• National Youth Jazz Ensemble @ The Sugar Club, Dublin

    August 9, 2015 - By 

    A new Dublin-based big-bang jazz ensemble formed last month, the National Youth Jazz Ensemble play their first ever show at Dublin’s Sugar Club on Monday, August 10. Bringing together some of Ireland’s finest jazz musicians, the project – “aimed at those in the midst of, or who have completed third level education” – hopes to provide a platform through whcih young musicians can excel. With a repertoire comprising of early swing, modern big band chats and every other conceivable sub-genre of jazz, the performance is set to feature the likes of the Irish premiere of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite and…

  • Watch: Music For Dead Birds – English Weed

    August 10, 2015 - By 

    Having first caught our attention back in 2011 with the stellar, scuzzy lo-fi of The Pope’s Sister, Galway/Mayo “anti-folk” duo Music For Dead Birds will release a double A-Side (artwork above) later this month. One half of that release, their ruminating new track ‘English Weed’ – accompanied with a typically oblique video – conjures hooks and refrains from early/mid-Nineties lo-fi indie rock, coursing forth, aghast, hoarse and lamenting in a perfectly unpolished fashion. Best of all, it confirms Music For Dead Birds’ inimitable, acoustic-driven sound, set in motion with And Then It Rained For Seven Days back in 2009.

  • I’m Your Man @ Project Arts Centre, Dublin

    August 10, 2015 - By 

    Co-presented by THISISPOPBABY, I’m Your Man looks set to be a highlight of this year’s Dublin Theatre Festival from September 24 to October 3 “A gutsy love story that keeps you moving forwards when you think you’re falling backwards”, the production is a self-proclaimed “musical journey from death to new life – a roadmap back from rock bottom.” Featuring music by Mark Palmer, the show – written by Philip McMahon – promises an intimate and poignant experience where music and theatre collide. Tickets – priced €15 – €25 – go on sale on Wednesday, August 12. Photo by Fiona Morgan

  • Watch: Girl Band – Paul

    August 6, 2015 - By 

    Set to both feature on the cover of the next issue of our physical magazine and play our show at Belfast’s Bar Sub on Friday, September 25, Dublin noise rock quartet par excellence Girl Band gave a decidedly revelatory interview in the NME earlier this week, touching on the so-called “psychotic episode” that inspired the content of their highly-anticipated, forthcoming debut album, Holding Hands With Jamie. Edging the expectation up yet another few notches, the Dara Kiely-fronted four-piece have unveiled the suitably fucked-up video for their ‘Paul’ (available to pre-order on 12″ here), quite possibly the strangest (read: greatest) music videos we’ve seen…

  • EP Premiere: Feather Beds – Ah Stop

    August 6, 2015 - By 

    Having just returned to Dublin following two years living in Quebec, Dublin producer Michael Orange AKA Feather Beds has hit the ground of his homeland running with Ah Stop, a stellar new EP was recorded “in the middle of a particularly gruelling and sub-zero winter in Montreal” back in February. An appendix of sorts to his debut album, The Skeletal System, which was released at the start of the year, the EP shows a self-described “marked shift in direction towards a more electronic feel and brings an introduction to the second full-length album, which is scheduled for release in 2016.” As just under…

  • Happenings present: The Big Lebowski @ Merrion Square, Dublin

    August 6, 2015 - By 

    That rug really tied the room together, didn’t it? But enough about the rug. Happenings are hosting a one-off outdoor screening of the one, the only The Big Lebowski on Thursday, August 6 at Dublin’s Merrion Square. Tickets are available on the gate only for €5. Doors open at 7.30 PM. We’d said more but this one pretty much speaks for itself. Additional persuasion below.

  • CultureTECH 2015 Programme Launched

    August 6, 2015 - By 

    Taking place across September 12-20 in Derry, CultureTECH 2015 for a “week-long festival of tech, media, music and games for the whole family”. Having established itself a world-class digital institution over the last few years, the programme for this year’s festival includes Maker City (a 2-day celebration of innovation and having fun with technology), City Arcade (featuring three days of Minecraft tournaments, costumes, YouTubers and video games fun) and a Street Party on September 18, featuring Booka Brass Band, Loris and Jessica Doherty. Elsewhere, there’ll be several other events, ranging from the curiously-titled Invasion Derry, Appetite for Design and our personal…

  • Dublin Comic Con 2015

    August 6, 2015 - By 

    Having sold out their last two shows, this year’s Dublin Comic Con on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 will take place at the Convention Centre to accommodate the huge demand. With over 8000 attendees last year, this year’s convention will feature a whole host of new guests panels and talks, outdoor activities, exhibitors, retailers, artists, signings, talks showcases and more. Go to the Dublin Comic Con website here for much more info and here to buy tickets.

  • Festival Mixtape: Stendhal Festival of Art

    August 6, 2015 - By 

    Hands down the best annual music and arts festival in the North of Ireland – and officially Ireland’s Best Small Festival – Stendhal Festival of Art returns to Limavady this weekend with yet another genre-spanning festival for revellers young and old. Headlined by the equally legendary Donovan and Kerbdog, this year’s outing once again features a wide-ranging slew of homegrown talent, including Ciaran Lavery, The Bonnevilles, Robyn G Shiels, GO WOLF, Rainy Boy Sleep, Hot Cops, Tucan, Katharine Philippa, Sister Ghost, Oh Volcano and more. Go here to buy tickets and stream our fifteen-track Festival Mixtape for this year’s festival below.

  • RBMA Reveal Electric Picnic Line-Up

    August 5, 2015 - By 

    With less than a month to go, Red Bull Music Academy has announced its line-up for this year’s sold out Electric Picnic. Daire Carolan, Paul Woolford and Space Dimension Controller will get things off to a first-rate start on the Friday, Saturday will see sets from Todd Terry, Lerosa and Morgan Buckley and Boya AKA Wino Boyz. Finally, on the Sunday, New Jackson, Krystal Klear (pictured), Tr One, Lunar Disko and The Gentleman’s Academy host the Red Bull Disco Brunch.