• Arctic Monkeys @ 3Arena, Dublin

    September 25, 2018 - By 

    The bitter nights may have crept in but a jam-packed Luas to The Point Depot keeps makes it a cosy spin. This is the first of two sold-out Arctic Monkeys shows in Dublin’s 3Arena. A lush stage setup resembling a hotel lounge illuminates at 9 o’clock as the house lights go down. The now packed venue explodes as the Sheffield heroes walk on stage dressed in tailor made suits and shiny leather shoes. Alex Turner, sporting a tight new haircut, has developed a hybrid aesthetic of a skin head and Nick Cave. They launch into ‘4 out of 5’, the lead single…

  • Eels @ Iveagh Gardens, Dublin

    July 9, 2018 - By 

    With the World Cup, the glorious weather and the afterwork buzz there is sense of anticipation around Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens on this balmy Friday night. It’s a beautiful part of the city and it is wonderful walking through the trees to see the food tents and all the happy faces of this vastly mixed crowd. The four man band of Eels take to the stage just after 8.30pm.  They take no prisoners by lashing into it some cover versions of The Who classic ‘Out In The Street’ then rather strangely and brilliantly ‘Raspberry Beret’, by the one and only Prince.…

  • Ryan Adams @ Olympia Theatre, Dublin

    September 13, 2017 - By 

    Walking into the main room of The Olympia Theatre, you would almost feel as if you are on the set of a 1980s Sci-fi movie as enormous Fender guitar amps, stacks of old cathode Ray TVs and stuffed tigers occupy the stage. As the no doubt Neil Young Rust Never Sleeps-inspired props loom over the audience it makes the room feel really small. This cranks up the excitement levels about being in such an intimate setting with Ryan Adams. Karen Elson opens the proceeding this evening. Touring with Adams on the back of her sophomore LP Double Roses, Elson and…

  • Girl Band @ Vicar Street, Dublin

    April 4, 2016 - By 

    There is a sense of mystery about the Girl Band show at Vicar Street tonight. They have not played Dublin since releasing their debut LP Holding Hands With Jamie in September 2015. They rescheduled their Dublin show since cancelling their North American and European tours, including the Button Factory in November. They have since whittled down their new tour to a handful of dates worldwide, including Pitchfork Festival in Chicago where they are the only Irish act to play. This is a hot ticket to have. From the moment you walk in the front door you can smell the anticipation.…