.

Here’s what you may need to know…

01. Friends since childhood, and based in the real capital, The Shaker Hymn are a four-piece with indie, pop and psych-rock sensibilities. Formed in 2012, the band came together after a two-month American excursion.

02. Streaming above is the video for Trophy Child, the first single from second album Do You Think You’re Clever?. Follow-up single Sucking It Out features a GoPro-driven video filmed at Cork’s Mother Jones’ Flea Market, which can be seen here.

03. Do You Think You’re Clever? launches on April 1. The whole LP was recorded in nine days, and will be the band’s second album just inside of 24 months, following 2014’s Rascal’s Antique.

04. The accompanying tour kicks off the same night, with a date at the newly-reopened Connolly’s of Leap, before the band spends April and May playing out, heading to Galway, Lahinch, Cork city, Westport, Cavan, Clonakilty, Myrtleville and Ballydehob, winding up at the Bernard Shaw in Dublin. Full date and venue details available here.

Verdict: Plenty here for fans of Britpop’s reverbier excesses, psych’s more accessible corners or those just in search of some good, honest rock ‘n’ roll. Approved.

The Shaker Hymn.

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White Boys – Stylin’

Here’s what you may need to know.

01. Cork-based lads Gary Keane and Eoin Walsh comprise the synth/funk/R&B duo White Boys, who are getting ready to release their Stylin’ single on April 15th, ahead of an EP release later this year. You can stream it in the widget above.

02. You may remember these boys from the height of the marriage equality referendum: their fantastic arrangement of Michael O’Leary’s derailed attempt at a homophobic rant was one of the campaign’s highlights.

03. They followed this up with a synth-funk version of Hozier‘s Take Me to Church that got them noticed by the wider Irish musical sphere, including headlining the after-party for disco legends Chic alongside Cork hip-hop veteran Stevie G.

04. Formed after meeting on the set of the Late Late Show, the duo aren’t just blogosphere darlings, having shared recording sessions with Earth, Wind, and Fire, as well as having worked with producer G1 and Death Row Records engineer Tommy D. Daugherty. Bootsy Collins, The Rubberbandits and Panti Bliss are also fans.

Verdict: The boys clearly love what they do, which is half the joy of seeing them in action. They can back the antics up with some serious skills, though, both live and as producers. Get adding ’em to your party playlists.

White Boys

Life

Life Festival
May 27th-29th, Belvedere House & Gardens, Co. Westmeath

Ireland’s leading electronic festival heads into its eleventh year (with requisite hashtag – on point, as the kids say) with an assortment of Irish and international heavyweights, including 2manyDJs, Laurent Garnier, Mano LeTough, Blawan, New Jackson and more. Early bird tix are all sold out, but weekend passes are available at the fest’s website.

Liiiiife, looooove’s greatest rewaaaaard

 

k-fest

K-Fest
June 3rd-6th, Killorglin, Co. Kerry

An unabashedly DIY, family-run fest in the Co. Kerry village of Killorglin, K-Fest‘s lineup is still in the confirmation stages for this year. With a mixture of music, visual art, drama, spoken word and family entertainment, the door is wide open for applications across all genres and mediums.

Keep DIY culture going in the Kingdom.

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Forbidden Fruit
June 3rd-5th, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham

Forbidden Fruit leads with an electronic-heavy line-up this year, including bill-toppers Underworld and a Groove Armada DJ set. Aussie psychedelia monolith Tame Impala makes an Irish appearance following his world-conquering Currents LP’s success, while erstwhile math-rockers Battles continue their comeback.

Must… not… make… in-cider references…

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Body & Soul
June 17th-19th, Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath

Possibly the most quietly impressive of this year’s summer lineouts, Body & Soul returns with Santigold, St. Germain, Floating Points, Badbadnotgood, and Mercury Rev at the top of the bill. Meanwhile, just look at the Irish talent: Rusangano Family, Bitch Falcon, Talos and Saint Sister among others. Final-tier tickets are still on sale – get ’em while they’re hot.

Mind yer body & soul.

 

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Castlepalooza
July 1st-3rd, Charleville Castle, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Last week saw Castlepalooza announce its first round of headliners just as the election frenzy descended upon the media, and the job’s a good’un with Caribou, Villagers & Jurassic 5 headlining. The undercard is peppered with rising propositions, too, including Ireland’s finest psychedelic rock band, The Altered Hours, newly-folky troubadour Cian Nugent, and post-rockers Overhead the Albatross. A strong opening salvo.

Hassle in the castle

 

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Townlands Carnival
July 8th-10th, Leades House, Rusheen Farm, Macroom, Co. Cork

A summer weekender addition to Cork’s bustling festival schedule, Townlands Carnival enters its second year with five stages, family activities, camping options, and more. Irish alt-rock man turned crooner Jerry Fish and Natty & the Rebelship headline. Dáithí, Talos, Saint Sister, The Altered Hours and Young Phantom round out an intriguing initial line-up. Tier 2 tickets available now.

