Photo by Eilis Walsh Talismanic Limerick rapper Post Punk Podge has a knack for cutting through to Ireland’s most uncomfortable truths, and one day ahead of the next Irish general election, the Direct Provision system – swept under the carpet by most leading politicians – is in his scope. ‘Stuck In The System’ is a collaboration with DJ Limewire – aka Cathal of Bleeding Heart Pigeons – whose beats accompany Podge with apt clautrophobia and dissonance. As many of you know, Direct Provision is essentially this generation’s Magdalene Laundries. A system in place for over two decades, asylum seekers become institutionalised, having been given just…
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With just over three weeks to go, the final acts for this year’s Other Voices Ballina have been announced. Returning to the Co. Mayo town across February 28-29, the festival will welcome David Gray, Kildare’s JYellowl, Soda Blonde, JC Stewart and The Howl & The Hum. Joining the likes of previously announced acts including Elbow and Jesca Hoop, the acts will perform within the 225-year-old walls of St. Michael’s Church over the two days and nights. Beyond the church is the Other Voices Ballina music trail, featuring Irish acts including Joel Harkin, Murli, Shookrah, The Mary Wallopers and Squarehead. Check out…
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The Strokes are set to play Belfast. The NYC band, who return with the sixth studio album this year, will play the Waterfront Hall on February 24th. Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning (Wednesday, February 5th) at 10am. The Julian Casablancas-fronted band last played the city (and legendary Bedford Street venue Ulster Hall) back in February 2006.
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One listen to ‘Bus Lanes’ and it may comes as no surprise to discover that Dublin indie quartet Bedrooms tip their sonic hat to such luminaries such as Dinosaur Jr, Galaxie 500, Guided by Voices and Pavement. In fact, they go one further and wear the imprint of Galaxie 500 firmly on their sleeve on their new single (reader: this will never be a bad thing.) Doubling up as their third single to date – following ‘Chico’s Bodega’ and ‘Chunky’ last year – the band’s latest effort is the first of two tracks recently recorded with Daniel Fox of Girl Band. Clocking…
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Marking their first Irish shows in quite a few years, NYC dance-punk heroes The Rapture will play Belfast and Dublin in July. As well as a Selective Memory late show at Vicar Street in Dublin on Friday, July 3rd, the trio will also play the Limelight in Belfast, courtesy of Open House Festival, on Saturday, July 4th. Tickets for both dates go on sale from 9am on Friday, February 7th.
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There’s timely releases, then there’s White Water Rafting by Dublin five-piece Panik Attaks. Clocking in under 10 minutes, it’s a searing and supremely fucked-off blitz, brimming with full-blown righteous indignation aimed squarely at Varadkar and other such paltry cunts clinging to power. A pay-what-you-like release on Bandcamp, the fury and fist-clenched bombast of tracks like ‘Fear’ and ‘Fire In The Hole’ is nothing short of thrilling to behold. Have a first listen to the release – and have a first look at the video to lead single and outright EP highlight ‘The Boom Is Back ‘ below. White Water Rafting by Panik Attaks
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A few months on from pulling out all the stops for their 2019 summer party, Seoda Shows have revealed the stellar line-up for their 7th Birthday show next month. Taking place at Limerick’s Kasbah Social Club on Saturday, February 22nd, the Mary Wallopers and Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies line-up against headliners, Limerick four-piece PowPig (pictured). Admission is ridiculously affordable – a mere €10 – and doors are at 9pm.
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After ten years, Dublin five-piece SPIES have announced they are to split. Having re-emerged back in 2018 after a three-year hiatus, with the sublime Constancy in tow, the Michael Broderick-fronted band announced the news via social media today. In a statement – which also revealed that their show at Whelans on February 15th will be their last – the band said, “The five of us have had an amazing time playing music together over the last 10 years but we feel the time is right ot move on.” Read the full statement below. All the very best to the guys…
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Experimental electronic auteur Arthuritis has released his first new music of 2020, the jarringly spacious, let claustrophobic second single from his new Ornament of the World EP, ‘Left Over Seas’. The masterfully edited 3D-animated blend of the real and digital was created by Aodhagán O Riabhaigh, accompanying Arthuritis’ mesmerisingly glitch-laden work to a tee. Continuing on the conversation opened in the abstract anti-capitalistic satire of previous single ‘Condo‘, Arthur says “the single deals with the separation in our society between those in corporate business/celebrities/etc and the average person and how either could easily be in each others position. I like to try to see from other perspectives,…
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Other Voices have revealed the first 15 acts set to play the music trail of its forthcoming return to Ballina in Co. Mayo. With the likes of Elbow, Skinny Living, Denise Chaila and Jesca Hoop already announced for the second edition of Other Voices Ballina on Friday, February 28-Saturday, February 29th, pubs and venues throughout the town will play to host to the following Irish acts: All those planning to attend Other Voices Ballina can register for free in advance and exchange tickets for Festival wristbands at the Other Voices Ballina Hub.