• Radar announces first line-up of new semester

    September 4, 2013 - By 

    Radar, one of Belfast’s best weekly showcases of establishing and up-and-coming musical talent, has announced it’s first line-up of the new semester on Thursday, September 12. Marking the return of headliners, Belfast-based electronic three-piece Not Squares (above), the line-up will also feature performances from Newbridge artist Gavin Elsted AKA Adultrock and Belfast indie-rock band Go Wolf, who make their return to the Radar stage at the QUBSU Speakeasy having last graced it with presence back in mid-May. Check out the Facebook event page for the show here and check out the poster (featuring a sweet new design) below.

  • Watch: Gacys Threads – Salvation

    September 3, 2013 - By 

    Belfast progressive hardcore/metal quartet Gacys Threads have unveiled the video to their new single, ‘Salvation’. The track is taken from the band’s split 7″ with Swiss band Colossus Fall, available on clear yellow vinyl via Belfast imprint Savour Your Scene Records (founded by Gacy’s drummer Stephen Currie), French label Left Hand Records, Germany’s Incredible Noise Records and Black Lake Records, based in Scotland. Gacys Threads will launch the 7″ at Belfast’s Limelight 2 on September 7. Support on the night comes from Five Will Die, Lantern For A Gale and Tusks. Watch the video – featuring footage from the band performing…

  • The Emerald Armada announce mini-tour

    September 3, 2013 - By 

    One of Northern Ireland’s finest up-and-coming alternative folk band’s The Emerald Armada have announced details of a forthcoming mini-tour. Having been a hit at several of the country’s festivals this summer, the five-piece will kick off their tour on October 10 at Inverness venue Mad Hatters and will conclude at Voodoo, Belfast on October 26 with the launch of their new EP. Check out the full dates on the poster below and watch the video to the band’s recent single ‘I Don’t Mind’ below.

  • Watch: Savages – I Am Here

    September 3, 2013 - By 

    Having delivered an expectedly blistering performance at the tenth Electric Picnic at the weekend, London all-female post-punk quartet Savages have unveiled their video for ‘I Am Here’. Directed by Joshua Zucker-Pluda, the video employs a technique initiated by composer Alcin Lucier: recording the band’s performance, playing the performance back and recording it again, over and over and over again. “There’s a real emotional intensity to Savages’ live presence,” said Zucker-Pluda about the video. “I was interested in the idea that the band’s performance could be so powerful that it would leave a kind of psychic scar or echo within the…

  • Biffy Clyro amongst new acts announced for Arthur’s Day

    September 3, 2013 - By 

    Having headlined Reading and Leeds just last week, Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro are amongst a handful of new acts announced to play this year’s Arthur’s Day. Taking place on September 26 as always, fast-rising Dublin band Kodaline and Meath indie rock five-piece Ham Sandwich have also been added to the bill that already features legendary U.S. singer-songwriter Bobby Womack, The Script, James Vincent McMorrow, Manic Street Preachers, Emeli Sandé and Janelle Monáe. Set to take place at ticketed and surprise pub gigs right across the country, tickets go for Arthur’s Day 2013 go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday, September 4) at 9.00 via Ticketmaster…

  • Pixies release surprise EP

    September 3, 2013 - By 

    Despite losing a founding member in Kim Deal a couple of months, Pixies have released a surprise EP titled EP-1 – their first multi-track release of original material in twenty-two years. Set to be the first in a series of EPs by the Frank Black-fronted (above) band over the next year or so, the four-track release is available to purchase digitally and on vinyl here. To accompany the release, the band have also unveiled the video to its lead single, the (actually pretty good) ‘Indie Cindy’. Check out the video and the tracklisting for the release below! 1. ‘Andro Queen’ 2.…

  • Watch: The Hot Sprockets – Comin’ On

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    One of the best visual accompaniments that we have seen from an Irish band in quite some time, Dublin band The Hot Sprockets have unveiled the wonderful video for their new single, ‘Comin’ On’. A huge effort involving a case of colourful extras, the video was shot in one take by Little Beast Films at the rather beautiful Hazel Hatch House. The single itself is set for official release on September 20. Watch the video below!

  • Stream: Safe Ships – Safest of Ships

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    Recorded, mixed and mastered by Lee McMahon, Belfast-based punk quartet Safe Ships have released a brand new track, the ever-so-slightly self-referential ‘Safest of Ships’. The song is the b-side to the band’s forthcoming new single ‘Fighting Fit’, which will be launched on Wednesday, October 2 at Belfast’s Voodoo. Support on the night comes from Past Victories, Bellos and Tied To Machines. Go here for more info. Stream the rollicking ‘Safest of Ships’ via Bandcamp below.

  • Stream: September Girls – Ships

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    Set for release on September 7 for Cassette Store Day, Dublin noise-pop band September Girls are streaming their new single ‘Ships’. The band’s hand-crafted cassette will be available to buy from the Haus of PINS website for £5 from the date of release. September Girls play Distillation 04 at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre on Friday, September 20 alongside Sea Pinks and Affleck. Stream ‘Ships’ via Soundcloud below.

  • Album stream: God Is An Astronaut – Origins

    August 29, 2013 - By 

    Co. Wicklow post-rock band God Is An Astronaut are streaming their sixth studio album, Origins, via Bandcamp. Their first album as a five-piece the album “cements their place as one of the world’s most intense, musically – and visually – inventive post rock bands”. It also sees the Torsten Kinsella-fronted band’s return to Rocket Girl Records, who released their debut album back in 2005. Check out the band’s new video for ‘Reverse World’ and stream/buy Origins below.