Carnival atmosphere

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Longitude
July 15th-17th, Marlay Park, Dublin

Hip-hop’s undisputed king, Kendrick Lamar, and The National headline a heavyweight bill that sees Jamie XX, Father John Misty, Roisín Murphy, Tyler the Creator, Courtney Barnett and Action Bronson appear over the weekend’s proceedings. All Tvvins head up the Irish offering, alongside Otherkin, Pleasure Beach, and Saint Sister.

Aw, yeah, fuck the judge.

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Knockanstockan
July 22nd-24th, Blessington Lakes, Co. Wicklow

Ireland’s most doggedly independent weekender celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, with tickets for the weekend still available alongside a handful of Sunday day passes. Family-friendly shenanigans abide, with art and other activities all over the campsite. The musical line-up is still under wraps for now, but in keeping with Knockstockan tradition, it ought to feature Irish independent music’s best and brightest.

Can anyone think of a music pun that involves the word ‘knockin”?

 

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96/1
26th and 27th of August, Cork City, Cork

Cork city centre’s ridiculously packed annual calendar of festivals continues apace with the announcement of the second annual 96/1 (pronounced ’96 over 1′). Last year saw 96 bands sprawl out into traditional and non-traditional venues and spaces around the island area of the city in one night, with all performances for free. This year sees the idea spread over two nights, with submissions for bands now open at the email address in the banner.

I suppose a ’96 Quite Bitter Beings’ reference would be inappropriate.

F_

F_ Festival
Dublin City, March 12th, 2016

All-dayer at various venues around Dublin City, aimed at increasing visibility and presence for women in the arts in Ireland. All events are FREE.

Bands like Kevyn, Spines and Twin-Headed Wolf play The Grand Social from 5-11pm, while the North’s Sister Ghost headline the stage at Sweeney’s. The ground floor of the Grand Social also plays host to spoken-word sets from Ailish J Kerr, Victoria Curtis & Alicia Byrne Keane. Joanne McNally of Republic of Telly headlines comedy at Wigwam, while cinema and photography goes down at Hangar, Filmbase, and Gallery of Photography. More to be announced in the full programme.

F_Festival

BARE LAUNCH

B.A.R.E. In The Woods Festival Launch
Good Friday March 25th, Roll ‘n’ Bowl, Portlaoise

Not so much a fest in and of itself as a Good Friday hooley in an non-licensed space, this one marks the launch of Laois’ “other” major contributor to the Irish festival scene. The price of admission gets you a tenner off the festival, free entertainments all over the complex, and live appearances from Sounds of System Breakdown, Laurie Shaw and Suan. Roller disco thrown in for good measure.

BAREly able for it.

BD

BD Festival
Good Friday March 25th, Glendalough House, Annamoe, Co. Wicklow

A BYOB barn-dance in the Wicklow Mountains, BD Festival leads with a strong topline of electronic acts, Dimitri from Paris, Mylo and Dense and Pika, with Irish indie veteran RSAG, young post-rockers Megacone, and math-rock upstarts Punch Face Champions among the undercard. FIGHT Session!

Yeehaw.

 

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Scrobarnach Good Friday Society
Friday-Saturday March 25th-26th, undisclosed location

Galway’s Scrobarnach Music Society head to a mystery location in County Cork for some whooping and a-hollering away from the drinks ban on Good Friday. Rather than sell tickets, the lads are selling memberships via Eventbrite. Highlights of the line-up include John Heckle, Bastardo Electrico, Same D4ence and Cuttin’ Heads Collective.

Scrub up for a pass here.

 

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Community Skratch Games X
Saturday March 26th and Sunday March 27th, Bierhaus, Galway

The tenth anniversary of Ireland’s showcase skratch and boom-bap excursion stretches across the weekend, and lists a who’s who of Irish hip-hop on the line-out. Wat Tyler’s Soundcard (that is, Jimmy Penguin, Hatetank and DJ Chile), mynameisjOhn & Naive Ted in a collaborative DJ set, Danny Deepo, T-Woc, JusMe and the wonderfully-monikered Fidel Cutstro are among the massive line-up.

Holdin’ it down.

SIEGE

Siege of Limerick Earrach,
Sunday March 27th, Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick

The centre of Ireland’s metal community, the biannual Siege of Limerick all-dayer comes forth for its annual spring excursion, with the Bad Rep boys rolling out another quality line-up for absolutely zero door-tax. UK doom-metal legends Esoteric headline, with Irish metal vets Cruachán and Stormzone also at the top of the bill. The undercard is lined with the cream of Ireland’s metal scene, with Shardborne, Okus, dark_matter, Zombified, zhOra and Bailer among those on the bill.

More info here.

 

Extra Fox

Extra Fox – Lunar Float

Here’s what you may need to know…

01. Extra Fox is the nom-de-plume of Dubliner Neil Adams, formerly of many outfits, most notably the at-one-time much-fancied The Cast of Cheers.

02. Last week saw the release via Soundcloud of new single Lunar Float (streaming above), a beatsy track that plays with acoustic strings, handclaps, and an array of synths in looping, building fashion.

03. The project had its live debut last year, with support slots for fellow Cast of Cheers spinoff All Tvvins and Dublin outfit Sleep Thieves occurring after a string of singles going up on his Soundcloud.

