• “We Are…” by Diarmuid Kennedy

    One of the leading lights in Irish freelance photography, Belfast-based photographer Diarmuid Kennedy will host “We Are…”, an exhibition featuring a selection of his superb black-and-white local gig photography at Belfast’s Linen Mill Library from Monday, August 4 to Thursday, August 28. Having snapped countless bands and artists in numerous venues across the last couple of years, Kennedy has captured some extraordinary and unforgettable performances. The exhibition – part of the Local Art by Local Artists exhibitions featuring Northern Irish artists – is sure to be a wonderful testatment to Kennedy’s skill and passion for capturing up-and-coming musicians in the live…

  • Becks Rhythm Weekender

    New Belfast venue Aether & Echo will play host to two nigh on unmissable shows as part of the forthcoming Becks Rhythm Weekender on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24. Legendary Godfather of neo-soul, co-founder of jazz funk and one of the most sampled artists in history, Roy Ayers will grace the stage on the Saturday night. Renown for his stunning live jazz shows, his tracks such as ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, ‘Searchin” and ‘Running Away’ has seen him become one of the most iconic and respected musicians of his genre. His influence and reach over six decades cannot be overstated; to…

  • Gigs of the Week: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Arctic Monkeys, Neil Young

    With Wimbledon reaching an exciting conclusion yesterday evening, and the World Cup edging towards its finale this week, the summer seems to be well and truly flying by. But never fear, friends: we at the Thin Air are here to guide you towards the finest gigs happening across the country over the next seven days. Arctic Monkeys – Marlay Park, Dublin; Saturday, July 12 Arctic Monkeys return to Ireland this Saturday to put on what’ll surely be a great show, but they’re not the only reason to head to Marlay Park this weekend. Jake Bugg, Miles Kane and Royal Blood make up the…

  • Happy Days Festival 2014

    Dedicated to the life and work of Nobel-prize winning Irish writer Samuel Beckett, Happy Days Festival returns to Enniskillen from July 31 to August 10. World-renown as one of the finest and boldest alternative festivals around, Happy Days – named after the 1961 Beckett play of the same name – will see varied theatre productions, visual art, concerts, writers and artists talks, special events and everything in between take place across Enniskillen over the eleven days. Make sure to check out the full brochure for the festival – including venues and ticket prices – here. Watch a clip of Billie Whitelaw in a performance…

  • Revival Belfast – Baptism of Fire

    Belfast has a new – if indeed any already exist – folk, punk, indie, rock & blues club in the form of Revival Belfast, taking place at McHugh’s Bar at Queen’s Square, starting from Friday, August 1. High-tops and sailor ink is not just permitted, it’s expected; so get down and party at their inaugural night. Admission is £3 and doors open at 10pm.

  • Gigs of the Week: The Bonnevilles, Darling, Light Colour Sound Festival

    As we enter the height of summer, with suspiciously good weather, there are, as always, numerous gigs to check out all over the country, whether they be outdoors blessing their good fortune, or safely indoors away from the sweltering heat. Here are just a few worth looking at. No Tomorrow: The Bonnevilles, Rhinos – Voodoo, Belfast; Saturday, July 5 The next installment of our new gig/club night No Tomorrow takes place at Belfast’s Voodoo on Saturday July 5. A garage rock duo double-header of sorts, much talked about twosome Rhinos will support one of the greatest double acts in all of the land, garage-blues…

  • Salvation Presents: DIG!

    One of the all-time great music films ‘DIG!‘ is to be screened at The Menagerie on Friday July 18 by garage/psych/shoegaze/dream-pop-oriented showrunners Salvation. The film was the winner of Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and was written, directed & produced by Ondi Timonder – who won the same award for her phenomenal documentary film We Live In Public. Compiled from seven years of footage, it charters the relationships and careers of The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre and their frontmen – Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Anton Newcombe, respectively – and how their career paths diverged for commercial, artistic, creative, personality…

  • Film Night: Some Like It Hot

    The Walled Garden of Ward Park in Bangor – accessible via entrance opposite the park’s Aurora pool – plays host to a one-off screening of Some Like It Hot on Saturday, August 23 for the Open House Bangor Festival which takes place in the town for the entirety of the month. The 1959 Billy Wilder comedy classic, starring Marilyn Monroe and the phenomenal combination of Tony Curtis & Jack Lemmon is at this point a timeless piece of pop culture history, having been listed by the American Film Institute as the country’s best comedy of all time. Tickets are available from the…

  • The Thin Air’s Massive Music Quiz @ Voodoo

    Friends, enemies and associates! On Thursday, July 3 we’ll be hosting a one-off and potentially very fun music quiz at Voodoo Belfast. There’ll be an array of lethal prizes on offer throughout the night, obligatory raffles, free giveaways and a couple of special appearances on the night.Please come down or Milky will be sad.Things kick off at 8pm, entry is £3 per person.

  • Gigs of the Week: Arcade Fire, Hands Up Who Wants To Die, Wellington Weekender

    The World Cup has proven to be quite the entertaining sporting event thus far (even if it hasn’t been very kind to England). If you can manage to pull yourself away from the spectacle, there are the usual host of gigs and festivals happening right across the country throughout the week, so let out Gigs of the Week help you out in finding the best football alternative. The Wellington Weekender: Delorentos, Girls Names, Lisa O’Neill and more – The Workman’s Club, Dublin; Friday June 27 – Sunday June 29 Well, how about this for an absolute cracker of a festival? Check…