• Under The Drum Festival Announces First Ever Programme

    July 26, 2024 - By 

    A brand new music festival set at the foot of the County Antrim Hills, just thirty minutes from Belfast, is set to hold its first ever iteration on Saturday 28th September. Set just outside Ballyclare, it takes its name from Drumadarragh, one of the hills overlooking its intimate setting of Breckenhill. Atop the bill are NI Music Prize-winning alternative folk artists, the supremely talented Joshua Burnside and Arborist, with the likes of indie-psych quartet Junk Drawer, Galway garage punk masters Oh Boland, Derry alt-pop artist Roe, experimental rock quartet Blue Whale, Brand New Friend, Cian Nugent, London act Arliston, Susie Blue, jangle-pop master Neil Brogan, Demi O’Hara…

  • The Conncert at The Lodge, Co. Mayo

    July 2, 2024 - By 

    It’s been our decade-plus pleasure to remind readers that, beyond the bigger cities on this particular floating landmass, we are extremely fucking blessed to have myriad sound heads making it all happen for independent Irish music – very often for the love of it, above all else. Throw in the fact that what those heads are making happen is often wonderfully world-beating in quality, not to mention how it builds and supports communities where they would literally otherwise cease to exist, and we are positively consecrated with the absolute craic. Should you wish to experience the square root of this…

  • A Litany of Failures: Volume IV is Announced

    August 9, 2023 - By 

    Irish compilation series A Litany of Failures, which features independent acts from all corners of the island, has just announced the pre-order and tracklisting for its fourth volume.  Set for release on double vinyl and digitally on September 8th, it’s available via Bandcamp. The compilation features 22 brand new, exclusive tracks from some of our favourite acts on the island, as well as some exciting new prospects. The double vinyl set once again features artwork by Pipe & Pallet, and the first 30 pre-orders feature a bespoke print from Belfast-based artist Phantom Powered Pixels.  The Litany of Failures series aims to document the grassroots music community…

  • Irish Tracks of the Week – February 19th

    February 18, 2022 - By 

    This week has seen new music, and long-awaited albums from some of Ireland’s finest acts, including David Holmes, Paddy Hanna, Wallis Bird, Clara Tracey, Fontaines D.C., Sinead O’Brien, Ye Vagabonds, Paper Tigers, Dirty Dreamer, Junk Drawer & more. Paddy Hanna – New York Sidewalk New York Sidewalk by Paddy Hanna David Holmes – It’s Over if we Run out of Love It’s Over, If We Run Out Of Love by David Holmes feat. Raven Violet Clara Tracey – Harry Clarke Harry Clarke by Clara Tracey Fontaines D.C. – I Love You Sinead O’Brien – Holy Country Dirty Dreamer – Piano 39…

  • Maija Sofia, Mhaol, Pretty Happy, Elaine Malone & More Set to Perform 30th Anniversary Tribute To Nirvana’s Nevermind

    September 21, 2021 - By 

    Friday, 24th September marks the 30th anniversary of one of the finest, most essential albums in recorded music history – Nirvana’s breakthrough album Nevermind. To mark the occasion, a selection of Irish acts from across the island have come together in celebration of its release and ongoing influence, each performing their own takes on track from the album in an event which will be live-streamed this Friday. The line-up, consisting of Maija Sofia, Havvk, Alien She, Cruiser, Laurie Shaw, Junk Drawer, Uaim, Aoife Wolf, Pretty Happy, Elaine Malone, Mob Wife and Mhaol will be a combination of videos performed and recorded in Dublin venues Sin É and…

  • Monday Mixtape: Tuath

    June 21, 2021 - By 

    It’s just two days until the release of Letterkenny psych outfit Tuath’s new Research and Development EP. Frontman Robert Mulhern gives us the lowdown on some key music that has shapes both his sounds, and his outlook on music. Soccer96 – I Was Gonna Fight Fascism I hadn’t seen any lyric-addled S96, but they came out with this track “I Was Gonna Fight Fascism” last year and we just couldn’t believe that someone out there was doing sarcasm so well. We love it – the whole band couldn’t stop listening to it for months. It made lockdown much more craic. It was…

  • Moving on Music Launches Middle Aisle Music Agency and Development Project

    January 14, 2021 - By 

    One of the country’s most reliable promoters, Belfast’s Moving On Music have today launched a new music agency and development project. Working with a selection of folk, jazz, classic, trad and ‘other’ music from these shores, the aim of Middle Aisle is to “support and develop a selection of artists, introduce more ears to incredible music, and help musicians move forward in their careers.” Already, the initiative has added Arborist, Bairie, Blue Whale, Cahal Masterson, Gráinne Meyer, Jack Joseph James, Jack Warnock, Junk Drawer, Laytha, Réalta with Myles McCormack, Robocobra Quartet, Ruth McGinley, Scott Flanigan Trio, and TRÚ to its roster. Fair payment,…

  • Spilt Milk Festival Announce New Online Weekender

    November 16, 2020 - By 

    Spilt Milk, Sligo’s premier annual celebration of forward-thinking Irish independent music, have announced a new online weekender. Running from Friday November 27 to Sunday November 29, Transmission will feature sets from Jessica Bruen, The Clumsy Giantess & Trenchurion, Amanda Feery & Declan Synnott, The Hills Have Ears, Howlbux, Junk Drawer, Mhaol, Moving Still, Myles Manley, Ailbhe NicOireachtaigh, Brigid Mae Power, Pretty Happy, The Split Milk Sunday Brunch with Willie, Natalia & Rooster, Ten Past Seven band and Yop. Best of all, all events are free. Hop over to the Spilt Milk site for more info and the full schedule. Poster…

  • One of These Albums Will Win The NI Music Prize Tonight

    November 12, 2020 - By 

    Much like the RTÉ Choice Music Prize every year, the annual Northern Ireland Music Prize is almost always too close to call. This year is no different. Going online for the first time due to social distancing restrictions, this year’s shortlist is a luminous, no-filler reflection of the state of independent music in the North right now. From the Americana-tinged alt-folk of Mark McCambridge aka Arborist to the considered electronica of Phil Kieran; the shapeshifting indie rock of Belfast threesome Careerist, to the ruminative pop of Kitt Philippa, it’s a list that also features stellar albums from Our Krypton Son, Herb…