04. It’s a tad more restrained than previous single Palm of Gold, mastered by Mati Schwarz (All Tvvins among others), an upbeat piece that marries a definite pop sensibility with biting vintage synth sounds.

Verdict: There’s much here to love for fans of electronica and Adams’ previous projects, but also taps into a rich vein of pop sensibility, providing further intrigue for math-rock nerds and casual listeners alike.

Extra Fox

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Indiependence Festival

Deer Park, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork; July 29-31.

Here’s what you may need to know.

01. One of the success stories of the Irish festival circuit of the last decade, Indiependence has gone from a stage in Mitchelstown’s main square to one of the country’s biggest weekenders in the grounds of the Cork town’s Deer Farm.

02. This morning saw the first wave of line-up announcements, equally heavy on big names and independent Irish talent.

03. A hefty amount of weekend tix are gone already, with only Tier 3 passes left before this morning.

04. Previous Indiependence headliners Editors and Ash (back to redeem themselves after being unable to finish their set last year) are joined by Bell X1 and The Kooks at the top of the bill.

05. Scotland’s Idlewild, and Irish pop outfits The Blizzards, Hudson Taylor and The Strypes round out the crowd-pleaser portion of the announcement.

06. An intriguing selection of artists and bands lines out on the undercard, including garage-rockers Otherkin, Belfast’s Pleasure Beach, Dublin outfit Saint Sister, Cork soulman Brian Deady, and electronic lads King Kong Company.

Verdict: A solid start to what is traditionally one of the better line-ups of the Irish festival circuit, with an already-eclectic selection of acts under the bigger names. Deer Park is a beautiful location for a fest like this, and there’s little-to-none of the usual hassles that come with the bigger summer sojourns. Well worth the excursion.

Indiependence

unnamed

Slow Skies – Winter Night

What you may need to know…

01. A gentle piano ballad that brings the best out of the cool, breathy voice of Karen Sheridan, a.k.a. Slow Skies, Winter Night released last week on Dubland-based Paper Trail Records.

02. Working with producer Conal Herron, whom she met while studying music in London, the pair have struck up a working relationship on previous singles that continues here, contrasting a strong voice over delicate keys and strings.

03. Says herself: “Winter Night is about trying to capture a place in time or feeling you once had and wanting to hold on to it, not wanting to move on from it. It’s that feeling you have where you wish you could go back in time and just be in that moment or feeling again. It comes from a place of longing”

04. The single follows a busy 2015, including working closely with Cork audiovisual stable/label Feel Good Lost on live appearances in Ireland and Iceland.

Verdict: A spine-chilling piece of sparse, stark folk that’s an early contender for Irish end-of-year singles lists. Beautiful.

Slow Skies

solarbears

https://player.vimeo.com/video/153227017

Solar Bears – Wild Flowers

What you may need to know…

01. Released a week or two ago by Rob da Bank’s independent label Sunday Best, Wild Flowers marks the return after a three-year hiatus of Dublin/Wicklow electronica duo Solar Bears.

02. Comprised of Rian Trench and John Kowalski, the duo have previously been signed to the  Planet Mu label, with publishing through legendary electronic label Warp. They’re currently preparing their third full-length, Advancement, due on Friday March 18.

03. The Wild Flowers vid was directed by Michael Robinson, who’s previously done promos for Bibio, The Go! Team, and Ronika.

04. To make up for their extended live absence, and to prepare for said upcoming LP, the lads have recorded a fantastic live set of nearly an hour’s worth of new material, for Boiler Room’s Upfront sessions. Stream and download it for free.

Verdict: Simply put: welcome back, Solar Bears. We’ve missed you. Now hurry on and get the new LP out.

Solar Bears

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Sounds Of A System Breakdown – Punishing Love

What you may need to know

01. London-resident Dublander Rob Costello, alongside collaborators Ed Costello and Richy Kelly, form the live electronic collective known as Sounds of System Breakdown. Rather than do the whole static laptop-and-beardstroking bit, the band exist in the physical space, swapping instruments and generally giving it socks.

02. They’re somewhat of a veteran outfit by now, together/active in some form since 2008. New EP Punishing Love (title track streaming above) is their first release since August 2014’s Giving Up single, also included on the EP. Vinyl pops and clicks pockmark a steady mover of a tune, strong beats underpinning a stark yet layered soundscape.

03. The video was directed by the good folk at FailSafe Films, and has a novel twist on the whole “dancer in video” trope – it was filmed at a Strictly Come Dancing night at St. Patrick’s GFC, in Lordship, Co. Louth. It follows Jade and Christopher’s quest to bring home first prize, a beautifully-realised look at small-town life, teamwork, and developing partnerships.

04. No announced live dates in support of the EP just yet, but, oh, look: it’s out on limited edition 12″ vinyl. Get that here. It’s also up on iTunes and Bandcamp for download, and on Spotify for those so inclined.

Verdict: Much to be loved here by fans of electronic, indie, ambient and post-rock. A multifaceted outfit showcases a multifaceted sound.

Sounds of System Breakdown