• Electric Picnic 2013: 10 must-see acts

    August 30, 2013 - By 

    Celebrating its tenth anniversary this very weekend, the organisers of Electric Picnic have, once again, pulled out all the stops to come up with a colourful line-up worth every penny (or indeed cent) of a weekend ticket. Despite Giorgio Moroder pulling out at the last minute, there is still a boundlessly diverse three-day showcase in store, headlining by Björk, Fatboy Slim and Arctic Monkeys. Running a fine comb through this year’s line-up, we have compiled a ten-track Spotify playlist featuring our must-see acts. If you’re bound for Stradbally Estate this weekend, do take note. See below for the acts (in no particular…

  • Everything Sucks #005.5: Local Music Rant

    August 30, 2013 - By 

    If you’ve read the original column that was here and were offended in any way by my statements, I apologise. Opinion has been pretty much down split evenly from what little I’ve seen of it, some in agreement, some not so much. I hope to address this now. To those who have differed with it, I say this. To patronise or look down on anyone was not the intention. Far from it, in fact. The tone of the rant was fairly crass, but that was the point. My regular column here is an angry rant. As such, a certain humour…

  • Death Of The Naturalist: Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

    August 30, 2013 - By 

    How do you write words for the master? Is it possible to pay tribute in language to a man whose legacy is to have captured the very essence of our soul in words? Perhaps not, but for all the words that Seamus Heaney put to paper, it’s a safe bet that over ten times that will be written about him in the years to come. The Castledawson born poet has been hailed as the greatest Irish poet since William Butler Yeats, an iconic figure, sitting comfortably in a pantheon of great Irish voices alongside Beckett, Joyce, Behan, Shaw, Wilde, and…

  • Kick Ass 2

    August 30, 2013 - By 

    The long awaited sequel hit the screens to mixed reviews and with one of its stars Jim Carrey boycotting the film, it begs the question; where does Kick Ass 2 falter? It’s been said that Kick Ass 2 is a sequel with nowhere to go, perhaps a slightly unfair statement. The premise of what a superhero might be like in the real world holds weight, and is still a thoroughly enjoyable aspect of the film. What would one do? It’s almost like starting a band; you build a persona set up a Facebook page, Twitter and get blogging. These are…

  • Franz Ferdinand – Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action

    August 30, 2013 - By 

    Franz Ferdinand have kept a deliberately low profile ahead of their latest release, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, with lead singer Alex Kapranos having being quoted as saying that he felt “misinformation” had been forthcoming about their last album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand. Being cut from a literary sort of cloth, there is – you’ve guessed it – a concept of sorts linking the songs, apparently based around the cynic’s search for optimism and the sceptic’s search for a manual ‘crop up’ here and there. Don’t follow Alex’s words? No, I don’t either, and if your listening pleasure is enhanced…

  • Culture Night Belfast line-up revealed

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    Set to take place on across over six hours on September 20, the impossibly eclectic line-up for this year’s Culture Night Belfast has been announced. The city’s self-proclaimed “biggest and boldest cultural celebration” will see 250 events take place across 100+ venues to over 30,000 people in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter beyond from 4-10pm. A Banksy exhibit in the city’s smallest contemporary art gallery, an evening of drinks and book-readings with local novelists in McHughs basement, a poetry slam at Golden Thread Gallery, “new tunes and new talents” live at the check-out of a Tesco… the lists of things happening goes on…

  • Voodoo Fiend Club

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    A new monthly metal, hardcore and punk night in Belfast’s Voodoo Bar, the Voodoo Fiend Club is presented in conjunction with Belfast-based independent label Savour Your Scene records. Proposing to “bring you the best in alternative music on a night out – metal, hardcore, punk, crust, d-beat, noise prog and thrash – the next club night is on Friday, August 30. Hit up the club’s Facebook page to keep up to date with future nights. Watch ‘Cut Throat Blues’ by Belfast-based Savour Your Scene band Lantern For A Gale below.  

  • No Alibis Bookstore present: Jo Nesbo @ Ulster Hall

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    Internationally acclaimed and best selling Scandinavian author Jo Nesbo will hold a special talk at Belfast’s Ulster Hall on Sunday, September 15 in association with No Alibis Bookstore. Also a musician, songwriter, economist and ex-footballer, Nesbo will discuss his new book, Police – the tenth installment of his Harry Hole series. Tickets are priced at £7 and are available purchase here.

  • Festival Diary: Way Out West 2013

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    In its seventh year, Way Out West has grown to one of the biggest music events in the Swedish calendar. Held every year in the city of Gothenburg since 2007, it is only the second time it has been run over three days. The festival is divided into two parts Way Out West (WOW) and Stay Out West. The former is held in the west side of the city in Slottskogen the city’s biggest park, the latter at selected venues around the city throughout the day and night. Being Swedish it is also environmentally friendly. Serving only vegetarian food to…

  • Watch: The Hot Sprockets – Comin’ On

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    One of the best visual accompaniments that we have seen from an Irish band in quite some time, Dublin band The Hot Sprockets have unveiled the wonderful video for their new single, ‘Comin’ On’. A huge effort involving a case of colourful extras, the video was shot in one take by Little Beast Films at the rather beautiful Hazel Hatch House. The single itself is set for official release on September 20. Watch the video below!