• Liverpool Sound City 2015

    Thanks to the likes of Emerald Armada, Raglans, Pat Dam Smyth (above), The Clameens, His New Atlas and others, there was yet another strong Irish presence at this year’s Liverpool Sound City. Photos by Christopher Flack. Thanks to the generous, becoming chaps at Getintothis.

  • Line-up announced for inaugural Output showcase

    With just over a fortnight to wait, the line-up for the inaugural Output have been announced. Northern Ireland’s largest ever one-day conference and showcasing event, taking place throughout Belfast’s city centre and Cathedral Quarter on Thursday, October 16, it will see a series of free talks, workshops and pop-up gigs, attending by around 350 artists, businesses and creative students. We’re very happy to be involved, too. Teaming up with tastemaker par excellence Niall Byrne AKA Nialler9, we will host a most awesome showcase in the Black Box main room with Cork psych rock five-piece Altered Hours (pictured), Dublin electronic duo Contour, Derry…

  • Stream: PigsAsPeople – Foundling

    Belfast-based post-hardcore/noise rock trio PigsAsPeople have made the track ‘Foundling’ – the first to be unveiled from their upcoming mini-album The Plot Against Future Plans – available to buy on their Bandcamp from September 25. This comes ahead of their free-entry Radar mini-album launch at Mandela Hall on Thursday, September 25 – during Freshers Week – at which support comes from The Emerald Armada, Gascan Ruckus, Team RKT and Spittin’ Teeth. Check it out below: Foundling by PigsAsPeople

  • Inside Out

    Taking place at Belfast’s Arthur Square from August 9 to August 30, Inside Out will see some of the country’s finest musical talent – everyone from Malojian (above) to Sons of Caliber – play a series of free, unplugged gigs. Culminating in a showcase event at City Hall, the gigs will last 45 minutes and take place every Saturday (1pm and 3pm) and Thursday (at 5.30pm) throughout the month of August. Here’s the full line-up and schedule: Malojian: August 9 Silhouette: August 9 Master and Dog: August 14 Zarah Fleming: August 16 The Hardchangers: August 16 Wookalily: August 21 Silences: August 23 Linley Hamilton: August 23 Emerald Armada: August 28…

  • Gigs of the Week: The Emerald Armada, Angel Olsen, Spectrum Festival

    For the first time in a few weeks, our three gigs of the week take place across Belfast over the next few days. Which once again has had us thinking: there was a time, not that long ago, when the phrase, “There’s nothing on in Belfast” was all-too regularly uttered by the best of us. While this was something of a myth, there can be no denying that there is an absolute abundance of shows, nights, clubs, happenings and events right under our noses, night in, night out. Never, ever hanker for “the good ol’ days”, eh? As far as we’re concerned,…

  • Gig of the week: Mojo Fury, Emerald Armada, Two Glass Eyes

    Our Gig of the Week sees a special tenth anniversary headline set from Northern Irish alt-rock trailblazers Mojo Fury at Belfast’s Limelight 2 on Thursday, March 6. Two stellar full-length albums in – the landmark Visiting Hours of a Travelling Circus and last year’s The Difference Between – the show will also double up as a homecoming show for the Mike Mormecha-fronted band, who have spent the last few weeks touring around Europe. Supporting Mojo Fury on the night are two hotly-tipped Northern Irish acts: alt-rock three-piece Two Glass Eyes and fast-rising folk band Emerald Armada. Go here to win tickets…

  • Eleven Must-See Shows in Belfast This Christmas

    Whilst we haven’t exactly been neglected of great shows of every conceivable kind all throughout 2013, there’s something about the Christmas period that somehow brings together some of the most downright irresistible line-ups of homegrown (and occasional international) musical talent. This year is no different, both across Belfast and much further afield. That said, keeping our eyes (and ears) firmly fixed upon the aforementioned hub of seismic musical happening, we present to you our eleven “must-see” shows in Belfast this festive period.  Radar: Feet for Wings – Speakeasy, Thursday, December 19 Radar at Belfast’s QUBSU Speakeasy has delivered for some…

  • The Emerald Armada announce mini-tour

    One of Northern Ireland’s finest up-and-coming alternative folk band’s The Emerald Armada have announced details of a forthcoming mini-tour. Having been a hit at several of the country’s festivals this summer, the five-piece will kick off their tour on October 10 at Inverness venue Mad Hatters and will conclude at Voodoo, Belfast on October 26 with the launch of their new EP. Check out the full dates on the poster below and watch the video to the band’s recent single ‘I Don’t Mind’ below.

  • Harvest Music Festival Unveiled

    Set to take place on Saturday, August 31st, the inaugural Harvest festival has been unveiled. Already positing itself as Northern Ireland’s ultimate outdoor festival, the first ever line-up – taking place at Grey Abbey House – will feature Hayseed Dixie (pictured), Duke Special, Gareth Dunlop, Farriers, Emerald Armada and Belfast Community Gospel Choir. Tickets for the festival – the centrepiece of Ards 1613 festival – are available to purchase here, priced at £20.00 (children under 12 go free).