• Climax

    September 27, 2018 - By 

    There are not many films out there that leave you exasperated, yet exhilarated by the time the finale has played out. But then there are films by Gaspar Noé, the undisputed victor for the title of ‘l’enfant terrible’ of the filmmaking world, who has a writing and directing back catalogue that has to be approached with caution by even the hardiest of filmgoers. His latest, Climax, while not as harsh as some of his previous – for example, the notorious Irreversible’– is a film that will undoubtedly shock many. Thankfully, because there is so much to appreciate and marvel in…

  • Video Premiere: Bróna Keogh – Sea Witch

    September 26, 2018 - By 

    After a busy year of writing and performing, supporting the likes of David Kitt, I Draw Slow & Wyvern Lingo, singer-songwriter Bróna Keogh’s new single ‘Sea Witch’ has arrived. With a vibrant video by Ed Cleary that accentuates the organic quality of her writing, Keogh melds folk with the hopeful wist of 60s pop, measured in its use of diverse acoustic instrumentation and harmony. It was recorded by Michael Hogerzeil & mastered by Eoin Whitfiled. As with the many Irish music festivals she’ll win hearts and weary minds at, ‘Sea Witch’ possesses the ability to restore basic human functions and feelings…

  • Built To Spill Announce Dublin Return

    September 26, 2018 - By 

    Idaho indie rock heroes and TTA favourites Built To Spill will make their long-awaited return to Dublin next year. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Doug Martsch-fronted band’s fourth studio album, Keep It Like a Secret, the band will play Workman’s Club on Sunday, April 28th. The band last played Dublin back in 2010. Tickets for the show are priced at €21 and go on sale this Friday, September 28th. Revisit our Monday Mixtape with Doug Martsch here.

  • Uprising: Spirit of ’68

    September 25, 2018 - By 

    Bringing together some of the North’s finest artists to produce and perform new live soundtracks to films made in 1968, Uprising: Spirit of ’68 is primed to be an unmissable night in Belfast on Saturday, September 29 Each of the short films are all experimental in nature; in technique and content they reflect the spirit of the era. The event – which is held at Carlisle Memorial Church – is co-presented by Belfast Film Festival, BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands. Off the back of appearing on David Holmes’ Late Night Tales compilation (and a run of shows…

  • Arctic Monkeys @ 3Arena, Dublin

    September 25, 2018 - By 

    The bitter nights may have crept in but a jam-packed Luas to The Point Depot keeps makes it a cosy spin. This is the first of two sold-out Arctic Monkeys shows in Dublin’s 3Arena. A lush stage setup resembling a hotel lounge illuminates at 9 o’clock as the house lights go down. The now packed venue explodes as the Sheffield heroes walk on stage dressed in tailor made suits and shiny leather shoes. Alex Turner, sporting a tight new haircut, has developed a hybrid aesthetic of a skin head and Nick Cave. They launch into ‘4 out of 5’, the lead single…

  • Mothers – Render Another Ugly Method

    September 24, 2018 - By 

    “Hard to focus and efforts fruitless…” So sings Mothers’ frontwoman and creative nucleus Kristine Leschper on the jagged ‘MUTUAL AGREEMENT’, crystallising the looming themes of dread and futility that permeate the band’s woozy second album. Sadly, the quote also serves as a succinct review of this imperfect and ultimately exhausting release. Downcast opener, ‘BEAUTY ROUTINE’ comes tentatively into focus with shivering fronds of detuned guitar and the first of many keening but gloomy vocal performances. The track drifts idly along as if bobbing underwater, seemingly reliant on tidal micro currents to sluggishly propel itself to the end of each verse. Leschper…

  • Preview: Peter Brötzmann’s Full Blast

    September 27, 2018 - By 

    For over fifty years, German saxophonist & clarinettist Peter Brötzmann has exemplified European improvised music. His excoriating, volatile style soundtracked a continent ravaged by division & civil unrest, tearing up convention and laying the groundwork for the defiant late 60s European avant-garde. Pitchfork describes him as “one of the most devastating forces to ever touch a saxophone”. In the first of what’s planned to be an ongoing collaboration, we’re delighted to co-present his Full Blast project, in partnership with esteemed Belfast-based tastemakers Moving On Music. Self-taught on saxophone, Brötzmann was originally a painter, schooled in the Cage-influenced Fluxus movement in before moving through Dixieland, ultimately turning his hand to…

  • The Cure Set For Dublin Return

    September 24, 2018 - By 

    Fancy an alternative to Metallica and co. at Slane on June 8 next year? You’re in luck: legendary English band The Cure have posted on Twitter to say that they’ll return to play Dublin on the exact same date. Aside from Oxegen 2004, the Robert Smith-fronted band last played the city in 1996. Venue and ticket price is to be confirmed.

  • Stream: Hiva Oa – Souvenir

    September 25, 2018 - By 

    Blending electronic complexity with their unique strand of primal noise, one of Belfast’s most engaging live & recorded propositions over the last three years, Hiva Oa, have released new single ‘Souvenir’. It’s experimental, but far from inaccessible. Anchored by its bassline, driven by a Detroit hi-hat-led narrative, its crepuscular groove is that of someone dancing in isolation in a long-abandoned post-industrial dystopia, reluctantly alone. With cover art by Helen Tubridy, the trio – Stephen Houlihan, Christine Tubridy & Chris McCorry, with help from Edinburgh’s Matthew Collings and Daithi McNabb –  mangle fragmented guitar & synthesised textures with borderline glossolalic vocals on the track, contrasting space and claustrophobia – as is…