POSTS TAGGED : Dublin

Live Review: The Charlatans in Dublin (23/11/21)

Personally a big fan of The Charlatans, Us & Us Only still ranks as one of my favourite albums so I was delighted when Alan Brady emailed me though a review of their show in the Olympia. I have seen them live maybe six times over the years and I can’t say I ever felt short changed. Anyway, thanks to Alan for the review and how nice is it to be talking about gigs again. Take it away Alan.

What has been one of the most irritating things about the whole Corona Virus lockdown which has engulfed us in this country for the last two years? Possibly it has to be the lack of a live music gig, and the opportunity to go to a rock concert in a dark, wedged Olympia Theatre. Well the Charlatans ended that drought in superb fashion in late November, with a newly long blonde-haired Tim Burgess and co. thrilling the audience in what is surely the best music venue in Dublin.

The task of providing support for the West Midlands, England act lay at the feet of Aoife Nessa Frances, and the pop and folk Dublin songwriter duly began her set in a relaxed and leisurely manner with ‘Blow Up’ – a tune from her debut album ‘Land Of No Junction’ (2020). Maeve McKenna on the harp supplemented Frances’ singing and guitar playing, although it must be noted that the consequences were varied. The pair performed a lot of songs from Frances’ upcoming new album, which the Sallynoggin-originated singer told us won’t be released for a considerable period of time. The packed audience was enamored by her reverberating singing and guitar strumming, which firmly got the spectators in the humor for the headline act.

Enter the Charlatans – led by the strangely haired Burgess in his eccentric jumper – who were on top form from start to finish of their 23-song set. Proceedings were set in motion with a long intro to ‘Forever’, during which a very enthusiastic looking Burgess danced onstage to rapturous applause. Some of the best performed tunes were ‘Just When You’re Thinking Things Over’, ‘Can’t Get Out of Bed’, and ‘A Needs To Be Told’ – in which the steel guitar was somehow bestowed on keyboards.

Mark Collins was in superb form throughout as his riffs on songs such as ‘One To Another’ and ‘North Country Boy’ – encouraged the crowd to firmly bop – with Burgess duly egging them on to do so. Fans loudly sang along to the latter tune as those in attendance were now seriously in concert mood, and thunderous applause appropriately ensued. ‘How High’ was another ballad to see the voice-level raised around the one-hundred and sixty-six year-old venue.

‘The Blind Stagger’ built up in a slow and leisurely fashion, whilst conversely the audience was treated to an ecstatic rendition of ‘The Only One I Know’; and those present were further treated with a fantastic version of ‘ I Never Want An Easy Life’. The encore possibly encompassed the best-performed songs, as a harmonica-wielding Burgess led the way in an energetic version of ‘Impossible’, before their customary set-closer ‘Sproston Green’ – which again contained Collins displaying various burly guitar riffs – ended proceedings.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and although it’s been a tough two years for us fans of live music in Ireland, it was fantastic to see Burgess, Collins, Martin Blunt and Tony Rogers provide all at the famous Dublin Two venue with their fix of entertainment again.

Alan Brady

Nicolas Kluzek – ’95to78′

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Nicolas Kluzek is a Parisian born, Dublin-based artist and producer who’s sounds will delight – although not exclusively – the children of the night.

Kluzek’s preference and/or penchant is for downtempo, nocturnal electronic delicacies – as evidenced by late night delight and new single, ’95to78′. It is a late night chill out tune with its peaceful chimes mingling with a mix of pristine, glistening and washed sounds. Beats are precise as the production is pristine, as it sparkles with an effervescence and positive vibe. ’95to78′ the soundtrack of late night contemplative walks in suburbia where street lamps reflect and twinkle in pools of standing water afternoon a cooling, spring shower. This is a majestic track, one that washes over you with ease but also one which will leave an indelible mark on your daily disposition; for the better.

Listen to ’95to78′ below and if that is to your liking, there are more of that ilk right here.

Bad Sea – ‘Tell Me (What I Mean)’

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Dublin-based duo Bad Sea return with their glorious new single ‘Tell Me (What I Mean)’.

The stellar nature of the new track will come as no surprise to anyone who had the good fortune to get acquainted with previous, equally stunning tracks, ‘Solid Air’ & ‘I’d Want You’. The swooning new one from Bad Sea – aka Ciara Thompson and Alan Farrell – is a mix of retro Americana-tinged jangle and exquisite pop finesse. Beautifully infectious, it shuffles along a groovy drum beat stabs of guitar and impressive  pop melodies, while the soaring, scale-shifting vocal from Thompson elevate the song to new euphoric heights. ‘Tell Me (What I Mean)’ is utterly compelling craft and resembles a cross between Tennis and one Anna Calvi at the peak of their prowess.

‘Tell Me (What I Mean)’ is out now & you can listen to it & emotive double a-side companion ‘Over My Head’ below.

Bad Sea play Mistake #3 at The Hut, Phibsboro alongside Beauty Sleep & Shrug Life on Friday, March 24. Kick off @ 8pm & €6 door tax.

Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 Preview: 8 Must See Acts

 

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Hard Working Class Heroes takes place in venues across Dublin this week.

Running from Thursday, October 6th to Saturday, October 8th and it will showcase well over 100 of Ireland’s most promising emerging acts. One of HWCH’s biggest draws (and festivals of its ilk) is rambling around, seeing acts you have previously been unfamiliar with. That said, there are a couple of names that immediately jump out and come highly recommended with the much sought after BarryGruff seal of approval*.

