The ‘Original Bad Girl of Rock’n’Roll’, Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes are behind some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century. The 1963 hit Be My Baby was voted by Billboard as No1 […]
Declare Independence: Björk’s singular artistic vision
Björk has called her latest live show her “most elaborate staged concert to date” and the most ambitious project she’s ever conceived — strong words from one of the most singular artists working in music. […]
Lizzo: Cuz she loves you…
The first Monday in November was a predictably drizzly and grimly grey affair in Dublin, but one corner of the city was sending out all the positivity, as Lizzo became the latest figure to be […]
Giggs’ Big Bad self
After releasing his debut album in 2008, South Londoner Giggs is bordering on being considered an OG of second wave grime. Blockbuster hook-ups and features with the likes of Stormzy, Drake and M.I.A. have helped […]
Imperial Wax: When you just can’t give up
Some bands carry on great things after the death of a singer — AC/DC and Mayhem for starters, but when that singer is Mark E Smith, one of the true singular visionaries of the last […]
Daughters: May induce vomiting
Faith No More frontman Mike Patton’s label Ipecac is named after the drug that induces forceful vomiting, and hardcore noise act Daughters are one of the sickest bands on the roster. Ipecac roped in the […]
⸸ De Mysteriis Dom Mayhem ⸸
In the early 90s NWA claimed to be ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Group’, but they probably hadn’t heard of Norwegian black metal lords Mayhem. The Oslo band inspired a wave of church burnings and when […]
‘Forward for freedom!’ Laibach march on with Party Songs
When you hear that Laibach are releasing an EP called Party Songs, you’re pretty sure they’re not aiming for the kind of party that’ll be soundtracked by a cheeseball Spotify playlist. Your boss won’t be […]
A Scottish hello: The Vegan Leather – Poor Girls / Broken Boys
The final track on The Vegan Leather’s debut album is called ‘Zeitgeist’ — but Poor Girls / Broken Boys is no trend-chasing scenester cash-in record. Unlike, say Two Door Cinema Club who traded in their polite […]
Inner City interview: ‘It’s an elevated thing’
Detroit techno has always been urban music, from Juan Atkins’ deadpan technological reportage to Robert Hood’s Motor City minimalism. And when the smog gets too thick, Jeff Mills’ sci-fi and space science concepts offer a […]
Philip Glass captures life out of balance
One of the world’s great visionary composers, Philip Glass is presenting — and performing — two of his most iconic minimalist works as part of a special residency at the National Concert Hall this weekend. […]
Daithi interview: A problem shared
Electronic music has always been about specifics, but often it’s focused on the intricacies of sound design or a utilitarian blueprint for dancing. Some of the greatest electronic albums and tracks are futurist concept pieces, […]
King Kong Company: From cult band to actual cult
Over the last few years, Waterford crew King Kong Company have gone from Ireland’s biggest cult band to an actual cult — from having an afternoon mass at Electric Picnic, to posting downloadable gorilla masks […]
‘Fuck hotels’: No Surrender 2 at Bernard Shaw
The clock is ticking on the last days of Dublin clubbing, pubbing, cultural (and pizza) institution the Bernard Shaw, after the recent news that it’s closing its doors on Richmond Street South to make way […]
Pristine pop minimalism on Hiperson – Strawberries/草莓
London label Damnably has already made a big dent this year with Japanese act Otoboke Beaver and the across the board love for their hyper-visceral garage punk on debut album Itekoma Hits. Damnably is also […]
Moo Kid 