• Irish Tracks of the Week – 18th October

    October 18, 2024 - By 

    Dive into the best Irish sounds of the week—Silverbacks lead with their incredible third LP, plus essential new music from AM Shanley, Pippa Molony, AOIBHA, J SHIELDS, and more. Silverbacks – Easy Being a Winner Easy Being A Winner by Silverbacks AM Shanley – You Really Have Me You Really Have Me by AM Shanley Pippa Molony feat. Rory Sweeney – St. John’s AOIBHA – Little While Ago Little While Ago by AOIBHA J SHIELDS – Evergreen A Lazarus Soul – Wilderflowers EP Lucy Gaffney – moments gotten away Proper Micro NV – Microsaurus MANA – Nauseating Me HousePlants –…

  • Output Belfast Announced 2024 Panel Line-Up

    October 16, 2024 - By 

    The full panel line-up for Output Belfast 2024 has been revealed, set to be a major part of this year’s Sound of Belfast, which runs from 7th to 17th November. Over the last few years, Output has underscored its status as Ireland’s largest one-day music conference and showcase, presented by Belfast City Council/Belfast City of Music and curated by Score Draw Music. The conference will feature over 30 workshops, panels, masterclasses, and talks, offering a comprehensive view of today’s industry. Spanning everything from creative skills like songwriting, production, and performance to essential business topics such as management, marketing, and industry…

  • Artifacts Trio at Black Box, Belfast

    October 16, 2024 - By 

    Moving On Music, Belfast’s undisputed champions of boundary-pushing sounds, are set to present one of the most exciting jazz acts of our time, Artifacts Trio, at the Black Box on Wednesday, 16th October. The all-star trio – flutist Nicole Mitchell, cellist Tomeka Reid, and drummer Mike Reed – are lauded torchbearers of Chicago’s storied jazz scene, carrying the influential legacy of The Art Ensemble of Chicago and the Association for the Advancement of Creative Music (AACM), a pioneering organisation founded in 1965. Artifacts Trio take AACM’s mantra of “Ancient to the Future” to heart, weaving African American cultural traditions into…

  • Sweden the Deal: An Interview with Olov Johansson of Väsen

    October 16, 2024 - By 

    This Sunday, 20th October, Swedish folk royalty, Olov Johansson and Mikael Marin, better known as Väsen, will make their much-anticipated return to Belfast as part of this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival. Revered for their captivating blend of new and traditional folk music, Väsen’s one-off show will feature a special suite by composer Chris Corrigan, crafted for nyckelharpa, electric viola and live electronics. It’s set to take place in the unique immersive sound environment of SARC’s Sonic Laboratory, offering a dynamic experience for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Ahead of the performance, Brian Coney had the chance to speak…

  • Rhythm and Resistance: An Interview with Les Amazones d’Afrique

    October 18, 2024 - By 

    Les Amazones d’Afrique are no strangers to facing down convention. Fusing hypnotic West African rhythms with socially charged lyrics, the all-female collective has become a formidable force in the global music scene. Their blend of activism and artistry has always been inseparable, and with their third album, Musow Danse, they’ve created their most urgent statement yet. Set to take the stage at Mandela Hall on 28th October, their performance stands as one of the most anticipated events in this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival, promising a celebration of resilience, power and liberation. Ahead of the performance, Brian Coney chats with…

  • Monday Mixtape: AM Shanley

    October 13, 2024 - By 

    Ahead of the release of his sublime new single ‘You Really Have Me’ this Friday, 18th October, Lisburn artist AM Shanley waxes lyrical about some of his all-time favourite songs, featuring Sparklehorse, Cat Power, Quasi, Guided By Voices and more PJ Harvey – Who The Fuck (Demo) Twenty years ago this year, PJ Harvey released Uh Huh Her and my fourteen-year-old self skived school to buy it – and my world was changed. I adore everything about this song, the delivery is so playful and feral and fun. Her sludgy Drop C guitars throughout that album are just wonderful and…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 11th October

    October 11, 2024 - By 

    Delve into the very best Irish releases of the week, featuring Chalk, Ciaran Lavery, Gurriers, Proper Micro NV, Celaviedmai and more Chalk – Tell Me Ciaran Lavery – Everything Considered Ahmed, With Love. – Comma, Fullstop. Gurriers – Dipping Out Skinner – Geek Love EP Proper Micro NV – Just a Drop Celaviedmai – Cool Ya Temper (Evan Miles Remix) Pinhole – Sweet Spot Jock – Joe Duffy Wynona Bleach – I Deserve That The Ocelots – About You Rhob Cunningham – Lucy The Fae – Like Your Man