• James Vincent McMorrow @ Trinity College, Dublin

    July 11, 2017 - By 

    It’s a strange experience to find oneself in the midst of Dublin’s most infamous crease, where many a can has been slugged back over the years, and feel as though one has been transported outside of these hallowed walls, such is the change in surroundings. As the crowd meanders between various food stalls and queue for the now ever familiar Heineken bar, All Tvvins put on a highly energetic set of synth pop laden tunes. Guitarist Larry Kaye and vocalist/bassist Conor Adams plus an accompanying drummer, try their damndest to get the audience in the mood courtesy of the infectiously…

  • Pixies @ Trinity College, Dublin

    July 10, 2017 - By 

    A Pixies gig always brings out a rather diverse range of fans be it those aging rockers, no doubt relishing in reliving their debauched college days, to those in their mid-thirties wearing reunion related Pixies shirts, and of course, the “kids” in their early twenties. And tonight is no different. As the clouds gather overhead, it seems as though the light drizzle that has been teasing the crowd may well turn into a grumpier blast of hail, but for now it holds tight and come 8:45pm Pixies stroll on stage with Joey Santiago leading the way, followed swiftly by Black…

  • The Redneck Manifesto @ Whelans, Dublin

    February 17, 2017 - By 

    It says a lot about a band who having not released any new music in over six years and who play live so intermittently, that they still manage to more or less sell out two nights in one of Dublin’s best-loved venues. Ever since their formative years, there has always been a strong bond between The Redneck Manifesto and their fans and tonight proves to be no different with bassist Richie Egan commenting after just the second track; “Wednesday was cool but already Thursday feels a lot better”. All six members – Niall Byrne (guitar), Mervyn Craig (drums), Glenn Keating…

  • Irish Tour: Buzzcocks

    November 8, 2016 - By 

    2016 sees punk celebrating its 40th anniversary, with bands such as The Undertones and The Damned having already passed through the Academy’s doors this year in celebratory mood. Heck, even the British Library have gotten in on the act by curating an event to mark the milestone of a time when the disgruntled youth of the mid 1970’s finally found a voice via this raucous counter-culture. Having witnessed the Sex Pistols in London during the early part of 1976, Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto travelled back to their native Bolton and formed Buzzcocks. With the release of their debut Spiral…

  • White Denim w/ Wyvern Lingo @ Whelan’s, Dublin

    August 18, 2016 - By 

    It’s no surprise that the main band room is beginning to feel rather like a sauna with every passing minute, due to the constant flow of punters that pass through this infamous venue’s doors. Following the release of their latest full length album Stiff, White Denim are returning to the capital, albeit for only the third time, to a near packed out and rather excitable bunch. There is a clear presence of heightened anticipation for the headliners amongst the audience, which has led to a majority of the floor space already taken up by the time support act Wyvern Lingo take…

  • The Beatyard 2016 (Day Two)

    August 4, 2016 - By 

    Day two of Beatyard 2016 ztarts off on a sour note as word filters through that the Daptone records’ soul maestro Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires have had to pull their main stage appearance, due to the man himself being unwell. Alas, these things happen so it is left to the organisers to switch a few things around. In relation to the same time yesterday the numbers are nowhere near as high, however Brazilian Sambo outfit Morro 16 appear on the main stage, to what is at the outset a pretty paltry number, in the hope of boosting spirits. As…

  • The Beatyard 2016 (Day One)

    August 2, 2016 - By 

    Following on from its successful debut last year, the Beatyard Festival makes a welcome return to Dún Laoghaire’s former Stena Line ferry terminal. There seems to have been a conscious decision made by the promoters, Bodytonic, to expand on the non-music related features from last year which includes: a wide variety of talks with accompanying Q&A’s, an expanded flea market, a designated gaming zone and a specific child friendly play area. The layout of the festival itself is well thought out which allows the crowd to find their way around rather effortlessly, without the fear of having to rush around…

  • Inbound: Lauren Bird

    July 21, 2016 - By 

    Hailing from Strabane in County Tyrone, Lauren Bird is is an artist steadily making a name for herself within the Irish singer-songwriter scene. In May 2014 Bird – or McGeogh to the family postman – uploaded her self-titled debut EP onto Bandcamp, and within two days it had hit the number one spot on the site’s acoustic chart. Bird’s affiliation with the world of music began after she took up the viola aged 7, and from there she gravitated toward the guitar, piano, drums, bass and finally the ukulele. It’s the latter instrument that is the main focus of her…

  • Candi Staton @ The Sugar Club, Dublin

    June 13, 2016 - By 

    As the final few bars of New Orleans’ funk maestros The Meters’ ‘Handclapping Song’ filter through the Sugar Club’s sound system, the lights dim and the sold out crowd show their appreciation following the appearance on stage by the Queen of Southern Soul, Candi Staton. Having begun her musical career as a teenager in the early 1950’s as a member of a gospel trio, it’s hard to imagine by looking at the lady standing in front of a highly anticipated audience that she is now 76 years of age. Staton starts off tonight’s proceedings with the slow yet funk fuelled…

  • The King Khan & BBQ Show w/ September Girls @ The Workman’s Club, Dublin

    April 26, 2016 - By 

    One of the main attributes that is often associated with King Khan and his partner in crime Mark Sultan – AKA The BBQ – when they perform is that the crowd are never left wanting. As a band they are an incredibly tight combo, who not only take huge pleasure in emphasising their die-hard passion for old school rock ‘n’ roll, doo-wop and punk, but are driven to put on a show that will reside in their audience’s memory for some time after they leave the stage. As a result it’s no surprise to learn that their appearance in the Workmans Club…