The full line-up / stage times for Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 is here. And as always, feel free to share your own recommendations in the comments section below. *May not be much sought after.

Eoin Dolan: Thursday, 19:40 – 20:10 @ Tengu Downstairs

Galway-based singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest finds from the past 12 months. Dolan has a real flair for twinkly and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gems, with a healthy dose of Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett and Lennon/McCartney (moments) threaded through the fabric of his sound. His brand of surfy psych-pop is totally charming, entirely irresistible, easy-going and timeless. Dolan’s self-titled debut album was released last month, for a taste of that & what to expect at HWCH, check out ‘Dear Brian’; a playful blend of woozy, soothing sounds, sinuous melodies, SFA-esque synth work, giddy-pop-playfulness and reverb-drenched vocals. Not to be missed.

New Pope: Thursday, 21:40 – 22:10 @ Tengu Downstairs

Galway-based New Pope – fronted by Dave Boland – deal in truly beautiful, timeless and carefully crafted acoustic folk sounds. Passing with a whisper rather than a roar, New Pope’s songs are delivered with warmth and tenderness, as Boland’s distinctive vocal creates a warm, lush atmosphere – and an overwhelming sense of sense of nostalgia. Last year’s YOUTH EP & LP are wonderful and New Pope were excellent at Electric Picnic this year, and if that doesn’t entice you? Check out the layered, lush and beguiling beauty of ‘Love’ below:

Slow Riot: Friday, 20:10 – 20:40 @ The Hub

Limerick trio Slow Riot‘s ferocious, tense and searing post-punk, has marked them out as one of Ireland’s most promising guitar bands in sometime. Taking classic post-punk influences – Gang of Four, Television, Wire – and infusing them with more contemporary ones such as Girl Band and Future of the Left, they create an irresistible and thunderous modern take on a classic sound. Still need convincing? Check out the intense, insistent and menacing ‘Trophy Wife’ below. Peerless.

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Jamie T Announces New Album & Shares ‘Tinfoil Boy’

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Time to rejoice! Jamie T is set to return with his fourth album later in the year. Entitled Trick, it follows 2014’s Carry On The Grudge which broke a five year absence from music, and followed it with the Magnolia Melancholia EP last year.

Described as a “brave and eclectic rock/punk/reggae/rap/pop celebration that only Jamie T could make”, ahead of the album’s release on September 2nd, we’ve been afforded a glimpse at new single, ‘Tinfoil Boy’. The new cut does exactly what it says on the tin; a larey, raucous, noisy fuzzed up four-and-a-half minutes, and comes complete with a creepy-as-fuck video. Having long been one of the most enigmatic figures in British music, it’s great to have him back and firing on all cylinders. Don’t ya just love a good surprise?

He has also announced an extensive Ireland and UK tour, see those in full here, Mr. T visits Dublin for the first time in six years on September 27th, in The Olympia.

Check out ‘Tinfoil Boy’ below:

 

Door To Door Sales Will Save The Music Industry: Anderson tries selling his debut album door to door to Dubliners

 

This Friday, September 18th, Anderson will release his long-awaited debut album Patterns; self-recorded and arranged the record in a studio he built himself in the back of his garden.

The Dublin musician and songwriter has long been a firm favourite around these parts, and with good reason; his beautiful and meticulously crafted lush folk sounds, with classic ‘60s/’70s pop melodies, are simply irresistible. Unfortunately not everyone is acutely aware of Anderson’s talents, so with the album done and dusted, and in keeping with the DIY approach, he decided on a novel approach to selling his new record. Armed with vinyl copies of Patterns, Anderson took to the streets of Dublin, going door-to-door to try and sell the album to the public. The result is a heartwarming and very entertaining (and very amusing) eight minutes – and worth every second. The video is by Colm Russell, who’s also responsible for previous Anderson videos, including the wonderful ‘Patterns’ below.

Anderson is playing a special launch show in Tower Records, Dublin on Saturday, September 19th@ 1pm. He’s also playing Coughlan’s in Cork on October 9th, and the Unitarian Church in Dublin on October 16th. You can check out a snippet from when Anderson came to Newbridge, video by Stephen Connelly.

 

 

The Lost Brothers – ‘Little Angel’

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Having already released their wonderful fourth album New Songs Of Dawn and Dust this year, The Lost Brothers are seeing out 2014 in quite some style, with the release of a rather fetching charity Christmas single, ‘Little Angel’.

Beginning life as a rough demo recorded in Portland seven years ago, it remained in The Lost Brothers’ locker until inspiration hit earlier this year while crossing the Irish Sea during a rocky winter storm. Out came the guitars and the remaining verses and choruses were written in one sitting. It was recorded with Sean Coleman at Gavin Glass’s Orphan Studios in Dublin with The Frames’ Graham Hopkins recruited on drums, Michael Buckley and Ronan Dooney on brass, and Keith Farrell on bass, with The Lost Brothers taking care of vocals and guitars. The results of which are ever so good. A gentle number, adorned with a rather fuzzy festive feel, ‘Little Angel’ is filled with a glowing goodness and features the Irish duo’s distinct harmony vocals, sweet acoustic picking, pedal steel and some sumptuous brass. The B-side ‘St. Christopher’, penned on a cold night train home to Liverpool, is equally festive and all proceeds from the sale go towards UNICEF or you can donate directly.

You can check out the simply splendid ‘Little Angel’ below.