You need a bit of nerve, confidence and ‘sure fuck it’ attitude to release music at the end of December, when everyone’s already binged on their end-of-year Listmas albums, cramming Celebrations into their mouths and […]
Tag: Swans
Interview: Author Nick Soulsby on his oral history of Swans – Sacrifice and Transcendence
For a band that inspires so much devotion and cult hyperbole, a book about Swans was always set to be a colossal task. Since the early 80s, the name Swans has been used as a […]
20 European music festivals to mark in your 2018 diary
No matter how many times we say it, talk of Irish festival fatigue is greatly exaggerated – at least where ticket sales are concerned. This week we woke up to the launch of a new […]
Irish gigs round-up
SWANS, Button Factory, Dublin, Tuesday, €25. A real Swansong here, as Michael Gira has called time on the current incarnation of the revered avant-rock act, with Dublin among the final run of shows. Swans have […]
Irish gigs round-up
THOR & FRIENDS: St Peter’s Church of Ireland, Drogheda, tonight. There isn’t a more aptly-named musician in the world than the godlike Thor Harris – one of the most revered percussionists around and the backbone […]
Rainy day woman: Laura Ann Brady – Masterpiece
The first time I heard Laura Ann Brady she was at Dublin’s Sugar Club supporting Canadian country singer Lindi Ortega, and making the headliner seem like an afterthought. Playing solo with an autoharp, the Dublin […]
An intense Swansong: The Glowing Man
The Glowing Man is Swans’ heaviest piece of music in years — a strong claim considering their infamy as one of the ugliest, most eviscerating, intense and transcendent guitar bands ever. The track is the half-hour […]
Gigs round-up: May 22-28
Fucked Up, Hangar, Dublin, tonight There’ll be tops off in Hangar tonight as Canadian hardcore act Fucked Up turn amps, heat and sweat up to 11. Led by grizzled livewire Damian Abraham — a cross between […]
‘People are awful and bloody in general’: Interview with Michael Gira of Swans
Michael Gira tells me he’s “just a little braindead”. He’s having a rare day off tour with Swans at his home in upstate New York, ears ringing as he tries to recharge for the short final […]
Full of Fire: Primavera 2013, day two
A bit of customary second day dilly-dallying means we miss a lot of the hipster Beyoncé, aka Mrs Carter’s little sister Solange at the Pitchfork Stage. Like Jessie Ware on the same stage the previous […]
Millions and millions of stars in your eyes: Swans in Manchester
Swans’ leader Michael Gira once said the band’s mission is to fuck your insides, in “that deep sex death place in your stomach”. The band’s live reputation is a mix of urban myth and early-80s […]
Primavera round-up: Einstürzende Neubauten, Swans
Einstürzende Neubauten (Ray Ban Stage, Saturday) On paper, Einstürzende Neubauten really do have the least desirable slot of the whole weekend. A certain team in blue and maroon are doing a job on Manchester United […]
Moo Kid 