• Not I/Footfalls/Rockaby by Samuel Beckett @ The MAC

    July 28, 2014 - By 

    From September 2 to September 6, The Mac, Belfast, will present three classic plays by Samuel Beckett, executed in just one-hour long, rarely performed, piece. Not I is an intense monologue, set in a pitch-black space lit by a single beam of light. A disembodied female mouth floats eight feet above the stage and delivers a stream of consciousness, spoken, as Beckett directed, at the speed of thought. Footfalls tells the moving story of May, a ghostly figure who paces back and forth like a metronome outside her dying mother’s room. Completing the trilogy is Rockaby – probably the most famous…

  • Punk Rock @ The Lyric

    July 24, 2014 - By 

    Punk Rock – a play written by Simon Stephens and directed by Selina Cartmell – comes to Belfast’s Lyric Theatre for a stint, from August 10 until September 6. Set amongst a clique of sixth formers during exam time in a library as they prepare for mock A levels, Punk Rock sees the typically dysfunctional group discuss their pre-university problems and struggles with personal identity. Writer Simon Stevens has been heralded as the most prolific British playwright of his generation, and the likes of The Independent and The Guardian have given the play positive reviews. You can check out the Lyric’s…

  • Gigs of the Week: Ciaran Lavery, Tycho, Swords & RESET

    July 23, 2014 - By 

    Another week, and like all weeks it presents many, many opportunities to check out the very best gigs on offer around the country. The number of gigs does tend to drop somewhat during the summer months, but we’ve managed to unearth several shows that you can wrap your ears around… Tycho – The Button Factory, Dublin; Wednesday, July 23 Post rock-inflected electronic group Tycho will be performing at the Button Factory this Wednesday. Beautiful, swirling soundscapes are to expected here in what ought to be a wonderfully dreamy and epic show. Tickets are €14 and doors are at 7.30.  …

  • Gigs of the Week: The National, Longitude, Arborist, Phosphorescent, Cat Power

    July 14, 2014 - By 

    With the World Cup having concluded after four glorious (and already sadly-missed) weeks last night, it’s safe to say many of us are significantly more inclined to leave the house more often to indulge in some first-rate shows and summer festivals. From indie rock globetrotters to local songwriting masters, here’s our rundown of the some of the most must-see gigs happening across the country over the next few days. The National – Iveagh Gardens, Dublin; Friday, July 18 Ohio indie kings The National return to Ireland this week with a string of dates in Cork, Galway and Dublin. The group have been making outstanding dark, melancholic…

  • The Thin Air Writers Club @ Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast

    July 14, 2014 - By 

    We’re teaming up with Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Center from Monday, July 21 to Friday, July 25 to present The Thin Air Writers Club, a five-day music journalism course looking at many different aspects of the craft, profession and industry. Aimed towards those aged 14-18 year old, the course will take place from 10am to 4pm each day, with each daily installment focusing on everything from writing reviews, conducting interviews, feature writing, digital presentation, blogging, building a portfolio and much more. Culminating at the next Volume Control gig at the Oh Yeah Centre on Friday, July 25, the course – £60.00…

  • “We Are…” by Diarmuid Kennedy

    July 9, 2014 - By 

    One of the leading lights in Irish freelance photography, Belfast-based photographer Diarmuid Kennedy will host “We Are…”, an exhibition featuring a selection of his superb black-and-white local gig photography at Belfast’s Linen Mill Library from Monday, August 4 to Thursday, August 28. Having snapped countless bands and artists in numerous venues across the last couple of years, Kennedy has captured some extraordinary and unforgettable performances. The exhibition – part of the Local Art by Local Artists exhibitions featuring Northern Irish artists – is sure to be a wonderful testatment to Kennedy’s skill and passion for capturing up-and-coming musicians in the live…

  • Becks Rhythm Weekender

    July 9, 2014 - By 

    New Belfast venue Aether & Echo will play host to two nigh on unmissable shows as part of the forthcoming Becks Rhythm Weekender on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24. Legendary Godfather of neo-soul, co-founder of jazz funk and one of the most sampled artists in history, Roy Ayers will grace the stage on the Saturday night. Renown for his stunning live jazz shows, his tracks such as ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, ‘Searchin” and ‘Running Away’ has seen him become one of the most iconic and respected musicians of his genre. His influence and reach over six decades cannot be overstated; to…

  • Gigs of the Week: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Arctic Monkeys, Neil Young

    July 7, 2014 - By 

    With Wimbledon reaching an exciting conclusion yesterday evening, and the World Cup edging towards its finale this week, the summer seems to be well and truly flying by. But never fear, friends: we at the Thin Air are here to guide you towards the finest gigs happening across the country over the next seven days. Arctic Monkeys – Marlay Park, Dublin; Saturday, July 12 Arctic Monkeys return to Ireland this Saturday to put on what’ll surely be a great show, but they’re not the only reason to head to Marlay Park this weekend. Jake Bugg, Miles Kane and Royal Blood make up the…

  • Happy Days Festival 2014

    July 3, 2014 - By 

    Dedicated to the life and work of Nobel-prize winning Irish writer Samuel Beckett, Happy Days Festival returns to Enniskillen from July 31 to August 10. World-renown as one of the finest and boldest alternative festivals around, Happy Days – named after the 1961 Beckett play of the same name – will see varied theatre productions, visual art, concerts, writers and artists talks, special events and everything in between take place across Enniskillen over the eleven days. Make sure to check out the full brochure for the festival – including venues and ticket prices – here. Watch a clip of Billie Whitelaw in a performance…

  • Revival Belfast – Baptism of Fire

    July 3, 2014 - By 

    Belfast has a new – if indeed any already exist – folk, punk, indie, rock & blues club in the form of Revival Belfast, taking place at McHugh’s Bar at Queen’s Square, starting from Friday, August 1. High-tops and sailor ink is not just permitted, it’s expected; so get down and party at their inaugural night. Admission is £3 and doors open at 10pm.