• Spiral Night Market

    October 4, 2023 - By 

    Much like the likes of, say, Letterkenny or neighbouring Dundalk, Drogheda is a textbook case of an Irish town that more than holds its own as a thriving creative community beyond the confines of our native cities. Along with the likes of independent record store Bigmoon Records and any number of forward-pushing artists (Spit, A92 and hotgirl, to name just three) McHughs functions as a vital hub in the heart of the Louth town which you will, of course, find slap-bang between unlivable late capitalist hellscapes* Belfast and Dublin. * poetic licence applied In recent years, the Cord Street institution’s…

  • Now Press Play: A Festival of Music on Film

    September 23, 2023 - By 

    Not content with programming one of the island’s most consistently rewarding annual festivals, the good people behind Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival have announced details of a new, 4-day mini-festival celebrating the inner and outer reaches of music on film. Running from 26-29 October, Now Press Play features unearthed gems, forgotten legends and grand celluloid follies, taking in some of the greatest documentaries, concert films or musical movies you’ve never seen, not to mention old favourites and new releases. Among the many highlights are Northern Irish premieres for acclaimed documentaries Syd: Have you Got it Yet – the long-awaited Syd…

  • Maija Sofia and Aoife Wolf at McHughs, Belfast

    September 14, 2023 - By 

    Choice Prize-nominated Galway singer-songwriter Maija Sofia makes her long-awaited Belfast debut at McHughs on Saturday, 30th September. Hosted by The Thin Air, the show comes off the back of the release of True Love, Sofia’s critically acclaimed second album, which was released via TULLE Collective on 1st September Four years on from her debut, Bath Time, True Love has been hailed by the likes of the Quietus. In their review, they said: “It’s about real people, alive and dead, and the power of objects, substances, time and place. It is the work of someone with an enviable talent, and it…

  • Back + Stacked: Lavery’s Belfast

    August 28, 2023 - By 

    In the ever-changing landscape of Belfast’s increasingly diverse music scene, few institutions have stood taller than Lavery’s. From its long-time home on Bradbury Place, the bar and venue has played a vital role bringing grassroots solo artists, bands, DJs, producers and a whole host of wonderfully eclectic nights to the heart of Belfast. It’s a well-established, far-reaching and carefully curated commitment that has rarely felt more locked-in. Off the back of first-rate events from the likes of local drum ‘n’ bass heroes Crilli in recent times, Lavery’s is doubling down to underscore its status as one of Belfast’s very best…

  • A Litany of Failures: Volume IV is Announced

    August 9, 2023 - By 

    Irish compilation series A Litany of Failures, which features independent acts from all corners of the island, has just announced the pre-order and tracklisting for its fourth volume.  Set for release on double vinyl and digitally on September 8th, it’s available via Bandcamp. The compilation features 22 brand new, exclusive tracks from some of our favourite acts on the island, as well as some exciting new prospects. The double vinyl set once again features artwork by Pipe & Pallet, and the first 30 pre-orders feature a bespoke print from Belfast-based artist Phantom Powered Pixels.  The Litany of Failures series aims to document the grassroots music community…

  • Festival Preview: Another Love Story 2023

    July 31, 2023 - By 

    Here’s the story: if a singular sense of belonging sits at the heart of every great summer festival experience, Another Love Story can lay claim to being masters in their (Co. Meath) field. Since its inaugural outing in 2014, the August weekender has transformed the sublime, 18th Century Killyon Manor into a cosy yet sprawling playground of first-rate music, art, conversation, food and more. Centre-stage, every time, are the people. As you walk up to the manor, tent pitched and first can cracked, a deep-set appreciation of the urge mentioned above to be one with both close friends and new faces…

  • Quarter Block Party 2023

    July 11, 2023 - By 

    Long the jewel in the gleaming crown of Cork’s annual festival calendar, Quarter Block Party makes its highly-anticipated return across 14th-16th July. Once again striking an incredible balance between supremely DIY and carefully curated, this year’s programme promises another another world-beating three days and nights across various venues in Cork. Among the many highlights on the live music front include a double bill from two long-time TTA favourites, Elaine Howley and Maija Sofia at Couglan’s, His Father’s Voice and Rose Connolly at the Green Room of Cork Opera House, a Sunwell Tapes showcase at Plugd Records and Flowers at Night and Mantua, also…

  • Richard Dawson at Empire Music Hall

    May 23, 2023 - By 

    Alright, here’s the craic: Richard Dawson isn’t just in a league of his own when it comes to trend-flattening experimental folk: he is easily one of the greatest living musical artists. He first confirmed that fact with the release of Nothing Important back in 2014, and to the contrary, it felt very important; seismic even. On that album and follow-ups Peasant and 2020, the Newcastle artist took the imprint of everything from Kenyan folk traditions and Captain Beefheart, to Sun Ra and Sufi devotional music to fathom a careening, unfuckwithable folk genius all his own. See also: last year’s sprawling opus The Ruby Cord. During that time, Dawson had few more…

  • Omni Selassi Weekender at Anseo

    May 19, 2023 - By 

    This weekend, Dublin’s soundest independent imprint and promoters Little Gem host the debut Irish shows by Swiss trio Omni Selassi. Taking over Anseo on Camden Street from Saturday 20th to Monday 22nd May, expect three evenings of top-tier experimental sounds including Little Gem Band on Saturday, Neitherman on Sunday and Feral Kittenz on Monday — plus special guests. Very accurately described by Little Gem “as Björk meets Beefheart on a NEU! trip,” delve into Omni Selassi’s catalog here and pop by Anseo this weekend. Doors are at 8pm each evening with a suggested donation of €10. What We Talk About: Omni Selassi by…

  • Dream Baby Dream at Lighthouse Cinema

    May 10, 2023 - By 

    No longer just simply one of the greatest tracks by one of the greatest acts of all time, Dream Baby Dream is one of the most downright unmissable marriages of sound and vision that you’re likely to encounter on these shores. Co-curated by Letterkenny’s Regional Cultural Centre and promoter, broadcaster and all-round champion of forward-pushing sounds Leagues O’Toole (Foggy Notions), it’s an event of new short film and live music that will take over Dublin’s Lighthouse Cinema on Thursday, 11th May. Kicking off at 7pm in Screen One, the showcase features three world-beating Irish filmmakers – Bob Gallagher, Laura Quirke and…