• Ireland Music Week 2021 Applications Now Open

    May 24, 2021 - By 

    The application process for Ireland Music Week 2021 has opened. Organised by First Music Contact, the annual artist showcase will return – in one form or another – across October 5th to October 8th. Whether it’ll be an in-person or online affair is yet to be confirmed, pending COVID-19 restrictions. What is clear, though, is that you can apply to perform by going here and clicking “Apply to Play”. Applications must be made through a Breaking Tunes profile and the closing date for applications is Friday June 18th at 6pm. “Last year IMW was one of the first global events to…

  • Belfast Blues Legend Rab McCullough Dies Aged 72

    May 24, 2021 - By 

    Belfast blues legend Rab McCullough has passed away. The guitarist, who had performed with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher, died followed a cardiac arrest last week. He was 72. In more recent years, McCullough was a much-loved presence at Belfast’s Empire Music Hall. Each Thursday night, he and his band would treat locals and visitors alike to genuine musical mastery and, on countless occasions, some singular magic. In a statement, the Empire said: “As you all know, Rab played every Thursday, come rain or shine, in the Empire Basement. Students, music lovers and casual drinkers alike could be found marvelling at…

  • Mdou Moctar To Play Belfast and Dublin

    May 24, 2021 - By 

    Trailblazing Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar will play Ireland next year. Off the back of the release of his stellar new album, Afrique Victime, the Niger-based musician plays Dublin’s Sugar Club on April 8 and Belfast’s Ulster Sports Club on April 9 as part of a forthcoming European tour. Tickets are on sale here and here. Check out Mdou Moctar’s recent Tiny Desk concert below.

  • Billie Eilish Set For Dublin and Belfast Shows

    May 21, 2021 - By 

    Billie Eilish is set to play three Irish shows next summer. As part of her Happier Than Ever, The World Tour, the 19-year-old will play Belfast’s SSE Arena on June 3 and Dublin’s 3Arena on June 4 and 5. Fans can register now through Sunday, May 23 at 11:59pm PT here for the Verified Fan presale. Registered fans who receive a code will have access to purchase tickets before the general public on Wednesday, May 26 at 12pm local time through 10pm local time.

  • Gary Numan Set For Irish Return

    May 18, 2021 - By 

    Gary Numan will make his return to Ireland next year. The London electronic pioneer, who will release his nineteenth studio album Intruder on Friday, will play Belfast’s Ulster Hall on May 21 and Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on May 24 2022. Priced at £32.50 and €34.50 respectively, tickets for the shows go on sale on Friday, May 28 2021 at 9.30am Check out Numan’s new single, ‘Saints and Liars’, below.

  • Premiere: Niall McDowell – Do You Think I’m Pretty?

    May 18, 2021 - By 

    In the summer of 2019, Belfast artist Niall McDowell marked his arrival via ‘Valentine’, a candid and homespun five-minute statement of intent. Following a string of equally promising releases including ‘You Have My Heart’, new single ‘Do You Think I’m Pretty?’ is a vivid snapshot of an artist swiftly on the rise. A self-proclaimed “chaotic ode to the moments within a relationship that are too specific to call out, in fear of seeming too much,” the song – his first song to be played with a full band – is a wonderfully wistful that bears the imprint of artists including…

  • Women’s Work 2021 Programme Launched

    May 17, 2021 - By 

    The programme for this year’s Women’s Work has been announced. The annual festival, which is run by Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre, will return online across June 17-20. As with previous outings, it’s set to be another electric celebration of women in music. Among the many showcases, Q+As, panels and gigs is the launch of Dani Larkin’s long-anticipated debut album, Notes for a Maiden Warrior, Oh Yeah Getting to Know events with Larkin and Pillow Queens and NI Electronic Workshop by Hannah Peel (pictured). For full info, go to the official Women’s Work festival website. “Women’s Work is a celebration…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – May 14

    May 14, 2021 - By 

    It’s been another stellar week for new releases in every corner of the island. Delve into the best of the lot, featuring Whozyerman?, Documenta, AILSHA, The Altered Hours, Dani Larkin and more. Whozyerman? – All The Time To Kill Documenta – Silverwood The Altered Hours – All Amnesia AILSHA – FBOY Dani Larkin – The Red (Maca’s Return) Carrie Baxter w/ Jack T Charles – I Wasn’t Looking For You All Tvvins – Something Special Four Nights – Not This Time Clare Sands, Steve Cooney & Tommy Sands – Abair Liom Do Rúin Scattered Ashes – Parallel Lines EP

  • William Basinski Set For First-Ever Dublin Show

    May 13, 2021 - By 

    U.S ambient electronic legend William Basinski will play his first-ever Dublin show later in the year. The New York-based artist, who is best known for his haunting 2002 work The Disintegration Loops, will play Pepper Canister Church on November 11. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, May 14, priced €20.00

  • Crumb Announce Dublin Show

    May 13, 2021 - By 

    Fast-rising Brooklyn-based quartet Crumb will play Dublin next year. Having just released their second album, Ice Melt, the Lila Ramani-fronted psych-rock band will wrap up their European tour at the Workman’s Club on 30th March 2022. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, May 14. Check out the band’s recent single ‘BNR’ below.