GIGS
Brandon Flowers, usually the front man of Killers, remains stubbornly proud of his hometown, Las Vegas. he makes that clear when discussing his first solo album, Flamingo, which takes its name from a Sin City downtown street on which Sam’s Town is located. That’s where Flowers used to buy his records. “I grew up there, so it’s close to my heart,” … “I feel a responsibility to represent where I’m from, to defend it. It’s a place that a lot of people loathe. I can’t help but love it. I grew up with a lot of people who couldn’t wait to leave, and that was always strange to me. I feel a real connection to it. It’s in my blood.” He plays The Academy, Dublin on 22 September. Tickets. “Flamingo” is on the shelves now.
Tim Robbins and The Rogues Gallery Band (yes, THAT Tim Robbins) plays at Whelans, Dublin on 26 September with their self-titled début album coming out two days earlier. Releasing your first album at the age of 51 is a curious thing to do when you’re already a global, Oscar winning star known for your work both on the screen (Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River and Bob Roberts, where you probably first heard him sing in 1992), behind it as a director of film (Dead Man Walking, Cradle Will Rock) and theatre (1984, Embedded), but not as a musician. Robbins has long written songs and performed in small venues, but has kept it under the radar – until now. “I have too much respect for music to put out something that wasn’t coming from a genuine place.” Featuring on the album are Kate St. John, Leo Abrahams, David Coulter, Roger Eno, Rory McFarlane, Andrew Newmark and Dudley Phillips. The live performances will include Kate St. John, David Coulter, Roger Eno, Rory McFarlane, Liam Bradley, Steve Jones and Jack Pinter.
Ireland’s first International Gospel Music Festival (an initiative of Metro Éireann) aims to open up gospel music to new audiences in Ireland, and also to act as a tool to promote integration. Its on Saturday 25 September in The National Convention Centre, Dublin. Chinedu Onyejelem is the coordinator of the festival encompasses choral, rap, African, church, R’n’B and other sounds of gospel. The line up will include Dublin Gospel Choir, the Discovery Gospel Choir, the Redeemed Christian Church of God Praise Choir, Gospo Remix, Alva, Shaz Oye and more. A series of workshops will also take place.
Dublin Rockers, The Cast of Cheers have their own tour and play Wednesday 22 September in Mason’s, Derry, Friday 24 September in Stiff Kitten, Belfast, Thursday 30 September in Spirit Store, Dundalk, Tuesday 5 October in Dolan’s of Limerick, Wednesday 6 October in Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Thursday 7 October in Academy 2 Dublin and Friday 8 October in Roisin Dubh, Galway.
Hailing from York, Elliot Minor are a classically influenced five piece rock band. They infiltrated the mainstream with five Top 20 singles and their eponymously titled Top 10 album on its release in 2008. Returning a year later with their second LP Solaris, the band decided to part ways with their label and released the record independently. They play an over 14s show (No alcohol will be served. Doors: 4pm) at Dublin’s Academy on Saturday 25 September.
Dundalk based Blind Pilots formed as a quartet of sixteen year old schoolboys with aspirations of making atmospheric indie-pop with a nostalgic tinge. Now they are 21 as comparatively auld fellas at the age of 21. They released their AA single (that’s Double A I think) in The Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth, on Saturday 28 August. Following on from both positive audience reaction on the night and positive online reaction Blind Pilots have decided to make the two tracks Rosé Cheeks and Cocktail available for free for the foreseeable future.
Speaking on behalf of the band drummer Gavin Murray said “We don’t feel it right to put a price on tag an audio file which we want as many people as possible to hear. Also it’s a token of our gratitude to our fans, many of which have stood by us for a long time.”
They play Dolan’s Warehouse in Limerick, Thursday 23 September, Limerick Other acts on the bill include Codes and John Shelly & The Creatures. The event coincides with Arthur’s Day, so fun is guaranteed.
And if you want to try before you download, here they are…
The Riptide Movement (also known as TRM) are a four piece rock band who formed in 2006, all hailing from the Capital (presumably Dublin). With four successive Official Irish Charting singles, TV appearances and a handful on Radio performances on their belt, they are now ready to release fifth single ‘Hot Tramp’, which is taken from their new album set to be released in Feb 2011 (titled HOT TRAMP). They play Monday 20 September WIT with the Delorentos and the Chapters Waterford, Tuesday 21 September Cyprus Avenue “With Johnny Flynn”Cork, Wednesday 22 September UL Limerick, Thursday 23 September GMIT with Ham Sandwich and the Delorentos Galway, Friday 24 September The Courtyard Hotel Leixlip, Kildare, Tuesday 5 October University Limerick and Friday 8 October Iveagh House Dublin.
TICKETS
The soul-folk-glam ensemble from New York The Duke & The King play The Academy 2, Dublin on Tuesday 19 October ad have added dates too; on Thursday 21 October in The Set Theatre, Kilkenny and on Friday 22 October in The Sligo Live Festival, Sligo. The group founded, produced, and created by Simone Felice and Robert Bird Burke, featuring the Simi Stone and Reverend Loveday, and like any travelling theatre troupe there’s bound to be a growing cast of bewitching characters on the night.
Three iconic Irish indie bands of the 90’s are joining forces for The Reverberation Tour; the first time in 15 years that all three bands will play together on the same stage. In this triple headed show the bands will alternate nightly and promise to play only the classics such as Power of Dreams ’ “100 Ways To Kill A Love”, The Sultans of Ping’s “Where’s Me jumper” and the Frank and Walters ’ “After All”. Basically a night of barnstorming indie classics. They play Dublin’s Academy Thursday 23 December.
