Thursday, July 30, 2009

Last Days of Death Country This Saturday

This will be a great night of music down in dolans, check these guys out before they get too big for a 6 euro cover charge. Check them out here : http://www.myspace.com/lastdaysofdeathcountry

Monday, July 27, 2009

Music Snippets # 19 - Ugly Beautiful

Hail From :
Cork Band Members : Kieran Lane - guitar, vocals Michal Falender - Drums Mick Gallagher - Bass About : This Cork three piece have had a few changes over the years since their formation in 2007. Namely a name change from Satellite Escape to Ugly Beautiful and some changes in line up of the band brings up to a new look for 2009. This year sees the band bring their debut album to the world in the form of 9 Track "Paradise". The guys describe themselves as "my bloody valentine meets smashing pumpkins, has a drink with Jeff Buckley on a bad day" Which is weirdly accurate. The album is a great listen and even though I havent caught them live yet im sure this transfers very well. Until I do see them preform ill have to be content with the album which can be purchased on itunes. Their mypace has a list of upcoming gigs and pictures, check it out below.

GO CHECK THEM OUT HERE:
http://www.myspace.com/UglyBeautiful

Bon Iver Live At The Galway Arts Festival, 23/07/2009 REVIEW & BOOTLEG

What an amazing night to be part of, The Arts Festival was in its second last night of 2009 and the Big Top was being filled up to witness Bon Iver. I found myself a spot right at the front surrounded by giddy students. The organisers came out to conduct a Guinness World Record using the crowd. I have always wanted to be in that book so was quite excited to take part; they had the whole crowd perform a bow on the count of three making us involved in the biggest bow performed in a tent! We were first treated to a superb set from Alela Diane, whose soulful alt country rock kept the crowd entertained before the big act. She was joined on stage by her Father on guitar and Alina Hardin on Backing Vocals. I got her album “To Be Still” prior to the gig and it is well worth checking out. She put on a great show and ill be looking forward to hearing more from her.
Then on came Bon Iver to much applause and screaming from the crowd and got straight down to the business at hand, as soon as the first few bars of Flume were played a silence was reached from the crowd that were almost in awe of the lyrics and sound apart from one or two who decided to talk throughout for some moronic reason. I was introduced late to Justin Vernons album "For Emma, Forever Ago" back in April 2008, Ever since then the album has been constantly in rotation. Bon Iver made it to my list of bands I must see before I die. I was really glad to tick him off the list. The gig tonight was simple flawless and a serious contender for a top ten slot in the best gigs I have ever witnessed, just the emotions that were laid out in front of us was awe inspiring. The lyrics are quite amazing and somehow come to life even more live, He spoke of his love of Ireland and Galway especially as he had lived here for four months, 8 years ago working in the eircell shop selling phones. He commented how a lot has changed, no more snackbox on shop street much to the amusement of the crowd. The set drew mainly from his debut album, playing all but two. He played all of his new E.P. Blood bank except one and played a new song Brackett, WI which can be found on the charity record “Dark Was The Night”. He also included in his set a cover of the Yo La Tengo song "I Feel Like Going Home", which was sang by his bassist Matthew McCaughan. The night had many highlights which can be seen in video form below, all are mine except wolves, here are just some of the amazing bits: The complete hush from the crowd as he got straight into Flume, The outro to Creature fear was just incredible as the Drummer Sean Carey went to work on his drum kit.The crowd singing happy birthday to the Guitarist Mike Noyce for his 22nd bday. "For Emma" got the crowd going and was just perfect with the acoustics in the tent. The crowd in general were in fine voice and were the added backing vocalists to this great performance. The crowning moment though was “Wolves”, the crowd were asked to sing a line in the song and boy did they do it justice, the roof was nearly lifted, the gig finished and I walked to the roisin dubh with the hairs on the back of my neck in shock. Bon Iver Set List : Flume Lump Sum Creature Fear Brackett,WI Skinny Love Babys Blood Bank Re: Stacks I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo Cover For Emma, Forever Ago Encore : Beach Baby Wolves (Act I and II)
Download a bootleg made up of 6 youtube ripped mp3's here :

