• Ultramantis Black – S/T

    June 24, 2014 - By 

    Pro wrestling isn’t necessarily the first port of call in terms of informed and conscientious political and social commentary, with non-jingoistic fans for years putting up with dated “evil foreigner” gimmicks, gang-like groups repping colours and flipping hand signs, and myriad other misrepresentations of a reality from which the artform was originally supposed to provide escape. Call it a fucking huge surprise then, when UltraMantis Black, masked wrestler and staple of leading American independent company CHIKARA, broke his silence to yowl in a political straight-edge hardcore band, out of character, yet within mask, in a surreal clash of the king…

  • Preview: Pick ‘n’ Mix Theatre Festival

    June 24, 2014 - By 

    Pick ‘n’ Mix. The phrase typically brings to mind the stale, sugary, empty promise of overpriced cinema confectionery. The Pick ‘n’ Mix Theatre Festival on the other hand promises to deliver something altogether more nourishing. Now in its seventh year the festival is named for the variety and scope of the shows it exhibits. In previous years the festival has played host to everything from high-energy dance shows set against computer generated backdrops to audio/visual pieces designed for infants. The point is very much “something for everyone”, something a bit unique for everyone with a sense of adventure that is.…

  • Stream: Spies – Moosehead

    June 24, 2014 - By 

    Bursting straight out of the traps, ‘Moosehead’ by Dublin five-piece Spies is nothing if not a sonic statement of intent from a band tipped to go far over the next few months. A gazey post-punk effort brimming with confidence and purpose, the track – produced by Rian Trench of Solar Bears – sees subtly soaring guitar textures, propulsive rhythms and Matthew Broderick’s sublime vocals merge to form one of the most impressive songs from an Irish band we’ve heard this year so far. Check out Spies’ forthcoming gig dates and the video for ‘Moosehead’ below. July 26: The Old Blue Last, London July 28: The Sebright Arms,…

  • The Thin Air’s Massive Music Quiz @ Voodoo

    June 24, 2014 - By 

    Friends, enemies and associates! On Thursday, July 3 we’ll be hosting a one-off and potentially very fun music quiz at Voodoo Belfast. There’ll be an array of lethal prizes on offer throughout the night, obligatory raffles, free giveaways and a couple of special appearances on the night.Please come down or Milky will be sad.Things kick off at 8pm, entry is £3 per person.

  • Robert Plant and the Sensational Shape Shifters announce Dublin and Belfast Shows

    June 24, 2014 - By 

    Legendary former Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant has announced a new UK/Ireland tour with his band the Shape Shifters. The group will be paying visits to both Belfast and Dublin during the tour. The dates are November 23 in Belfast’s Ulster Hall, and November 24 for the Olympia Theatre in Dublin. Tickets are £49 in Belfast and €60.45. The band will be releasing a new album lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar on September  8, but in the meantime check out this live version of ‘Black Dog’ [/video  

  • Watch: BeeMickSee – Belfast Slang

    June 24, 2014 - By 

    Belfast-based rapped Brendan Seamus AKA BeeMickSee have unveiled the video to his new single, ‘Belfast Slang’. Created by Philip Mateer and Tristan Crowe of Red Mist Productions, the video features Seamus – introducing the uninitiated with various Northern Irishisms such as “scundered” – and actress Cara Cowan. ‘Belfast Slang’ – featuring a beat by Thrash Hat AKA Rory Friers of And So I Watch You From Afar – is the third single from BeeMickSee’s forthcoming album, The Belfast Yank. The album is launched at Bar Sub at QUBSU, featuring support by Aggressors BC, the Late Twos and TBC. Watch the video for ‘Belfast…

  • Watch: FLAWS – Feels Like Home

    June 23, 2014 - By 

    Ahead of their debut EP launch on Wednesday night, Belfast-based three-pieceFLAWS have released their video for their first single, ‘Feels Like Home’. Evoking the stadium-worthy melodic rock of In Case of Fire – a band that two thirds of FLAWS, Steven Robinson and Thomas Camblin, were once members – the track is an infectious three-and-a-half minutes of melodic alt-rock, redolent of a certain increasingly bygone sound of in Northern Irish music, Indeed, according to the band’s label, OLD FANG, FLAWS “pack a welcome punch not seen in Belfast this side of the late-noughties banjo haze”. A battle cry in favour of…

  • The Frames announce one-off Dublin Show

    June 23, 2014 - By 

    Well, now here’s an exciting piece of news: The Frames are getting back together for a one-off show at Whelan’s next week. The legendary indie-folk rock outfit will be assembling themselves for a show next Monday, June 30. Whelan’s will be celebrating their 25th birthday this year, and this gig is part of the celebrations. Tickets will cost €20 and go on-sale tomorrow, Tuesday June 24 at 2pm.