The World Cup has proven to be quite the entertaining sporting event thus far (even if it hasn’t been very kind to England). If you can manage to pull yourself away from the spectacle, there are the usual host of gigs and festivals happening right across the country throughout the week, so let out Gigs of the Week help you out in finding the best football alternative.
The Wellington Weekender: Delorentos, Girls Names, Lisa O’Neill and more – The Workman’s Club, Dublin; Friday June 27 – Sunday June 29
Well, how about this for an absolute cracker of a festival? Check out Girls Names and Woman’s Christmas on Friday, Delorentos and Kate’s Party on Saturday, and Lisa O’Neill, Mossy Nolan and Ain’t Saint John on Sunday. And the best thing about all this? The whole thing is free! All three headliners were meteor prize nominees this year, and with new albums being worked on, there’s likely to be some new tunes on display. Definitely worth checking out.
Hands Up Who Wants To Die, Magneto, PigsAsPeople – Menagerie Belfast; Thursday, June 26
A positively international night of varyingly crushing noise-rock will take place at Belfast’s Menagerie on Thursday, June 26. Headlined by the brutal and quite brilliant Hands Up Who Wants To Die – a Dublin band who are experiencing something of a rebirth – the show will also see performances from French band Magneto and Belfast-based hardcore/noise three-piece PigsAsPeople. Doors are at 9pm, admission is £5. Bring earplugs.
The Eskies – The Workman’s Club, Dublin; Thursday, June 26
Goldenplec and Claire Beck have been hosting their own gig at the Workman’s for a few months now, and always showcase some of the best Irish bands around. This time around they’ve got The Eskies on display, along with Conor Linnie and Corroboree. Tickets are a fiver and doors open at around 8pm.
Sea Sessions: The Dandy Warhols, The Strypes, Kelis and more – Bundoran, Co. Donegal; June 27-29
Taking place across the weekend of June 27-29, self-proclaimed “Beach Party Weekend of the Year” Sea Sessions will return to Bundoran with an impressive and varied line-up. Headlined by The Dandy Warhols, The Strypes and Kelis, the festival will also feature performances from the likes of Beardyman, Leftfield (DJ Set), Erol Alkan, Little Matador, Sirkuz Sirkuz and many more. Go here for the full line-up and to purchase tickets.
Arcade Fire, Pixies – Marlay Park, Dublin; Sunday, June 29
The first of the Marlay Park gigs kick-off this week, and involves Arcade Fire (pictured) bringing their Reflektor tour to Ireland. The massive production is sure to be a good one, and if that wasn’t good enough, alternative rock legends Pixies are supporting. Top-notch Irish bands TVVINS and Ham Sandwich are also on the bill. Tickets are still available for €61.50, and the action starts at 3 o’clock.
Celtronic: Go Wolf, SlowPlaceLikeHome, Shammen and more – Craft Park, Derry; Saturday, June 28
Running from Wednesday, June 25 to Sunday, June 29, the line-up for this year’s Celtronic Festival is right up there with their very best to date. One of the best showcases taking placing over the four days happens at the Craft Village on Saturday from 3pm: Go Wolf, SlowPlaceLikeHome, Shammen, Skymas, Nyt Bloomer and Vincent. Best of all, entry is completely free. Watch the video for ‘This River’ by Skymas below.
