Monday, December 7, 2009

Modest Mouse Live at The Radisson, Galway, 05/12/2009 REVIEW



A cold wet miserable Saturday in Galway was the setting for the gig tonight. Modest Mouse were about to play their first of two gigs at the Radisson Blu Hotel. After being rescheduled first from Dolans Limerick to the Roisin Dubh in Galway the hotel was the final venue picked. Got there early and the hotel ballroom was a really nice setting for a gig, well on second thoughts maybe a wedding? The balcony offered an alternative to people you didn't want to brave the packed crowd huddling around the big stage set up in the back. The room stated it could hold in and around 700, im sure there was more packed in tonight.

The first band up were Scottish outfit “Frightened Rabbit”, I have been a really big fan of their second album released in 2008 “The Midnight Organ Fight”, it was great to see these guys live and what a great performance they put on. I didn’t catch the set list and if anyone did I would be grateful if you could post it up here. The first thing about their show that catches your eye , is their drummer Grant Hutchison. The guy is beyond energetic in his movements, he gives an incredible live performance. He seems to drum what three drummers would struggle with, quite amazing to watch. The band are a seriously good live band and the songs transport brilliantly on a live stage. The crowd are very well warmed up for the main act, Frightened Rabbit are currently working on a 2010 release called “The Winter of Mixed Drinks”, Hopefully they will be back on Irish soil again, for now check them out here : http://www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit



Next up the much anticipated Modest Mouse. The stage was set up for what looked like several bands, two drum kits, and a mountain of guitars, amps and percussion items. The roadie seemed to go on stage a hundred times sorting everything out, a full hour and a half went by and the crowd drew weary of waiting. Then they finally came on to much applause; it was all business by the looks of these guys and this is the way it remained all night. Very little crowd interaction apart from a few mumbles that i couldn't work out, it was just purely all about the music. 6 guys adored the large stage that suddenly became very crowded and blasted straight into “Gravity Rides Everything” from their 2000 release “The Moon & Antarctica”, The gigs set list was the talking point after the gig, Ill be honest my favorite album of these guys is their 2007 release “We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank”. This is rarely off the ipod and unfortunately they chose to play just two from that album, you will never guess my highlights of the night?

This set list is a Hardcore MM fans dream as they basically got a track in from all their releases down through the years even including a rarely played live song from their 1997 EP “The Fruit That Ate Itself” , 4 of the 17 songs came from old EP’s that most people im sure don’t even know of, I can only assume from the few people knowing the actual words, most of the people there that night weren’t in this Hardcore MM fan bracket as they were there to hear their big fan favourite of “Float On”, they were sorely let down as this never got played and again ill be honest I really wanted to hear it too, It is my favourite song of theirs and after every song in my head I kept playing the intro but it never got played, Initially after the gig I was very disappointed with the lack of songs from “we were dead…” and the lack of “float on” but you have to step back and realise that aside from this the songs the did play were fantastic and their sound throughout the night was amazing, they are an Incredible live act and put on an amazing live show, even though they took forever to get on stage and took forever to get back on stage for the encore, they didn’t play the song most people that paid to get in wanted and I got just two songs from my favourite album of theirs, It wont deter me from seeing them again though as the show they did put on was great and I will end up seeing Float On live one day, I am sure! Cheers for a great night!


Set List :
Gravity Rides Everything
The View
Dashboard
Dramamine
The Way Down
Autumn Beds
Bury Me With It
Cockroach
Broke
Parting of the Sensory
Whale Song
Here It Comes
Satellite Skin
Satin In A Coffin
Encore :
3rd Planet
Tiny City Made of Ashes
Wild Packs of Family Dogs



Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Albums Worth Listening to in December 09

More to Follow, Suggestions Very Welcome!!!

A Host of Events This Weekend in Limerick

More info at www.eightball.ie

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Music Snippets # 23 - Spiral Beach



Hail From :
Toronto & Ontario in Canada

Band Members :
Daniel Woodhead
Airick Woodhead
Dorian Wolf
Maddy Wilde

About :
These guys are in town this Thursday supporting the greatness that is FRED! The Canadian 4 piece will take to the stage in Dolans to showcase their brand of Kooky electric pop fun! looks like it will be a fantastic night of music and well worth the small price tag of only 13 bucks!! There are several gig reviews of Freds on the left sidebar, every gig of theirs is just brilliant and by the looks of these guys supporting it will be extra special!


