• Alabama 3 – Mandela Hall, Belfast

    July 2, 2013 - By 

    It has been an interesting time for Belfast in terms of some of the gigs hosted here in the last couple of weeks. The Breeders entertained Limelight recently, with Kim Deal announcing her departure from the Pixies the day before. Now it is the turn of Alabama 3, who are playing at the Mandela Hall just a few days after the death of James Gandolfini, star of the Sopranos, which helped introduce the band to millions by using their song in the credits. But before we experience the diverse palette of Alabama 3, it is up to the last minute…

  • The xx, Mount Kimbie – The Waterfront, Belfast

    June 28, 2013 - By 

    Throughout the course of The xx‘s show in The Waterfront we are informed that, given the city is the birthplace of Romy Madley Croft’s father, Belfast is a place that is close to the hearts of the London trio. Despite the familial ties, tonight’s gig marks the band’s first visit to these shores since back in 2009 when they graced the stage of The Speakeasy. Back then, the sell-out crowd had gained entry for less than the cost of a round of drinks in this evening’s more salubrious surroundings and the impression was very much of a band still finding…

  • Bhi Bhiman – Black Box, Belfast

    June 26, 2013 - By 

    The Black Box’s Green Room with curtains closed and candles lit is the intimate setting as Bhi Bhiman takes to the stage looking casual, sporting the confidence of a guy enjoying plenty of praise at the moment. His first song, ‘Kimchee Line,’ gives you a pretty good idea of what Bhi is about; a sound plucked straight from his native San Francisco’s cherished old blues, and lyrics which paint a picture of destinations from around the world – in this case North Korea. Bhi has said in interviews before that he tries not to sound like someone impersonating others, at…

  • Optimus Primavera – Day Three

    June 21, 2013 - By 

      It feels like the festival’s only just begun, but the third and final day of Optimus Primavera Sound 2013 is already here. With it comes that bittersweet feeling one only gets when facing into the last day of a great festival weekend – there’s excitement for another day full of promising live shows, but also disappointment that it’s not lasting for another day at least. The only thing that can be done, though, is to make the most of the time that’s left. So, with a timetable in one hand and a beer in the other, The Thin Air sets…

  • Optimus Primavera – Day Two

    June 18, 2013 - By 

    The sun continues to bless Optimus Primavera Sound on the festival’s second day. Arriving on site in the late afternoon there’s ample time to have a cocktail from one of the stalls dotted around the Parque da Cicade before the day’s schedule begins, and with a nice strong caipirinha costing a mere €4 it would be rude not to. People-watching whilst sipping on a drink and strolling around is an oddly compelling pastime, but it’s best to conserve energy for the moment as today sees a further two stage areas opened up to the public – the ATP Stage and the…

  • The Breeders – Limelight 1, Belfast

    June 18, 2013 - By 

    Yesterday, it was announced that indie songstress par excellence Kim Deal had left boundlessly influential Boston band Pixies nine years into their reformation. This evening, she’s in town with her very own Breeders to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album, Last Splash. Nothing short of an alt-rock masterstroke, all but spanning every shade of sub-genre and sentiment, the record crystallised a supremely accomplished brand of sonic slackerdom effectively forged by Deal, her twin sister Kelley, bassist Josphine Wiggs and drummer Jim MacPhearson. As to which fact will warrant the most interest and acknowledgement from tonight’s crowd, only time will reveal.…

  • Optimus Primavera – Day One

    June 17, 2013 - By 

    Ah, festivals. Around these parts the very word conjures up images of wet weekends with wellies, mud, overpriced beer, flooded tents and a bunch of rowdy twats in the campsite who “only came here to see David Guetta.” Sure, there are more than enough decent acts to be seen, but precious few of them can stave off the sinking feeling that spreads throughout the crowd when it senses the pitter-patter of rainfall as the opening song rings out. Which is why The Thin Air has made an executive decision and flown out to the northern Portuguese city of Porto for…

  • Lau – Black Box, Belfast

    June 11, 2013 - By 

    A packed Black Box awaits the arrival of Lau, the atmosphere imbued with excitement and a sort of jovial expectancy. The band’s growing faithful are very much out in force tonight, as fervent applause greets them and the lights fade. Before long they burst into some stern, accordion laden folk. Approving glances go left and right from the guitarist at his band mates as they work their way through a pulsating opening number. The band have a good rapport with the crowd, sharing carefree quips in-between songs which are met with plenty of ironic claps and hearty giggles – particularly…

  • The Who – 02, Dublin

    June 11, 2013 - By 

    Is Quadrophenia the greatest Who album? It’s a simple question asked of a complex album, one fans have debated and will continue to do so for many a year. It’s not the most successful, nor one who’s songs turn up in Best Of… collections, but it’s certainly the last really great Who record, and the one that typifies them as an ideal more so than anything they’ve done. Pete Townshend has always been the greatest curator of The Who’s past, and with Quadrophenia he created, shaped and immortalised the Who myth once and for all. For all its flaws, it’s…

  • Malojian, Robb Murphy, Kat Hepworth – Black Box, Belfast

    June 4, 2013 - By 

    The lights dim and all of a sudden a big, yet soft voice comes from nowhere; so begins a lovely song by tonight’s first support act, Kat Hepworth, called ‘New York’. Each song that follows is just as honest and pure, the guitar finely picked, and all with a modest quirk and charm. In all, a fine start to the night’s proceedings in the Black Box. Next up, Robb Murphy and his band; their steady whimsy doffing a cap to the Lisa Hannigans of this world, they are happy to let their songs build steadily. Damien Rice meets Belle &…