When Derek Nally, popular promoter, manager and raconteur, died of a heart attack in July his sudden passing sent shockwaves throughout the entire Irish music community. Derek worked with the great and the good over the years. Derek was particularly generous with his time when it came to offering advice to up and coming musicians, promoters and managers. Some of Derek’s numerous friends and associates will gather in Vicar St, Dublin on Saturday 2 October to present a fitting musical tribute to a great man entitled Songs for Derek. Artists confirmed to appear include: Howe Gelb, Bell X1 (acoustic), Mundy, Richie Egan (Jape/The Redneck Manifesto), David Kitt, The Walls, Freddie White, Tír na nÓg and James Vincent McMorrow. All proceeds will be donated to the Nally family.
Detroit’s disco-rock-stars Electric Six have called on Dublin’s Vengeance and The Panther Queen to join them at their Academy date on Saturday 4 December. Vengeance and The Panther Queen which comprises of half of Republic of Loose and is led by the fiery and enigmatic Tara McCormack delivered a blistering set at this year’s Electric Picnic. Electric have a 7th studio album coming out on September 28, 2010 that will be released on Metropolis Records called “Zodiac”.
To celebrate the release of their second album, Science and Faith,and their single For The First Time going straight to number 1, The Script (you know them, Dublin band, making it really, really big) have announced details of their biggest homecoming shows to date. The multi platinum selling trio will play Saturday 5 March in INEC, Kilarney, Monday 7 March in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast and on Friday 11 March in The O2 Dublin.
Belle and Sebastian play a live show at the Grand Canal Theatre December 3rd. Four and a half years after the release of The Life Pursuit - a top ten album in the UK which sold over a quarter of a million copies globally - Belle and Sebastian release their new album, Belle and Sebastian Write About Love on Rough Trade Records on 8th October 2010. Unlike its predecessors, it is an album which has come together in a relatively short period of time. After reconvening in February 2010, a period of writing and pre-production in Glasgow was followed by a trip to Los Angeles for recording with Tony Hoffer (who also produced The Life Pursuit) at the renowned Sound Factory Studio B.
ALSO PLAYING
CLARE
Friday 24 September
‘The Naked Fish Tour’ an intimate night with Jerry Fish. Glor, Ennis
DUBLIN
Monday 20 September
Roof Top Anthem, Captains Live Blanchardstown, Free admission
CONTROL – New Irish Music, The Workman’s Club, Free Admission
Tuesday 21 September
Spies and Gypsies On The Autobahn, Captains Live Blanchardstown, Free admission
Thursday 23 September
Tiny Magnetic Pets, Captains Live Blanchardstown
Tiger Cooke, Odessa, Dublin
Friday 24 September
Thread Pulls (Album Launch) The Workman’s Club with support from Logikparty
Saturday 25 September
The Hot Sprockets, Captains Live Blanchardstown
GALWAY
Monday 20 September
Keith Mullins, Rosin Dubh
Tuesday 21 September
Brendan Benson, Roisin Dubh
KERRY
Saturday 25 September
Brendan Benson, INEC, Killarney
KILKENNY
Wednesday 22 September
Jennifer Evans, Craft Centre, Kilkenny
LIMERICK
Friday 24 September
Brendan Benson, Dolan’s, Limerick.
SLIGO
Monday 20 September
Brendan Benson, Mc Garrigles
TIPPERARY
Thursday 23 September
Brendan Benson, O’Keeffes, Clonmel
WATERFORD
Saturday 25 September
‘The Naked Fish Tour’ an intimate night with Jerry Fish. The Tower, Waterford.
WEXFORD
Wednesday 22 September
‘The Naked Fish Tour’ an intimate night with Jerry Fish. The Yard, Wexford
Friday 24 September
‘The Naked Fish Tour’ an intimate night with Jerry Fish. Glor, Ennis
DUBLIN
Monday 20 September
Roof Top Anthem, Captains Live Blanchardstown, Free admission
CONTROL – New Irish Music, The Workman’s Club, Free Admission
Tuesday 21 September
Spies and Gypsies On The Autobahn, Captains Live Blanchardstown, Free admission
Thursday 23 September
Tiny Magnetic Pets, Captains Live Blanchardstown
Tiger Cooke, Odessa, Dublin
Friday 24 September
Thread Pulls (Album Launch) The Workman’s Club with support from Logik Party
Saturday 25 September
The Hot Sprockets, Captains Live Blanchardstown
GALWAY
Monday 20 September
Keith Mullins, Rosin Dubh
Tuesday 21 September
Brendan Benson, Roisin Dubh
KERRY
Saturday 25 September
Brendan Benson, INEC, Killarney
KILKENNY
Wednesday 22 September
Jennifer Evans – Craft Centre, Kilkenny
LIMERICK
Friday 24 September
Brendan Benson, Dolan’s, Limerick.
SLIGO
Monday 20 September
Brendan Benson, Mc Garrigles
TIPPERARY
Thursday 23 September
Brendan Benson, O’Keeffes, Clonmel
WATERFORD
Saturday 25 September
‘The Naked Fish Tour’ an intimate night with Jerry Fish. The Tower, Waterford.
WEXFORD
Wednesday 22 September
‘The Naked Fish Tour’ an intimate night with Jerry Fish. The Yard, Wexford