• 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.

  • Watch: Abandcalledboy – LA Dick

    August 5, 2015 - By 

    Any song with a main riff that evokes ‘Blindness’ by The Fall and an outro reminiscent of latter-day Tera Melos can only be a good thing in our books. Where are we going with this, you wonder? Wonder no more: Abandcalledboy have unveiled the video for their new single ‘LA Dick’, the suitably spazzed-out follow-up to their double single ‘George Best In Show/Paul Simon’s Daily Routine’, released back in March. Watch the video for the single –  created by Odhrain Soanes and Andrew Grafton – below.

  • Monday Mixtape: The Watchmakers

    August 3, 2015 - By 

    Ahead of their show at Reverbnation Psych Weekender in Dublin on August 14, self-proclaimed “fusion of shimmering, mind expanding aural surrealism and neo-psych grooves” The Watchmakers give us an insight into their current listening habits and key influences. The Babe Rainbow – Secret Enchanted Broccoli Forest Australia is currently producing some of our favourite new music. Everyone know’s all about the likes of Tame Impala, Pond and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard to name but three, but The Babe Rainbow are definitely my tip to be the next ‘Ozzy’ band to get people excited. Hinds – Trippy Gum The best act we…

  • Live Stream: Smalltown America All-Dayer #6

    July 31, 2015 - By 

    Co-hosted with yours truly, Smalltown America records will host their grand sixth All-Dayer this evening at STA HQ in Derry this evening from 5pm. Featuring American Clay, Carnivores, Clanns, Freak’s, Lost Avenue, PigsAsPeople, Rosseau and Small Hawk Orchestral, it is set to be yet another unforgettable, riff-fuelled happening from one of the country’s finest labels. Not able to make it? Never worry. Stream the entire thing below from 5pm! Better still, we will have videos from the All-Dayer coming on the site over the next few weeks. Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

  • The Divine Comedy set for Oh Yeah Legend Award

    August 3, 2015 - By 

    Neil Hannon’s The Divine Comedy will be the next recipient of the Oh Yeah Legend Award at Belfast’s Mandela Hall on November 14. Recognising “the exceptional contribution of a musician or a music industry figure from Northern Ireland” the award ceremony will take place at the next NI Music Prize, which takes place as part of a wider programme, Sound of Belfast, in November. Speaking of the award, Hannon said, “I am amazed and humbled to be receiving this honour. There is nothing more gratifying than recognition from your homeland, and I’m very much looking forward to playing some songs…