• To Equality… And Beyond

    May 27, 2015 - By 

    May 22, 2015 saw a historical change in the Irish mindset. Our nation voted, resoundingly, in favour of Marriage Equality and, for the first time in our history, the LGB community of Ireland was seen as no different from their heterosexual brothers and sisters. Ireland voted against bigotry and hatred and in favour of a world where we no longer allow deeply personal religious beliefs to infringe upon the freedoms of those untied to institutional religion. We broke free from the traditional shackles which have restrained progression and said a massive “fuck you” to those who want to hold us…

  • Front of House: Davy Matchett (Third Bar)

    May 26, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, Cathal McBride chats to Davy Matchett of Belfast’s Third Bar Artist Development. Co-ran with Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Third Bar have mentored, managed and planned single and album campaigns for the likes of Desert Hearts, Robyn G Shiels, Ed Zealous, Wonder Villains, A Plastic Rose and many more. Photos by Ryan Richards. Hi Davy. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and Third Bar? Certainly. My name is Davy Matchett and I have been following Manchester United since 1985, Ards Football Club since 1986 and going to gigs since 1987. My first…

  • Roving Eye: SOAK in Berlin

    May 26, 2015 - By 

    Are you craving a 72-hour raving session in a techno temple? Do you want to watch an impromptu Opera performance in a leafy park? Are you hankering after a jazz jam in a smoky basement? Whatever your passion Berlin will satisfy. I never understood the fascination people had with Berlin until the latest Roving Eye took me on my virgin visit to this glamorous yet gritty city; so easy to navigate, serving up a smorgasbord of life, entertaining you for as long as your stamina can sustain its offerings. I’d travelled to see Bridie Monds-Watson AKA SOAK perform in Kantine…

  • Inbound: Pleasure Beach

    May 25, 2015 - By 

    Belfast’s newest dream-pop outfit Pleasure Beach dazzled into our ears at the end of April with their shimmering and uplifting first release ‘Go’. The song emerges from a haze of wavey synths, which envelope and carry the twanging 50’s diner guitars and driving drums. The five-piece seem to have put enormous concentration into the sound they are hoping to achieve and into how each instrument would play off the other on their glamorous debut. With ‘Go’ being the first and, thus far, only thing we have to go on with Pleasure Beach it is safe to say that anticipation is…

  • Visual Arts Outlook (25/5)

    May 25, 2015 - By 

    After last weeks break, we are back with a full schedule of arts events to enhance your week. Coming into June we are readying ourselves for the wave of the annual end of year Art College shows – most of which will be taking place next week so keep an eye out for more details on them. In Catalyst Arts on Thursday there is an exciting event called BYOB (not the rather more well known Bring Your Own Bottle) which stands for Bring Your Own Beamer, Beamer being the casual name for a projector in most parts of Europe. BYOB…

  • Rave New World: Referendum Special (22/5)

    May 22, 2015 - By 

    In a special Referendum weekend installment of Rave New World, Antoin Lindsay and Aidan Hanratty take a look at some of the very best electronic gigs, tracks, releases and mixes. GIGS Beat BBQ present Rhythm Plate at Aether & Echo, Belfast Sunday, May 24 Some all day Bank Holiday fun at Aether & Echo with deep house duo Rhythm Plate bringing the vibes. They’re starting up on the rooftop then moving downstairs to the main club, so make sure to pace yourself on the Guinnesses. A raft of local support including Nez and Chris Hanna will be featuring too. AL Arthur Russell’s…

  • Dott’s USA Tour Diary: Part 3

    May 21, 2015 - By 

    In the third and final installment of Dott’s US Tour Diary the gang head to the Low Country for the last leg of their tour. They have a whale of a time in Savannah and Charleston before finishing off their time in the US with a visit to their friend Andrew in Atlanta. Read Part One and Two of the Dott’s Tour Diary  March 30: Hang Fire, Savannah, Georgia With very cloudy heads from an over-night flight we landed in Atlanta and met our driver for the next few days Taylor. Taylor turned out to be one of the best things (of…

  • Front of House: Blue Monkey PR

    May 21, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, Mike McGrath Bryan chats to Blue Monkey PR agent Darren Johnston about his background in the industry, its role within a burgeoning Cork music scene and how others can get involved in the music PR industry in the current climate. Photos by Melanie Mullan. Hi Darren, could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved with Blue Monkey? Well, I’ve worked within the music scene in Cork for the last 10 years both in bands as a musician and supporting bands through various means and I’ve been involved with…

  • Insert Coin: Nicky Case

    May 20, 2015 - By 

    In this installment of Insert Coin, Eoghain Meakin chats to Nicky Case, a digital artist and game developer about his work and his intriguing Coming Out Simulator.  Nicky Case is a game designer and interactive media guru. Over the years he’s honed his craft and skills and made games with a wide ranging dialogue about the obsessions, preoccupations and curiosities in our society. His :The Game: series took a scattershot look at love, art, celebrity, pop culture and a good few things in between. While his recent Parable of the Polygons illuminates by simplification the issue of living in an increasingly diversified…

  • Front of House: Louise McElvanna (CQAF)

    May 19, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Front of House, Brian Coney chats to Louise McElvanna, Event Manager at the likes of Open House Festival, Belfast Festival at Queens and the recent Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Photos by Sara Marsden. Hi Louise. You’ve just finished working at this year’s Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. First off, any highlights? Hello The Thin Air. It’s always a mad 11-day whirlwind. There were so many highlights for me, but The Staves show was amazing, I just love them. I’m considering applying for the position of fourth Stave, but I’m not actually sure there’s a vacancy going! It was also…