• Stendhal Festival of Art 2016 (Day One)

    August 15, 2016 - By 

    Growing stronger each year, there’s a pretence-dodging spirit about Stendhal Festival of Art that always puts creating experiences worth remembering firmly centre-stage. Tucked away in the beautiful, barley-bordered Ballymully Cottage Farm – a heart-skippingly scenic hideaway on the outskirts of Limavady – organisers have lovingly honed the many magical elements that collide to make it Northern Ireland’s most unmissable summer festival. Priding itself as much on its intimate rural setting as it does its family-friendly atmosphere – which is unparalleled – the many hidden corners of enchantment that hem the festival’s two large areas of stages, stalls and curious spaces ensures no creative stone feels left unturned. “We’re a punk band.…

  • The Beatyard 2016 (Day Two)

    August 4, 2016 - By 

    Day two of Beatyard 2016 ztarts off on a sour note as word filters through that the Daptone records’ soul maestro Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires have had to pull their main stage appearance, due to the man himself being unwell. Alas, these things happen so it is left to the organisers to switch a few things around. In relation to the same time yesterday the numbers are nowhere near as high, however Brazilian Sambo outfit Morro 16 appear on the main stage, to what is at the outset a pretty paltry number, in the hope of boosting spirits. As…

  • The Beatyard 2016 (Day One)

    August 2, 2016 - By 

    Following on from its successful debut last year, the Beatyard Festival makes a welcome return to Dún Laoghaire’s former Stena Line ferry terminal. There seems to have been a conscious decision made by the promoters, Bodytonic, to expand on the non-music related features from last year which includes: a wide variety of talks with accompanying Q&A’s, an expanded flea market, a designated gaming zone and a specific child friendly play area. The layout of the festival itself is well thought out which allows the crowd to find their way around rather effortlessly, without the fear of having to rush around…

  • Popicalia 22: Squarehead, Land Lovers & Ginnels @ Bello Bar, Dublin

    August 2, 2016 - By 

    At one stage, Popical Island’s regular Popicalia nights were such a staple of Dublin’s indie scene that Retarded Cop even wrote a song about it (found on the Popical Island #2 compilation), so its return with a stellar lineup – and an invitingly colourful poster courtesy of Ruan Van Vliet – after a 2 and a half year hiatus was always going to attract a hefty crowd to its new home in the cosy surroundings of Bello Bar. Ginnels (below) opening set sees Mark Chester add a new violinist to the lineup, adding an extra layer to the infectious indie pop…

  • God is an Astronaut @ Cyprus Avenue, Cork

    July 26, 2016 - By 

    “Is it just me guys, but do ye play venues on the continent and people’s kitchens in Ireland?” This insightful comment appeared on Wicklow post metal outfit God is an Astronaut’s Facebook page on a crowd picture taken at the tail end of their wonderful gig at Cyprus Avenue in Cork last Saturday. It is rather baffling how GIAA have somehow managed to cultivate such a substantial following in Europe and yet remain relatively unknown here at home. On the evidence of their stellar set in Cork, it is beyond clear that they are one of the most inspired and…

  • MMOTHS, Toby Kaar & Daithi @ Roisin Dubh, Galway

    July 25, 2016 - By 

    I was really looking forward to this gig. Between them, Toby Kaar, MMOTHS and Daithi released some of the most exciting Irish releases of the past twelve months, each of them showcasing the versatility and dedication that exists amongst the country’s young musicians who ditched guitars and drums for adventures into electronics. In the context of these artists’ significance to the country’s music scene, that versatility is paramount, from Toby Kaar’s disjointed, franticly emotive beats, to MMOTHS’ encompassing soundscapes, to Daithi’s infectious, melodic floor fillers. So on paper this bill looks terrific right? What I guess I forgot was that…

  • Longitude 2016: Saturday

    July 19, 2016 - By 

    The sun ushers in a sold out audience to the second day of Longitude 2016. After a Friday that was on the verge of ruin due to an over aggressive, extremely young audience, Saturday seems to have drawn a much softer crowd and it’s well needed. First off, Rejjie Snow (below) continues the hip-hop focus of the weekend with a blend of recognised tracks and new cuts. With the energy and stage presence of a performer far beyond his experience, Snow captivates his early afternoon audience. His new material has a vibrant toughness unseen before and it looks like his upcoming…

  • Longitude 2016: Friday

    July 18, 2016 - By 

    ‘None of you are Muslim, are ya?’ says the taxi driver coolly. It’s a remarkably, calmly delivered piece of xenophobia, proving that the sun even has a good effect on bigots. So though it may have made for a frosty entrance it provides a good talking point in the slow moving traffic as we make our way to the start of the flat-footed, full-blooded, bloated, banter-filled beginning of festival season proper. Because today is day one of Longitude 2016 a festival with a good reputation, an impressive line-up and the most important headliner of this year. So while sitting in…

  • Pixies w/ Bleeding Heart Pigeons @ The Marquee, Cork

    July 14, 2016 - By 

    Hands up who loves the Pixies. That’s what I thought; who doesn’t? They’re one of those bands that does not require an introduction. Suffice it to say, they pioneered the loudQUIETloud technique, Kurt Cobain admitted to ripping them off, and their combination of cacophony and bubblegum pop continues to endure and influence thirty years after their formation and twenty nine years after the release of their debut EP Come On Pilgrim. They’ve also now been back together pretty much as long as they were broken up as odd as that may seem. Since their reunion, they have had a mixed…

  • Bell X1 w/ The Academic @ Iveagh Gardens, Dublin

    July 12, 2016 - By 

    Iveagh Gardens with its tall trees and high walls offering protection from the noise and movement of the city centre location, is as close to perfect as you could get for an outdoor venue in Dublin. The layout is impeccable and its sound has always felt close and layered. It has become synonymous with Irish acts stopping in during the summer; Damien Rice, Glen Hansard and The Frames themselves have all played here in recent years. This year it is Bell x1’s turn. Following an emphatic support from the fast-rising The Academic (below), an opening combination of ‘The Great Defector’…