Declan O’Rourke – Arrivals

Free tonight?

Dublin songwriting colossus Declan O’Rourke (top) celebrates the release of his 7th album Arrivals with a live streamed gig from the Abbey Theatre this evening at 8pm.

Declan will be playing songs from the new record, which was produced by Paul Weller. The video for the poignant title track was directed by Natasha Waugh and features stark images of an empty Dublin airport in lockdown as well as Declan playing the piano in a deserted train station.

This will go down as one of the enduring cultural responses to the present crisis.

Tickets for the show tonight can be purchased here.

Nick says: Arrivals is a new departure for Declan.

Declan O’Rourke

Barefoot Magicians – The Anthem

We should be dancing, yeah.

Dublin-based soul groove ensemble Barefoot Magicians (top) lighten the mood with a vivacious hip-swinging cover of American DJ GRiZ‘s hit.

Dave from the band writes:

“It’s full of positivity and i’m happy to duel with anyone who says it’s not. The dancer is Emphis, choreographed by her good self. Might put peeps in a good mood, then again it might not…”

Nick says: But our commenters are always in a good mood! (*gets coat*)

Barefoot Magicians

Tony St Ledger – The Old Town

“We’re taking back these lonely streets again.”

That’s the spirit. Trouble Pilgrims guitarist Tony St Ledger marks a turning point in our lockdown story with a call to arms to make our capital great again.

Tony writes:

“This song celebrates the opening up of our lives again with the lifting of the 5km travel restrictions on April 12th 2021.

“This is the third song in the Lockdown Demo series. We can finally return to our beautiful beloved city.”

The video comes courtesy of Tony and Louis St Ledger.

Nick says: I sure missed you, honey, when you weren’t around…

Tony St Ledger

Beoga – Breathe

It’s trad, Jim, but not as we know it.

Beoga – the Irish word for lively – put a new spin on an old genre on their new 5-song Breathe EP.

The ensemble – Niamh Dunne; Liam Bradley; Sean Og Graham; Damian McKee and Eamon Murray – mix accordion and fiddle with modern pop sounds to create something new and vibrant.

Having collaborated with Ed Sheeran on his hit Galway Girl, the group have already reached millions of fans around the world.

The video was directed by Billy Cummings.

Beoga play an online concert from the Belfast Limelight on April 17 at 8pm.

Nick says: Where angels fear to trad.

Beoga

Rory & The Island – Miss This

Is this the lockdown anthem of the year?

Former Revs frontman Rory Gallagher has made a heart-wrenching video that contrasts the vibrant life we once knew to the current housebound existence we now find ourselves in.

Rory says:

“It was a simple concept of creating a contrast between old images of normal lively scenes of life such as music festivals, gigs, football games and busy cafes etc against the backdrop of being stuck indoors with my family during lockdown just waiting around and trying to pass the time without going insane.

“I filmed it on my phone and just edited it all together with old footage I had on memory sticks. My two sons – Aidan (5) and Shay (2) – played their parts perfectly and deserve an MTV award. Strangely when I watched it back a week later it looked and sounded less like a lockdown video and more like a mid-life crisis! I hope this flaw makes it timeless, haha.”

Nick says: Great story, Rory.

Rory & The Island

Cathal Coughlan – The Knock-Out Artist

No show without punch.

Ex-Microdisney and Fatima Mansions firebrand Cathal Coughlan (top) provides the killer (left) hook in the third single from his new album Song Of Co-Aklan.

The video was directed by George Seminara.

Nick says: Upper cut above the rest.

Cathal Coughlan

Wyvern Lingo – Only Love Only Light

Forever blowing bubbles.

It’s child’s play for Bray trio Wyvern Lingo in the cryptic video for the latest single to be released from their new album Awake You Lie.

The band – top from left: Caoimhe Barry, Karen Cowley and Saoirse Duane – recorded the album in Berlin.

Nick says: Bray of light.

Wyvern Lingo

Apella – Buried You

What’s another year?

Dublin pop sensations Apella – Dara Quilty on drums and Ronan Nolan on guitar (top) have released a limited edition vinyl and CD version of their hit album 1963, which has raked up half a million streams and counting.

The video for the new single Buried You comes courtesy of Ray Keogh.

Dara writes:

“We’ll be donating 100% of all the physical sales proceeds directly to The Marie Keating Foundation. Up against COVID-19 and BREXIT, I am delighted that production is complete and we can finally release our beautiful Vinyl and CDs! I am eternally grateful to everyone who has pre-ordered and we’ll continue to donate sales after the release date!”

The donations go specifically to help fund the outstanding support services the foundation provides to women affected by breast cancer.

Nick says: A good year.

Apella

Supertonic Sound Club – The Hump

Come dancing.

Dublin 9-piece soul/funk ensemble Supertonic Sound Club get jiggy with it on this joyous instrumental that can be found on their new double A-side single alongside Let’s Get Arrested on AMTY Records.

Led by Hammond organ devotee Jim Pipe – our answer to Booker T – the group will release their debut album in the autumn.

The video was filmed and edited by Mick White.

Nick says: Jive stars.

Supertonic Sound Club

Daoiri Farrell – If Ever You Go To Dublin Town

Poetic champions compose.

Keeping the flame of traditional Irish music burning bright, Daoiri Farrell (top) and his trusty bouzouki serenade Patrick Kavanagh by Dublin’s Grand Canal.

The song is an old Kavanagh poem and evokes ye olde Baggotonia.

Nick says: Where old ghosts meet.

Daoiri Farrell