• Irish Tour: Battles

    August 18, 2016 - By 

    Roisin Dubh, Galway The last time Battles played in the Roisin Dubh was in 2007, just after the release of their first LP Mirrored and just preceding the colossal cult acclaim of tracks ‘Atlas’ and ‘Tonto’. In the years since then that cult following has expanded and expanded, giving the band a listenership that extends to younger Math-Rock devotees, fans of experimental contemporary composers like Steve Reich, blow-ins from the band member’s old groups (Don Caballero, Helmet, Lynx) and, well, people that just like the way they sound. On a Monday evening in August the curious universal appeal of such…

  • Irish Tour: Jeffrey Lewis & Los Bolts

    May 4, 2016 - By 

    With his most excellent band Los Bolts in tow, New York cult anti-folk singer-songwriter and (amazing) comic book artist Jeffrey Lewis zipped across the country last week for a string of dates with support from the likes of Shrug Life and Junk Drawer. Our photographers Sara Marsden and Aidan Kelly Murphy weren’t far away. McHugh’s, Belfast by Sara Marsden Whelans, Dublin by Aidan Kelly Murphy

  • Lisa Hannigan Announces Irish Dates

    April 11, 2016 - By 

    In which she will preview songs from her forthcoming, highly-anticipated third studio album, Lisa Hannigan will play a string of 16 Irish dates this June. Kicking off at Kildare’s Riverbank Theatre on June 2 and culminating at Galway’s Roisin Dubh 23 days later on June 24 the tour will mark Hannigan’s first Irish dates since 2012. Check them our in full below. Tickets for all dates – featuring support from Ye Vagabonds – go on sale on Wednesday, April 13 at 9am. In which she will preview songs from her forthcoming, highly-anticipated third studio album, Lisa Hannigan will play a…

  • Irish Tour: Wolf Alice & Spies

    March 8, 2016 - By 

    Having released their Mercury Prize-nominated debut My Love Is Cool last year, London alt-rock quartet Wolf Alice stopped at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre & Belfast’s Mandela Hall at the weekend. Support came from Spies. Photos by Aaron Corr & Alan Maguire. Olympia Theatre, Dublin by Aaron Corr Mandela Hall, Belfast by Alan Maguire

  • Irish Tour: Soulfly

    February 4, 2016 - By 

    Fresh from the release of their tenth studio album, Archangel, Max Cavalera’s Soulfly rolled into Ireland this week for shows at Dublin’s Academy and Belfast’s Limelight 2. Limelight 2, Belfast Photos by Liam Kielt Wednesday, February 3 saw many people disregard the fact that it was a school night to venture out and witness a legend in action in the form of metal icon Max Cavalera. Belfast’s Limelight 2 hosted what turned out to be quite the family affair, with several of Cavalera’s offspring also performing. In first support slot was Lody Kong featuring sons Zyon on drums and Igor Jnr…

  • Irish Tour: Villagers w/ Somerville

    February 1, 2016 - By 

    With support from Somerville, Villagers enthralled Dublin’s Vicar Street and Galway’s Black Box Theatre on Thursday and Friday night. Words by Eoin Murray. Photos by Mark Earley and Vincent Hughes. Vicar Street, Dublin Photos by Mark Earley Black Box Theatre, Galway Photos by Vincent Hughes On a freezing Friday night in January when the pelting rain hurts your face there are few things that will warm your body and toast your soul more than hearing a collection of masterfully constructed folk songs that manage to maintain an emotional, poetic rawness despite the very professional polish.  Tonight’s sold out show by in Galway’s…

  • Irish Tour: John Grant

    February 1, 2016 - By 

    With words by Ross Thompson and photos from Alan Maguire and Sean McCormack, we capture the very mighty John Grant at Belfast’s Mandela Hall and Galway’s Seapoint. Mandela Hall, Belfast Photos by Alan Maguire John Grant is, to put it bluntly, as cool as all get out. Whether crooning over torch ballads or getting his proverbial freak on to big-boned electro, he plays the showman with consummate ease. Each of the mantles fit him equally well, thanks in no small part to his not only the appeal of his soaring, velvety voice but also his natural charm. Following support Icelandic multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter…

  • Irish Tour: East India Youth

    January 25, 2016 - By 

    In the latest installment of Irish Tour, we capture William Doyle AKA East India Youth at Belfast’s Black Box and Dublin’s Button Factory. Words by Cathal McBride, photos by Ruth Kelly and Isabel Thomas. The Black Box, Belfast Photos by Ruth Kelly It’s been a busy couple of years for William Doyle, better known as East India Youth. First his 2014 debut LP Total Strife Forever gets nominated for the Mercury Prize, then he signs with XL to release follow up Culture Of Volume little more than a year later to similar levels of acclaim, all while constantly touring in…

  • Irish Tour: Ash

    December 22, 2015 - By 

    In the latest installment of Irish Tour, we go on the road to capture NI alt-rock royalty Ash in Dublin, Galway and Belfast. Words by Conor Callanan, photos by Isabel Thomas, Sean McCormack and Alan Maguire. Olympia Theatre, Dublin It’s hard to believe that Downpatrick’s favourite sons Ash have reached the twenty-third year of their career. It doesn’t seem all that long ago when the teenage trio of Tim Wheeler, Rick McMurray and Mark Hamilton appeared on Top of the Pops, had some of their earliest tracks appear in US movies, and got to record a live album in one of Australia’s…