A breathtaking, career-spanning set from Depeche Mode at the 3Arena. Support by Nadine Shah. Photos by Ian Davies
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Ireland’s leading annual electronic festival AVA have announced details of its massive tenth edition. Marking a decade at the top of the game, the world-beating Belfast festival returns to the Titanic Slipways across 31st May to 1st June with another finely-tuned mix of global and homegrown trailblazers. Among the highlights in the first line-up announcement are Nia Archives, Barry Can’t Swim, Kerri Chandler, Horsegirl, Helena Hauff and local legends Bicep, who once again return to the festival, this time to perform their Chroma AV DJ project. A host of local stalwarts make this year’s outing as essential as they come.…
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Pillow Queens have announced details of their third studio album, Name Your Sorrow. The Dublin indie-rock quartet – and The Thin Air cover stars – will release the follow-up to 2022’s Leave The Light On on 19th April via Royal Mountain Records. Produced by Collin Pastore (Lucy Dacus, boygenius) at Analogue Catalogue in Northern Ireland, the album is led with new single ‘Gone’. Watch its video below. Speaking about the album, guitarist Cathy McGuinness said: “”It is about stages of love, loss and grief and how they can all exist alongside one another–intertwined, messy, beautiful–how both love and loss can…
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It’s been some time coming but Casavettes have announced their long-awaited reunion. The Limerick emo heroes, who we last heard from back in the halcyon days of 2019, announced their return via social media today. “We’re nervous and excited to tell you we’ll be playing some shows in February and March,” shared the band AKA vocalist and guitarist, Diarmuid O’Shea, bassist Michael Hennessy and drummer Stephen Ryan. “It’s been over four years since we last saw you. We’ve missed it.” As well as the promise of new music “soon,” the three-piece will play the following shows in February and March:…
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Belfast-based artist Clara Tracey muses on a formative musical memory from her upbringing in Co. Fermanagh, ‘The Spanish Lady’ by Maighréad and Triona Ní Dhomhnaill Photo by Monika Ruman When asked to contemplate the vaults of my musical experience, I don’t really feel qualified, especially seeing as this is one of the few legitimately “cool” music magazines. As someone who came into an eclectic musical awareness really only in the last ten years, what went before feels like a fairly classic blur of A Woman’s Heart and whatever Gay Byrne and co were playing on nineties RTÉ (nothing against that…
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The shortlist for the 19th annual Irish Album of the Year in association with IMRO and IRMA has been revealed. Following arguably the strongest 12 months for Irish music in recent memory, the following ten albums have made the cut for the 2023 Choice shortlist: CMAT – Crazymad, for Me Grian Chatten – Chaos For The Fly John Francis Flynn – Look Over The Wall, See The Sky Kojaque – Phantom of the Afters Lankum – False Lankum The Murder Capital – Gigi’s Recovery Rachael Lavelle – Big Dreams Soda Blonde – Dream Big The Scratch – Mind Yourself Ezra…
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It’s our final weekly round-up of the year, featuring new music from Cathal Francis, ALYXIS feat. CMAT, Anderson Nightmare, Sinéad White and more Cathal Francis – Elle ALYXIS feat. CMAT – Grip Anderson Nightmare – Ready For You Sinéad White – Common Denominator Common Denominator by Sinéad White Erika Severyns – Ireland Erika Severyns · Ireland Rory Nellis – Forget You Love (Live) Owls – Bury Me Big Tears – I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend Conor Furlong – In My Arms
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Sunn O))) have been announced to play the National Concert Hall next year. Comprising core members Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson, the drone metal titans play a fully-seated show at the Dublin venue on 25th March 2024. Featuring special guests Jesse Sykes with Phil Wandscher and Bill Herzog, it marks the duo’s first performance in the city since 2017. Presented by Foggy Notions and U:MACK, tickets for the show are on sale now, priced 36.50. Limited VIP ticket add-ons including a soundcheck viewing experience and photo with the Sunn O))) backline are also available. Revisit our review of the band’s…
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As home to the likes of Just Mustard, Jinx Lennon, Elephant and The Mary Wallopers, world-beating venues including The Spirit Store and forward-pushing movers like Pizza Pizza Records, it’s safe to say Dundalk more than holds its own when it comes to representing what is setting Irish music apart in 2023. It’s a wonderfully independent spirit that runs through COLLIDE, a new, late-night series from An Táin Arts Centre and the Spirit Store. Beginning in winter 2023 and ending in spring 2024, the venues will collaborate on four downright unmissable bills featuring some TTA favourites. And how better to shine…
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Patti Smith has announced two dates in Dublin next year. The legendary American singer-songwriter and poet will play two (relatively) intimate shows at Vicar Street on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th June 2024. Presented by Foggy Notions, the performances will see Smith perform alongside her band the Patti Smith Quartet. Presale is available now via Foggy Notions and general sale is 10am this Friday, December 15th. Revisit a stone-cold Smith classic from 1975 below.