• Hard Working Class Heroes 2015 – Saturday

    October 8, 2015 - By 

    ‘It’s better to burn out than to fade away,’ said the now sixty-nine year old Neil Young. So maybe it’s not such a bad thing that the HWCH schedule, on paper at least, looks like it wants to wind down rather than go out with a bang. But though it may not have the head whipping allure of the first two nights there’s still certainly enough to justify hitting those streets. Take Sinead White for example, surely a rising star, but even her to the point, uncluttered song writing cannot conjure a crowd out of thin air. It’s a problem…

  • Irish Tour: Weird Al Yankovic

    October 8, 2015 - By 

    Vicar Street, Dublin Weird ‘Al’ Yankovic doesn’t really make sense. A parody artist, whose satirical swipes at popular culture have mostly revolved around food, who has somehow not only managed to survive over 30 years in the business and score a number 1 album on the billboard charts, but has also been a constant presence in a plethora of cultural touchstones. Although he is mostly a fringe player or is the butt of a joke. How has someone like Al managed to survived longer than probably 80% of the groups he has pastiched? If last night’s performance in Vicar Street…

  • Bell X1 @ The Opera House, Cork

    October 7, 2015 - By 

    There’s an atmosphere of excitement through Cork Opera House when Dublin indie pop heroes Bell X1 take to the stage before a sold out Saturday night audience. Frontman Paul Noonan and his talented bandmates have always inspired a devoted fanbase with their accessible yet mildly obtuse indie rock and their crossover appeal is highly apparent in the eclectic set of gig-goers waiting on baited breath for the band. This is a particularly anticipated evening due to the acoustic nature of the show, a special chance to see one of Ireland’s most entertaining live acts completely stripped back. The show succeeds…

  • Ensemble Music First Birthday Party

    September 29, 2015 - By 

    Simon Bird, Conor Walsh, Dublin Laptop Orchestra and Loah were amongst the acts who performed at Ensemble Music’s first birthday at Dublin’s Freemason’s Hall at the weekend. Our photographer Melanie Mullan was there to capture the night.