• Picture This: Your National Visual Arts Guide – Retrospective Viewpoints

    May 27, 2016 - By 

    Merlin James, Fence, 2002 The themes of retrospectives and viewpoints, in terms of personal, institutional and national culture, resonate in the shows from Dublin, Carlow and Limerick chosen in this edition of Picture This. In Dublin, Temple Bar Gallery + Studios’ latest exhibition looks at the last 100 years history of Trinity College and casts a light on some of the institution’s lesser known fables. A more critical look at the role of educational institutions can be found in Limerick and Ormston House, this show also looks at the cultural appropriation of languages in Ireland and further afield. Cultural appropriation…

  • Rave New World (27/05)

    May 27, 2016 - By 

    Aidan Hanratty and Antoin Lindsay return with the best electronic gigs, tracks and mixes of the week. Gigs Shit Robot Album Launch at Bar Tengu, Dublin Saturday 28 May Dubliner Shit Robot has a new album on DFA, and to celebrate its release there’s a party in Tengu (which is host to all the best parties in Dublin right now, funny that). Previous collaborators Alexis Taylor and Nancy Whang both feature on What Follows, as does local lad New Jackson, who’s going to be DJing tomorrow night. Sure to be a partyyyyy. AH Julia Kent + David Donohoe, Freemasons’ Hall,…

  • Preview: The Undertones @ The BBC

    May 27, 2016 - By 

    Having formed in Derry in 1976, it’s a fact universally acknowledged that The Undertones have spent the last 40 years establishing and re-establishing themselves as one of the country’s most treasured acts. With their equally enduring legacy, back catalogue and inimitable charm, the band have just marked the milestone by recording a special live show for BBC Radio Ulster in front of a live studio audience at Blackstaff in Belfast. Hosted by Stephen McCauley, the resulting one-hour programme – set to broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle at 3pm on Monday afternoon – is a perfect distillation of why the band are still a homegrown live proposition at the peak of…

  • Hyperbolex with Ray Wingnut: We Are The Migrants

    May 25, 2016 - By 

    A few months back I had an idea for a radio piece. It was an odd one but I had ample inspiration to follow through on it. The subject was a little tricky to talk about and I didn’t take it on lightly. If anything I concerned myself with how to treat the subject. I knew that I needed to get the tone right and the discussion open-ended. The piece is about Irish music created by a generation of so-called ‘new migrants‘. I guess my personal inspiration was no mystery. I have been a huge admirer of groups like Bisect,…

  • The Black Box: Celebrating 10 Years at the Heart of Belfast Culture

    May 23, 2016 - By 

    Although initially intended as a mere short term project, over the past ten years, the Black Box has established itself as Belfast’s cultural hub, right at the centre of the thriving Cathedral Quarter. No other venue here dedicates itself to such a wide remit of music, comedy, theatre, film, art, literature and spoken word, both international and homegrown. As it celebrates its tenth birthday, it would seem fitting to recollect its most memorable events, but there are really too many to recall – though the staggering list of names who’ve passed through the venue’s doors include the likes of Tim…

  • “You’re Tearing Me Apart Lisa!?!”: How Not To Make A Music Video

    May 23, 2016 - By 

    Citóg Records is a relatively new indie label based out of Galway City. Being involved with Citóg Records is something I hold and respect dearly. Unlike other traditional labels, Citóg Records is a collective of West of Ireland musicians who have come together under an imprint to share their knowledge, experience and ideas with one another. In my opinion, they have become a type of resource that every artist in this country could do with being a part of, regardless of one’s artistic discipline or strength in the industry. It is something I wish I was more a part of…

  • Rave New World (20/05)

    May 20, 2016 - By 

    Aidan Hanratty looks at the week’s best gigs, tracks, mixes and releases. Gigs Shivers with Leon Vynehall (3 hr set) at Electric Garden & Theatre, Galway Friday 20 May Fresh from the release of his album Rojus on Running Back, joyous house guru Leon Vynehall comes to Galway for a lengthy set at Shivers. These guys are getting some seriously good bookings, so we’re glad to see this party taking off. AVA/TNI/BMC Pres Dekmantel Soundsystem at Aether & Echo, Belfast Saturday 21 May AVA is just around the corner, and The Night Institute and Belfast Music Club are coming together to host the Dekmantel…

  • Festival Preview: AVA Festival 2016

    May 17, 2016 - By 

    Having had an unforgettable inaugural outing last year (you can check out our review right here) Belfast electronic festival AVA will return to T13 on Saturday, June 4 with the very solid aim of celebrating and nurturing talent from across the length and breadth of the country. With just over one month left to this year’s festival – which also features much more than just live sets – TTA’s resident electronic savants Aidan Hanratty and Antoin Lindsay have banged heads to produce the following preview, featuring all confirmed artists performing at this year’s festival. Go here to buy tickets to this year’s AVA Festival. Check out…

  • AAA: Two Nights with HamsandwicH

    May 17, 2016 - By 

    HamsandwicH played two back to back nights at the Academy in Dublin at the weekend and our photographer Pedro Giaquinto had full access. Here’s what he had to say about his experience: If I had to gather all the adjectives in existence to describe the two full nights I shared with HamsandwicH at The Academy, they wouldn’t be enough. It was awesome to follow these guys through whole process, from the load-in of their equipment, the stage preparation, sound check, and the moments before they appeared on the stage. Both nights ended with confetti canons and balloons which had myself and the audience enthralled. I believe HamsandwicH…

  • The Mighty Stef: Last Tour

    May 16, 2016 - By 

    After ten incredible years and four critically-acclaimed albums, Dublin rockers The Mighty Stef called it a day last week with a string of fittingly unforgettable Irish shows. AAA photos by Ste Murray at Dublin’s Button Factory and Mickey Rooney at Sandino’s in Derry.        Mickey Rooney Sandino’s, Derry Ste Murray The Button Factory, Dublin