• Shot Glass: Three Strikes @ CQAF

    May 8, 2015 - By 

    On Tuesday night, Shot Glass theatre performed the second night of Three Strikes at Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, in the unusual surrounds of the Dark Horse Bar. A new concept in live theatre, Shot Glass bring edgy, dark theatre right into the pub. At three discreet tables in the bar, the protagonists sit, waiting their moment, the crowd having to twirl around to see from which corner the voice is coming. From Mary Jordan’s effortlessly cool account of her unusual application of Brazil Nuts and her husband’s subsequent demise to Gerry Crossan’s delightfully bizarre rant as ‘Blow-Dry Barry’ the pub goers…

  • The First Time: Robyn G Shiels

    May 29, 2014 - By 

    Whether you’re completely new to or just need a little reminding, The First Time is a regular feature by Belfast-based photographer Joe Laverty, in which he meets up with an individual – usually a musician – involved in Irish music, takes a spectacular portrait photo and proceeds to enquire about their musical “firsts” – first album, first gig, first band shirt, etc. Up this time is Kilrea-derived songwriter extraordinaire Robyn G Shiels, a tale-telling master who will launch his long-awaited second studio album, The Blood of the Innocents, at Belfast’s Black Box on Saturday night (May 31). The shoot took place…

  • The First Time: Michael Pope (Le Galaxie)

    January 13, 2014 - By 

    Ahead of their extraordinary Belfast show at the Black Box on Friday night (January 10) Joe Laverty met up with Michael Pope from Dublin indie-dance band Le Galaxie to discover the musical firsts of his music making, listening and loving life thus far. He also found time to take the above portrait photograph of the frontman in all his ultra-commanding, disco ball-holding glory. First album you bought? Thriller First single you bought? Kylie Minogue – ‘I Should Be So Lucky’ First live concert/gig? Michael Jackson, Lansdowne Road 1992 First album you properly loved? Achtung Baby   First artist/band to change your…

  • The First Time: Steven McCool (Little Bear)

    December 2, 2013 - By 

    In the latest installment of The First Time, we ask Steven McCool from Derry band Little Bear to divulge the “firsts” of his music listening, loving and making life. Thanks, as ever, to the upstanding and excruciatingly talented Joe Laverty for the wonderful accompanying portrait photo of Steven. Nice, isn’t it? Check out more of Joe’s photography right here. First album you bought? Excluding the dodgy rave tapes that I bought from the local market, I think it might have been Radiohead – Pablo Honey, and/or Gomez – Bring It On.   First single you bought? The Hed Boys – ‘Girls…

  • The First Time: David C Clements

    November 14, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of his appearance at the Belfast Music Week showcase at the Limelight tonight, alt-folk singer-songwriter David C Clements is the latest local artist to allow Belfast-based photographer Joe Laverty (responsible for the wonderful portrait photo above) insight into the “firsts” of their listening, loving and making lives. First album you bought? Bathroom floor by Booley First single you bought? ‘Spaceman’ by Babylon Zoo First live concert/gig? Phantom of the Opera in the Point, but my first actual gig was Stereophonics supported by Turin Brakes. First album you properly loved? Biffy Clyro – Blackened Sky   First artist/band to change your music-listening/making life?…

  • The First Time: Louise Holden of I Draw Slow

    October 11, 2013 - By 

    In the latest installment of The First Time, Belfast-based photographer Joe Laverty catches up with Louise Holden of Dublin-based roots/Americana five-piece I Draw Slow to pry, ever so respectfully, into the “firsts” of her music-listening, loving and making life. As always, Joe also took the above stunningly nice portrait photo of the vocalist just after her band’s set at Happy Valley Festival in Thomastown in June. Admire Joe’s copious and ever-expanding talents right here and read on to learn about Holden’s rather marked historical appreciation of The Cure. First album you bought? I’d like to say the Carter Family but actually I think it might have…

  • In Photos: Culture Night Belfast 2013

    September 21, 2013 - By 

    Ahead of our feature review on Monday, we present a wonderful selection of photographer Joe Laverty’s shots of this year’s Culture Night Belfast. With 250 events taking popping up in 70+ venues across the city to thousands of people, it turned out to be a totally kaleidoscopic exposé of art, music and culture – undoubtedly the annual event’s best outing to date. Check out Joe’s photos below and make sure to check to read our review!