• Irish Tour: Future Islands and Sacred Paws

    July 10, 2017 - By 

    Future Islands with support from Sacred Paws live in Dublin, Galway and Cork. Words by Kelly Doherty and Paula Murphy, photos by Sean McCormack and Alan Maguire. Cork Opera House It’s been a long time since Future Islands first played to an Irish crowd of 14 people and it wouldn’t be a far jump to say that in the intervening years they’ve become somewhat indie darlings on this island and the sold out Cork crowd is more than happy to spend Independence Day with their favourite American exports. Before they take the stage, we’re treated to a blinder of a…

  • Irish Tour: HamsandwicH

    December 31, 2016 - By 

    Peter O’Hanlon, Ian McDonnell andoira Reilly  capture HamsandwicH live at Dublin’s Academy, Kilkenny’s Set Theatre and Dolan’s Warehouse in Limerick. The Academy, Dublin Photos by Peter O’Hanlon Set Theatre, Kilkenny Photos by Ian McDonnell Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick Photos by Moira Reilly

  • Irish Tour: Wolf Alice & Spies

    March 8, 2016 - By 

    Having released their Mercury Prize-nominated debut My Love Is Cool last year, London alt-rock quartet Wolf Alice stopped at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre & Belfast’s Mandela Hall at the weekend. Support came from Spies. Photos by Aaron Corr & Alan Maguire. Olympia Theatre, Dublin by Aaron Corr Mandela Hall, Belfast by Alan Maguire

  • Irish Tour: Soulfly

    February 4, 2016 - By 

    Fresh from the release of their tenth studio album, Archangel, Max Cavalera’s Soulfly rolled into Ireland this week for shows at Dublin’s Academy and Belfast’s Limelight 2. Limelight 2, Belfast Photos by Liam Kielt Wednesday, February 3 saw many people disregard the fact that it was a school night to venture out and witness a legend in action in the form of metal icon Max Cavalera. Belfast’s Limelight 2 hosted what turned out to be quite the family affair, with several of Cavalera’s offspring also performing. In first support slot was Lody Kong featuring sons Zyon on drums and Igor Jnr…

  • Irish Tour: Villagers w/ Somerville

    February 1, 2016 - By 

    With support from Somerville, Villagers enthralled Dublin’s Vicar Street and Galway’s Black Box Theatre on Thursday and Friday night. Words by Eoin Murray. Photos by Mark Earley and Vincent Hughes. Vicar Street, Dublin Photos by Mark Earley Black Box Theatre, Galway Photos by Vincent Hughes On a freezing Friday night in January when the pelting rain hurts your face there are few things that will warm your body and toast your soul more than hearing a collection of masterfully constructed folk songs that manage to maintain an emotional, poetic rawness despite the very professional polish.  Tonight’s sold out show by in Galway’s…

  • Irish Tour: John Grant

    February 1, 2016 - By 

    With words by Ross Thompson and photos from Alan Maguire and Sean McCormack, we capture the very mighty John Grant at Belfast’s Mandela Hall and Galway’s Seapoint. Mandela Hall, Belfast Photos by Alan Maguire John Grant is, to put it bluntly, as cool as all get out. Whether crooning over torch ballads or getting his proverbial freak on to big-boned electro, he plays the showman with consummate ease. Each of the mantles fit him equally well, thanks in no small part to his not only the appeal of his soaring, velvety voice but also his natural charm. Following support Icelandic multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter…

  • Irish Tour: East India Youth

    January 25, 2016 - By 

    In the latest installment of Irish Tour, we capture William Doyle AKA East India Youth at Belfast’s Black Box and Dublin’s Button Factory. Words by Cathal McBride, photos by Ruth Kelly and Isabel Thomas. The Black Box, Belfast Photos by Ruth Kelly It’s been a busy couple of years for William Doyle, better known as East India Youth. First his 2014 debut LP Total Strife Forever gets nominated for the Mercury Prize, then he signs with XL to release follow up Culture Of Volume little more than a year later to similar levels of acclaim, all while constantly touring in…

  • Irish Tour: Ash

    December 22, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Irish Tour, we go on the road to capture NI alt-rock royalty Ash in Dublin, Galway and Belfast. Words by Conor Callanan, photos by Isabel Thomas, Sean McCormack and Alan Maguire. Olympia Theatre, Dublin It’s hard to believe that Downpatrick’s favourite sons Ash have reached the twenty-third year of their career. It doesn’t seem all that long ago when the teenage trio of Tim Wheeler, Rick McMurray and Mark Hamilton appeared on Top of the Pops, had some of their earliest tracks appear in US movies, and got to record a live album in one of Australia’s…

  • Irish Tour: Therapy?

    December 13, 2015 - By 

    With words from Conor Callanan at the former, Ste Murray and Liam Kielt capture the mighty Therapy? at The Button Factory, Dublin and Belfast’s Limelight 1 (AAA). The Button Factory, Dublin One of the main qualities of a band such as Therapy? is their pure and unadulterated unwillingness to compromise. During their 26 year career they’ve never shied away from sticking steadfastly to their guns when it comes to releasing what they’ve wanted. No matter what the response may be from fans or critics alike. With the release of 1994’s Troublegum it seemed like Therapy? were on the cusp of something…