GO CHECK THEM OUT HERE:

Seneca set for Home Town Gig


THE JD SET IS CALLING ALL UNSIGNED BANDS IN LIMERICK

From The Blurb :

Ireland’s longest running competition for unsigned bands, Jack Daniel’s’ The JD Set, is inviting all unsigned bands in Limerick over 18 years of age to register on the official website, www.thejdset.ie for the chance to be one of 20 bands who will be shortlisted in January 2010 to play in The JD Set heats in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford will run from February to April 2010.

Each location will host one heat featuring four live bands. One of these acts will be selected by a panel of three judges to go through to The JD Set final in The Village, Dublin next April where they will compete with four other bands for the overall prize.

As winners of The JD Set 2010, the winning band will receive advice from The JD Set Icon 2009-10, Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, Studio Time in Grouse Lodge Studios, inclusion of tracks on an official The JD Set 2010 CD on the cover of Hot Press and PR support. Previous winners of The JD Set include The Coronas, who won the competition in 2005, and The Chakras who were joint winners in 2006. Last year’s competition was won by Camogie Lovers (now known as We Cut Corners).

As The JD Set icon, Tim Burgess will return to Dublin in April to judge the final of The JD Set in The Village. Tim visited Dublin and Cork in October to meet with unsigned bands to talk about The JD Set and offer them advice based on his many successful years in the music industry.

Now entering its ninth year, The JD Set is Ireland’s longest running unsigned band competition. For more information on The JD Set seewww.thejdset.ie.


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Albums Worth Listening to in November 09

Updated!! Thanks to Ronan for the suggestion of Justin Towned Earle and what a great suggestion it is! David Rawlings first solo offerring is well worth checking out, some amazing gems in there. Also listening to The Big Pink's album a Brief history of love.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Something for the Weekend

Friday, October 23, 2009

Music Snippets # 22 - Ultan Conlon

Hail From : Galway

About :
I have in my hand the debut album from Ultan Conlon, This 10 track gem is just amazing, From start to finish this album transports you into Ultan's world. Beautiful stand out tracks such as "Bless your heart" and "The Will" just make this record so special. An Irish album that deserves to be put up in the top spot of Irish albums in 2009. The artwork seen above reminds me of Bob Dylan's 1963 album "The Freewheelin" just without the women on his arm. Maybe I have it wrong but the lack of this women in the cover transpires in the album as we hear songs such as "The Boy Without" with lines such as "It's been a long time since my heart beat for a girl,a real girl, with explosion and spark, it's been a lonely year for this boy without a city, the boy without a kiss". Ultan sparks every emotion on this album and its one record i know ill be going back to every now and then.
I had the pleasure of seeing Ultan live recently in Galway (Review Here : http://indielimerick.blogspot.com/2009/10/ollie-cole-live-upstairs-at-roisin-dubh.html ) and the tracks he played that night are all hidden in this record, Live I found them even better as he poured his soul out on stage and that raw amazing voice is just that bit better when your in the same room. I also got a copy of a 5 track live album which almost captures this beautiful rawness. I cant wait to see the next chapter in Conlons music book and I am really looking forward to seeing the guy live again. Keep on eye on this one!

GO CHECK THEM OUT HERE:

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Music Snippets # 21 - The Ralphs


Hail From : Galway

Band Members :
Jamie Ralph - Guitar/Vocals.
Conor Ralph - Lead Guitar
Brian Ruane - Bass
Leigh Ralph - Drums, Percussion.


About :
Just recently got a hold of these guys debut single (Pic Above), The four guys hailing from Tuam formed in late 2008. Several gigs later and extensive radio play sees the guys firmly on the Irish band scene. The band comprises of brothers a cousin and a best mate. This closeness can be heard on their double single, listening to other tunes on their myspace page such as "The Bus Stop" gives hints of a young sawdoctors band and something I cant quite put my finger on. Its great to hear young bands like this hard at work and ill look forward to hearing better things from the lads as the experience grows. By just listening to their tracks you can almost sense the madness that will ensue in future gigs. Best of luck to them!

GO CHECK THEM OUT HERE:

Gig News - Paul McCartney to play the 02 for Christmas

The rumours were true, Paul is set to play the 02 on the 20th of December as part of his 8 special arena shows across Europe. Its his first Irish gig in 6 years so well worth checking the guy out while you can. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday the 28th, The tickets are pricey but worth it by the sounds of the show the guy puts on. (€86.25 standing and €91.25, €126.25, €156.25 seated).