• Stream: Uly – Redlight

    April 1, 2019 - By 

    Uly is the pseudonym of Dublin-based astrophysics graduate-turned multi-instrumentalist Rafino Murphy. Having found his feet playing with some of Dublin’s finest acts, such as Nealo, INNRSPACE and Over Being Under, Murphy started Uly as a solo project in 2018. This project combines lo-fi bedroom beats with hypnotic sonic landscapes to create hypnagogic tracks that are as groovy as they are dreamy. Having recently signed a deal with Dublin-based Faction Records, Uly has dropped his first single with the label, ’Redlight’. The track is a perfect example of Uly’s unique blend of funk and lo-fi, taking the listener down a rabbit hole…

  • Nealo w/ Alex Gough @ Whelans, Dublin

    March 31, 2019 - By 

    From the smoking area of Whelans, dull rhythmic thuds can be heard from within the venue’s upstairs stage. Alex Gough has just begun his very first live set and for the few that have gathered to watch, it is apparent that he is no ordinary hip-hop act. Clad in what could be described as 1960s beach-wear, the 19-year-old Waterford-born prodigy is not only the on-duty MC, but also the resident drummer. Gough effortlessly juggles J-Dilla inspired beats with flows that are as smooth in delivery as they are sticky with funk. Although stiff at first, Gough (below) and his band…

  • Anderson .Paak w/ Tayla Parx @ The Olympia, Dublin

    March 20, 2019 - By 

    The Olympia is at about half capacity and there’s a gentle chitter-chatter in the air as support act Tayla Parx takes to the stage. For those not in the know, PARC is better known for her behind the scenes work, having recently collaborated with Ariana Grande and Panic! at the disco. If you look at the songwriting credits for the big pop hits of 2018, you’re bound to find her name on a few of them. Parx’ energy on stage is like that of an excited child, in the best possible way. She is giddy, charismatic and bubbly as hell,…

  • RTÉ Choice Music Prize 2018

    March 8, 2019 - By 

    It’s hard to convey the buzz in Vicar Street as the place starts filling up. You can’t look anywhere without spotting a handful of familiar faces. From my vantage point. rappers Kojaque and Luka Palm can be seen relaxing on the right side of the balcony, while blogger Nialler9 sits further to my left. Anybody that is a somebody in the Irish music industry is present. The show kicks off with a little introduction from presenter Eoghan McDermott. There’s the usual spiel of “Are we doing well?… I said, ‘Are we doing well?’” before he cracks on introducing the first…

  • 19 for ’19: Nealo

    March 8, 2019 - By 

    We continue 19 for ’19, our feature looking at Irish acts we’re convinced are going places in 2019, with Dublin MC Nealo. Photo by Zoe Holman If the name Nealo is unfamiliar to you I have two very simple instructions: firstly, get your head out of the sand, and secondly, lend your ears to one of this country’s finest MCs. Nealo, real name Neal Keating, is a rapper from North Dublin that has exploded onto the Irish music scene over the last few months. Having first found international recognition as the vocalist of hardcore punk band Frustration, he has since…

  • 19 for ’19: Post Punk Podge & the Technohippies

    January 14, 2019 - By 

    We continue 19 for ’19, our feature showcasing nineteen Irish acts we’re convinced are going places in 2019. Throughout January we’re going to be previewing each of those acts, accompanied by words from our writers and an original photograph from one of our photographers. Next up, one of Limerick’s finest, Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies. Photo by Sean McCormack ___ Beginning to describe Post Punk Podge is a task within itself. Post Punk Podge is kind of like Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys, but he’s got a Limerick accent, plays viola and wears a postage envelope over his head.…

  • 19 For ’19: PowPig

    January 16, 2019 - By 

    It’s that time again; back to earth, grounding those Great Hopes and the potential of our best selves in reality once more. We do have a few great hopes for 2019, however. As always, over the remainder of January, our wonderful and talented team of photographers have paired with our writing team to deliver some previews of some artists to keep an eye on in the year ahead. Third out of the traps, we have one of the most exciting emergent acts from Limerick, a city whose 2018 solidified its status as Ireland’s current musical incubator. They featured prominently on our end of year singles and releases lists, and are astonishingly still all in their teens. Photo by…

  • Slaves w/ The Murder Capital @ The Academy, Dublin

    November 14, 2018 - By 

    As Royal Turnbridge Wells punk duo Slaves take to the stage of the Academy, the sheer visceral energy in the air becomes palpable. The venue’s pit is overflowing with young adults dressed like their parents (with few pulling the look off), whilst the area surrounding the pit is packed to the brim, with what appears to be the aforementioned parents. An interesting demographic to say the very least. From the get-go, the pit is transformed into a vicious sea, with waves of people being thrown back and forth. Occasionally someone scrambles to the surface and crowdsurfs for a few seconds,…

  • Mitski w/ EERA @ Tivoli Theatre, Dublin

    September 24, 2018 - By 

    As Mitski takes to the Tivoli stage, accompanied by her four-piece band, there are shrieks and howls from the sea of caps and thick-rimmed glasses before her. Support act EERA have clearly warmed up the crowd sufficiently with their blend of dream-pop and indie rock. Aside from that, it’s clear that the crowd are not just casual listeners: they are fanatics. As the abrasive and electric opening riff of ‘Remember My Name’ rears it’s ugly head, Mitski remains stationary, with her hands behind her back, looking slightly upward. She appears powerful in this stance, proving that one does not need flashy…

  • BROCKHAMPTON @ The Helix, Dublin

    August 23, 2018 - By 

    It’s 7:30 PM on Wednesday the 22nd of August when the doors of the Helix open up to the mob of streetwear and ‘meet me at McDonalds’ haircuts that has gathered outside to see Brockhampton. Since last year, the California-based musical collective has been catapulted to the top of the international Hip-Hop scene, primarily through the incredible success of their “Saturation” albums. As the foyer of the venue is flooded with trendy twenty-somethings and swaggy umpteen year olds, there is definitely a unique buzz in the air. Somewhere between the talk of guest-list difficulties, mention of insufficient security and numerous…