THE ORB, Limelight, Belfast, Tomorrow It’s 25 years since The Orb rewired a movement strung out on 150bpm hardcore and warehouse raves, by adding ambient house to electronic music’s family tree. Formed by Alex Patterson […]
It’s a Girl Band thing
AT the start of January in The Star I predicted 2015 would be Girl Band’s year — but it was the safest bet going so we hardly deserve a medal. It was a bit embarrassing making […]
Gigs round-up: September 25-October 1
UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA, Whelan’s, Dublin, tomorrow Unknown Mortal Orchestra could’ve moved this to a bigger venue as it sold out ages ago, but they’ve stuck to their guns for a two feet from the front row buzz. The US/Kiwi psych-pop act are way […]
One more tune: Boxed Off closes festival season (promise)
AND here’s you thinking festival season had finally been left in Stradbally with all the leftover tents and crumpled cans — but what about one more? Boxed Off is like that extra dessert you don’t really […]
Gigs round-up: September 18-24
SLEAFORD MODS, District 8, Dublin, tomorrow. Just as we’re welcoming back Shane Meadows’ Northern misfits to our screens in This Is England 90, Sleaford Mods do away with the bittersweet baggy nostalgia to give us […]
Sven Väth: Of course I like to dance (2008 interview)
THE dreaded ‘technical difficulties’ have struck and I’ve missed a deadline for calling Sven Väth. After some last minute juggling, his people find a new slot and the interview starts with my apologies. No worries […]
Gigs round-up: September 11-17
PERC, District 8, Dublin, tomorrow. It’s a bit grim waving goodbye to summer as we wash the grass stains off our festival jeans, but District 8’s autumn/winter line-up is really taking the edge of that comedown. Over […]
Bumper to Bumper: Electric Picnic 2015
IF you’re not going to Electric Picnic, your head must be wrecked with the biggest hype-machine ever for an Irish festival. And if you’re on your way to Stradbally today, there’s no harm in gloating as you […]
House is still a Feeling: Todd Terry interview
Todd Terry is one of only a handful of producers who could call a track Real House and get away with it. His 2014 release budges up next to all those classic records about house […]
Gigs round-up: August 28-September 3
SUFJAN STEVENS, The Helix, Dublin, tonight and tomorrow. Some indie bookies are already paying out on Sufjan Stevens’ Carrie and Lowell being album of the year, and he’s bringing the record to Dublin for two […]
Outside bet: Tennent’s Vital 2015
OF ALL the cities in Ireland, Belfast is really going all out for the last hurrah of the summer. Last week tens of thousands headed to the Laganside Custom House Square for the seven Belsonic gigs, […]
Gigs round-up: August 20-26
JUNGLE BROTHERS, Sugar Club, Dublin, tonight. The Jungle Brothers are in that long list of hip-hop contenders who helped plenty of others along the way. A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul got a leg […]
Dancin’ in the street: Belsonic 2015
THERE’S nothing like a street party to change the buzz in a city — especially if the party is in the city centre and goes on for over a week. OK, we’re not saying Belsonic […]
Gigs round-up: August 13-19
TWISTED PEPPER CLOSING PARTY, Twisted Pepper, Dublin, tonight-Tomorrow. If you’ve lived in Dublin any time over the last seven years, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the Twisted Pepper on a late-night caper. And if you’re […]
Gigs round-up: August 7-13
SUMMER HOOTENANNY WEEKENDER, Pacino’s, Dublin, tonight-Sunday. Pacino’s is the smallest venue claiming to be running a three-day festival, when it’s really just a glorified weekend session, one step up from a rollover in your mate’s […]
Moo Kid 