• John Grant Set For Open House Festival

    March 1, 2018 - By 

    With the Waterboys and Public Image Ltd. previously announced as headliners, it’s been revealed that Iceland-based American musician John Grant will play this year’s Open House Festival in Bangor. Grant will play Bangor’s seafront – the first time the festival has had a large-scale outdoor space for evening concerts at its disposal – on Sunday, August 19. “It’s clear that Bangor has become an attractive destination for international touring artists,” said Open House director, Kieran Gilmore. “Gaining access to the outdoor space beside the marina, slap bang on Bangor seafront, has been pivotal in allowing us to programme acts like…

  • Premiere: Somadrone – Juniper & Lamplight

    March 1, 2018 - By 

    The second single from his forthcoming sixth studio album, Wellpark Avenue, Juniper & Lamplight by Neil O’Connor AKA Somadrone is a sublime, genre-warping reworking of Simon and Garfunkel’s 1969 song, ‘For Emily Where I May Find Her’. According to O’Connor, what began as a simple reworking, soon turned into a fully orchestrated soundscape where simple electronics weave to and fro. Referencing acts like Scott Walker and Air, harpsichords drive the instrumentation into a lush and psychedelic pool of sounds. Wellpark Avenue is out on April 10. Have a first look at the suitably cosmic visuals for the single below.

  • Phil Kieran on Soundtracking EdgeFest: East Belfast Boy

    March 1, 2018 - By 

    We grab a few words with Belfast DJ, producer and jack of all trades Phil Kieran about his experience soundtracking East Belfast Boy – an EdgeFest production currently on at Belfast’s the MAC – his forthcoming EP, Polyrhythmic, and more. Hi Phil. You’ve written the music for East Belfast Boy as part of this year’s EdgeFest. How did the collaboration come about and what attracted you to the project? I was approached by Emma Jordan who is the director of the play, we have been friends for years. I mentioned to her last year I would love to have a go at…

  • The xx Set For Intimate Irish Shows

    March 1, 2018 - By 

    Their first headline shows in the country since 2013, The xx have announced that they will play “intimate” shows in Belfast and Dublin in May. Ahead of a show at All Points East in London on Saturday, May 26, the band will play Belfast’s Ulster Hall on Monday, May 21 and Tivoli Theatre in Dublin on May 23 and 24. Pre-sale goes on sale on Monday, March 5 at 10am and general public tickets are on sale on Thursday, March 8 at 10am.

  • International Women’s Weekend Cork

    March 1, 2018 - By 

    Running from March 8th-11th upstairs in The Roundy, Cork, International Women’s Weekend Cork is a four-day fundraiser event for the Rape Crisis Centre. Set up by Emma Kelly aka Merakindie and friends, Elaine Malone, Izabela Szczutkowska, Marjie Kaley and Francesca de Buyl Pisco, it will present a diverse, multidisciplinary line up including daily artists market, performances from Dowry, Elaine Malone, Saint Caoilian, Lowlek, The Come Out And Play Cabaret hosted by writer Tina Pisco and a number of DJs including Toby Kaar, Aisling O Riordan and Cuttin Heads Collective. With several more names to be announced, the daily run-down of events…

  • Watch: Myles Manley – i’m in love w/ myself

    February 27, 2018 - By 

    We’re rather fond of Myles Manley here at the TTA. In fact, we have no qualms saying that we think the English-born, Sligo-raised, Dublin-based musician is one of the country’s most masterfully idiosyncratic artists. Take 2015’s “comprehensively endearing” ‘Pay Me What I’m Worth’, or last year’s ‘Relax; Enjoy Your Night Upon the Town’, a track that featured highly in our Top 100 Irish Tracks of 2017. Manley’s craft doesn’t serve up the odd gem here and there – he consistently delivers the goods, forever finding ways to make music whose points of reference often squarely fall back facing his very own direction. Accompanied by Sebastian MacDermott’s…

  • RHYE and Unknown Mortal Orchestra Added to Forbidden Fruit Festival

    February 27, 2018 - By 

    It’s been announced that Los Angeles-based Canadian alternative R&B artist RHYE and New Zealand psych maestros Unknown Mortal Orchestra (pictured) will join the likes of The War on Drugs, Grizzly Bear, Warpaint, Thundercat and Spoon on the Monday line-up of this year’s Forbidden Fruit. The June Bank Holiday festival returns to Royal Kilmainham Hospital in Dublin across June 2-4. With more to be announced, the likes of Justice, Richie Hawtin, Four Tet, Bicep and Ben UFO will all perform across the weekend. Tickets are available to buy here.

  • Body & Soul Reveal First Acts for 2018

    February 27, 2018 - By 

    With Fever Ray (pictured) announced earlier this month, Body & Soul have revealed its first phase of acts for its 2018 edition. Set to return to Ballinlough Castle in Co. Westmeath across June 22-June 24, the following acts will perform: With many more yet to be announced, we’re very already impressed. Tickets are available to buy here.

  • Mitski Set For Dublin Return

    February 26, 2018 - By 

    Having last played the city back in June last year, Brooklyn indie rock musician Mitski will return to play Dublin, at Tivoli Theatre, on September 22. The show will take place as part of a UK and European tour (no Belfast date this time around but considering the turn-out at the Empire Music Hall back in 2017, we’re not entirely surprised.) Tickets for the Tivoli show go on sale this Friday, March 2 at 9am.

  • Win Tickets to the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Album of the Year

    February 26, 2018 - By 

    On Thursday, March 8, the likes of Lankum, New Jackson and Ships will vie for the honour of walking away with the title of Album of the Year at this year’s RTÉ Choice Music Prize. Fancy winning two tickets to the event at Dublin’s Vicar Street? Simply e-mail us at info@thethinair.net with the answer to the following question: Which Fionn Regan album is on the Album of the Year shortlist? The winning act of this year’s Album of the Year will receive €10,000, a prize fund which has been provided by The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and The Irish Recorded Music…