• No Foolin’ Around: An Interview with Dillon O’Brien

    December 2, 2024 - By 

    It’s under a week until Foo Laa Fest at the Ulster Sports Club – probably the strongest top-to-bottom Irish lineup Belfast has seen this year, and one that rounds up the second year of Dillon O’Brien’s music promotion, Fooligan.  Taking place on Thursday 5th December, TTA cover stars M(h)aol, Silverbacks and 2024 NI Music Prize winners Problem Patterns top of the bill, with some of the most exciting rising stars round there too. For those who don’t know Fooligan, can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to over the last while, and what drives you as…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 29th November

    November 29, 2024 - By 

    Here’s this week’s very best in new Irish music. Dive into an election special by the inimitable Acid Granny (NB: fuck Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil too), the long-awaited new LP from Hatchet Field, plus fresh tracks from Annie-Dog, Adrian Crowley, Boyfrens and more Acid Granny – Radio Paddy’s 2024 General Election Special Radio Paddy’s 2024 General Election Special by Acid Granny Hatchet Field – Gather Them Home Gather Them Home by Hatchet Field Klark Bent – Extended Play Ninety Eight Extended Play Ninety Eight by Klark Bent Annie-Dog – The Feeling in My Fignertips Adrian Crowley – Measure of…

  • Video Premiere: AM Shanley – You Really Have Me

    November 28, 2024 - By 

    As long-time fans of his craft, we’re pleased to present the premiere of the video for ‘You Really Have Me’ by Northern Irish artist AM Shanley. The October single, a sublime, heart-stung gem, is taken from his highly anticipated upcoming album American Vanilla, and has already cemented itself as one of the Irish songs of the year. The video features Shanley alongside the legendary RichyBoy, the official dancer at 2019’s Vantastival Festival in Drogheda, no less. With his unparalleled energy and passion for movement, RichyBoy has said: “RichyBoy just wants to dance dance dance! As I always say, ‘If there’s…

  • Inishowen Played Back to Itself: Notes on Inverse Field Vol. 1 – Inishowen by Deathbed Convert

    November 26, 2024 - By 

    Inverse Field Vol.1 – Inishowen by Deathbed Convert In 1812 lookouts in the hills above the Township of Urris collapsed the path through the Mamore Gap, blocking it off to revenue collectors and founding what would later become known as the Poitín Republic. After increasing taxes on whiskey to fund its wars abroad, the British occupation turned to squeeze poitín distillers, levying fines that displaced whole communities as a form of collective punishment. When the people of Urris blocked the road up by St Eigne’s Well they mounted a resistance that would hold off attackers for three years and let…

  • In Photos: Quiet Lights 2024

    November 25, 2024 - By 

    Quiet Lights festival returned to Cork this year across various venues, featuring live performances from Lisa Hannigan, Elaine Howley, Rachael Lavelle, Morgana, The Tan Jackets and more. Photos by Erin Plaice

  • My Bloody Valentine Announce Long-Awaited Irish Return

    November 25, 2024 - By 

    It’s finally happening. My Bloody Valentine have announced their long-awaited return on home soil. Apart from a couple of sets at Electric Picnic in 2013 and 2008, the shoegaze legends last headlined Ireland 32 years ago – one year after the release of their seminal second studio album Loveless. Now, after endless rumours and speculation in the intervening years, the Kevin Shields-fronted quartet will play 3Arena in Dublin on 22nd November 2025, thanks to Foggy Notions. Tickets go on sale next Friday, 29th November at 10am. Sign up via mbv and Foggy Notions for presale access.

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – 22nd November

    November 22, 2024 - By 

    The year might be winding down but the sheer calibre of Irish music is not. Dive into brand new Ginnels, Search Results, AONAIR, The Darkling Air, Soda Blonde, and two new tracks by the sadly-missed Eoin French aka Talos alongside Atli Örvarsson Ginnels – Johnny Thunders Said / Together Johnny Thunders Said by Ginnels Search Results – Hoban Happy Hot Night (E.P.) by Search Results Talos and Atli Örvarsson – Baltimore / Matter Aonair – The Loser HART – These Days Birthday Problems – The Language of War The Darkling Air – Pandemonium Soda Blonde – The Saddest Thing ROE…

  • Raving Through the Rural Core: An Interview With Post Punk Podge

    November 21, 2024 - By 

    Post Punk Podge and the Technohippies have had another righteous year, and it’s all set to culminate in an unmissable performance at DeBarra’s in Clonakilty on 30th November. With their genre-flipping sound and raw, soul-sorting energy at its peak, the Limerick collective bring their latest album, Keep On Raving In The First World, to the island’s most iconic venue. With a singular knack for turning introspection into searing anthems, this show is sure to be as transformative as it is celebratory – a perfect way to cap off a monumental chapter for the band. Go here to buy tickets to…