• In Review: Choice Music Prize 2014

    Now in its ninth year, perhaps the most pleasing thing about the Choice Music Prize – the undoubted impact of ten grand in a talented act’s bank account aside – is the chance to slow the pace and take a languid gander at just how much is good about the modern Irish music scene. The annual debate on those who lost out highlights encouraging depth (see Enemies, Nanu Nanu, Axis Of and God Is An Astronaut this year), and – as smaller past winners Julie Feeney, Super Extra Bonus Party, Jape and Adrian Crowley can attest – the award does…

  • Glen Hansard announces Autumn tour

    Dublin singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has announced a string of Irish and European dates across the months of October and November. Starting off on October 20 in Sligo, the tour will pass through several European cities before concluding in Dublin’s Vicar Street on November 26. The Frames frontman will stop off at Belfast’s The Mac on October 21. Oct 20: Hawkswell, Sligo Oct 21: MAC Theatre, Belfast Oct 22: Spirit Store, Dundalk Oct 24: DeBarras, Clonakilty Oct 25: Blackbird, Ballycotton Oct 26: Blessings Bar, Cavan Oct 28: Cyprus Avenue, Cork Oct 29 : Town Hall, Galway Nov 07: Moscow Hall, Moscow, Russia Nov 09: Kosmonavt Club, Saint Petersburg, Russian…