• Under the Drum 2025

    June 10, 2025 - By 

    Already one of the island’s most vital small festivals, Under the Drum returns to the lush, rewilded grounds of Breckenhill, just outside Belfast across 8–9 August. Lovingly curated by siblings Will, George and Rosanna Reade, the festival unfolds across a family-run site that’s been rewilded over 37 years. Every tree was planted with care and every corner of Breckenhill hums with something honest. The result is a weekend that feels genuinely grounded; a low-key, high-impact alternative to the noise elsewhere. I was there last year and had an incredible time: bands in the barn, falcons in the sky and that…

  • Under the Drum 2024

    September 19, 2024 - By 

    For all the many truly special DIY festivals scattered across the island (Féile Na Gréine, Open Ear, Quarter Block Party…) there is always and forever space for more. For those of you of a similar disposition who are located in and around Belfast—or not adverse to a little road trip—the inaugural outing for Under the Drum on Saturday, 28th September, is very worthy of your attention. Taking over Breckenhill, a family home and events venue just 30 minutes from Belfast and on the edge of the Antrim hills, the boutique festival is, blessedly, set to bring together various artists we’ve…

  • Eno. at IFI, Dublin

    September 4, 2024 - By 

    The Irish Film Institute (IFI) is set to host the Dublin premiere of Eno., a cutting-edge generative documentary that delves deep into the creative mind of the legendary musician and artist Brian Eno. Widely lauded for his work with icons including David Bowie, U2, and Talking Heads, Eno’s influence on music and art is unparalleled. Now, in Eno., audiences will gain unprecedented insight into his creative process, thanks to the vision of director Gary Hustwit. Eno. defies the conventions of the typical music documentary. Steering clear of the usual hagiography, the film draws on a wealth of material, including never-before-seen…

  • Ghouls On Film Zine Launch: The Satanic Slumber Party

    August 10, 2024 - By 

    Ghouls On Film, Belfast’s essential feminist horror film club, is gearing up to launch its third zine this weekend. Led by Belfast artist Isabella Koban, the club has become a vital space for monthly screenings of cult classics and indie gems that challenge traditional portrayals of women in horror. The Ghouls On Film zine doubles down on this mission, solidifying its place in both the film and zine scenes on the island. A beautifully curated and masterfully collaborative effort, the first two issues have showcased local talent and provided sharp, fresh perspectives on horror, with themes like Hysteria & Lunacy.…

  • Adore w/ Support at Anseo

    July 11, 2024 - By 

    If your ear is anywhere near close to the ground – or you’ve found yourself in venues such as Róisín Dubh, Cyprus Avenue and Workman’s Cellar over the last while – you’ll likely know why Adore have swiftly emerged as one of the country’s fiercest garage-punk propositions. Made up of Lara Minchin on guitar and vocals, bassist/vocalist Lachlann Ó Fionnáin, and drummer Naoise Jordan Cavanagh, the trio wield a singular sound that shows just cause for their (oft-pedalled but not always called-for) “fast-rising” status. Uniting from opposite corners of the island – Galway, Donegal and Dublin – the band are…

  • The Filth and the Floodlights Festival

    July 10, 2024 - By 

    An unmissable, two-day DIY punk festival takes over the home of Bohemian’s FC – Dalymount Park in Phibsboro – this weekend. Celebrating 20 years of DIY shows gigs in the bar, The Filth and the Floodlights is a fully stacked showcase set for Mono’s on Saturday, 13th July and Sunday, 14th July, A non-profit event, with all money going to bands and overheads, the two-dayer kicks on Saturday from 3pm until 1am, with sets from the likes of Hands Up Who Wants To Die, Surge, Genuflection, Special Branch, YOP and more. An all-ages affair, Sunday is equally essential, with Wild Rocket,…

  • PUNKS 4 PRIDE at Fibbers

    July 2, 2024 - By 

    Assuming you’re not some TERF waster, Fibbers is the place to be in Dublin on Tuesday, 2nd July. Fend off the post-Pride blues with a stellar three-band bill in the basement, featuring Survival Horror, TTA favourites Touch Excellent and All Girls Piss (a) factual statement and b) great new band, well worth getting down to Parnell Street for.) Doors are 7pm, tickets are €8. Best of all, each ticket includes a donation to Trans Harm Reduction, a volunteer-run, grassroots organisation and charity that does truly great frontline work for our trans community in Ireland. Photo for The Thin Air by…

  • The Conncert at The Lodge, Co. Mayo

    July 2, 2024 - By 

    It’s been our decade-plus pleasure to remind readers that, beyond the bigger cities on this particular floating landmass, we are extremely fucking blessed to have myriad sound heads making it all happen for independent Irish music – very often for the love of it, above all else. Throw in the fact that what those heads are making happen is often wonderfully world-beating in quality, not to mention how it builds and supports communities where they would literally otherwise cease to exist, and we are positively consecrated with the absolute craic. Should you wish to experience the square root of this…

  • Belfast Photo Festival 2024

    June 5, 2024 - By 

    The 10th-anniversary edition of Belfast Photo Festival is underway. Running from June 6th to 30th, and delving into the theme of Divergence, Northern Ireland’s leading visual arts festival celebrates this milestone by transforming public spaces and historic sites with exhibitions from international artists, including the island of Ireland premiere of Richard Mosse’s Broken Spectre. This year’s festival addresses the climate emergency, rapid digitalization, and ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence through contemporary photography. Among the many highlights for our money is the debut of Broken Spectre at Carlisle Memorial Church, supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Belfast Buildings Trust. This…

  • 9.57 (Sunset)

    June 5, 2024 - By 

    Curated by Cork Midsummer artist-in-residence and long-time TTA favourite ELLLL and Sample-studios, 9.57 (Sunset) is an essential new series of live performances, electronic music, and late-night DJs celebrating the summer solstice. Taking place over two weekends from 9.57pm until late at Triskel Arts Centre in Cork, the series kicks off on Saturday, 15 June with the free-form psych/dub-dance of headliners Holy Tongue. The evening opens with FIXITY, led by composer, improviser and drummer Dan Walsh, wrapping up with surprise guest DJs at the CTC at TDC space. The following night, cellist and composer Okkyung Lee presents her unique blend of…