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Mail Order Messiahs in Town this Friday

Dar Fahy & Mike Liffey Drop into town this Friday, The galway born duo bring their alt-electronic sound to the upstairs in dolans all for just 9 squid, Print off a voucher from their myspace page to get a free album to boot! Well worth a trip down. (http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=57336946&blogId=500347221)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Music Snippets # 18 - Rory

Hails From : Donegal, Kilcar
About :
Rory Gallagher played lead vocals and Bass in Irish Indie band "the revs", he is now gone the solo route. The revs had 2 top 5 albums and toured all over the place for several years but now rory has released a solo record by the name of "God Bless The Big Bang" and is back firmly on the music scene. This was hatched back in august 08 in Germany and written mainly in his now homestead Lanzarote. I had the pleasure of seeing the guy live in a bar in Lanazrote 3 years ago and again just last month in Lanzarote again. The guy plays several bars throughout the week in Puerto Del Carmen. He plays mainly covers , with a few of his own thrown into the set. The simplicity of the songs are fantastic and are instantly likable. The album is quite the gem and his years of covers have clearly influenced his sound and you can hear bands such as Ocean Colour Scene, U2, The White Stripes, The Beatles and so on creep in. The album was born out of a chance meeting of a Co.Clare man Alan Logue. Alan was holidaying in Lanzarote and offered to help get his new solo material out in the world. Rory comes from a very musical family and his dad even features in his new album playing the pedal steel guitar, brilliant job too I might add. Rory is a very friendly guy and if your in Lanzarote you should check him out, until then go buy his album. I took a few videos of his solo stuff on holidays, the visual is too dark due to the lighting in the pub but the audio is top class, check them out below. I look forward to another new album soon which by the looks of his demos on myspace will be a cracker, he starts recording this new album in Barcelona in August, Best of Luck.
GO CHECK HIM OUT HERE: http://www.rorymusic.org/home.htm

Peter Doherty To Play Galway

Just announced an Irish Tour which includes a trip up north to the Belfast's Mandela Hall on the 13th then Dublin on the 14th of October in the Academy and finally the Roisin Dubh on the 15th. This gig is part of the magical gigs run by Heineken Green Spheres. Its all free and are just the best nights of music and entertainment. I have been wanting to see this guy live ever since my ears got hold of the libertines. Its quite amazing that I witnessed Carl Barat the other half of the libertines thanks to Heineken Green Spheres last year in dolans. (Review Here http://indielimerick.blogspot.com/2008/06/dirty-pretty-things-livedolans-020608.html)
So Heineken are once again providing an awesome night down in galway this time to see the legend that is Pete Doherty. I have missed his shows several times before and now here is the opportunity. I'm off to play the libertines and wait with anticipation.
The tickets can be got through their website(www.heinekengreenspheres.ie) but wont come available until September so hold your horses awhile. Keep an eye here for more news.
From the Blurb :

After hosting many stunning performances in its debut outing at Oxegen, Heineken Green Spheres returns to wow music fans by bringing their idols to intimate settings. This time we’re heading to Galway with Peter Doherty.

PETER DOHERTY
Support: TBA
Thursday October 15th in Roisin Dubh, Galway.
Memories are still fresh of amazing performances on the Heineken Green Spheres stage at Oxegen, none more so than our previous Green Spheres' act Friendly Fires in Waterford and the next one, Peter Doherty, who has just been confirmed to play Galway in October.
Peter Doherty needs no introduction at this stage. The singer-songwriter from The Libertines and Babyshambles has made his most recent reincarnation as a solo artist with his critically acclaimed debut ‘Grace/Wastelands’ being released this spring.
Heineken Green Spheres is proud to follow up its triumphant shows in Limerick (Reverend and the Makers) and Waterford (Friendly Fires) with Peter in Galway’s legendary music venue – the Roisin Dubh. We’re painting the town ‘Green’ for one night only!
Having turned thirty in March, Doherty embarks on a new phase of his career. Continuing to defy categorisation, Peter Doherty brought producer Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur) on board and teamed up with Graham Coxon on his new album.
“I’ve always liked Coxon, it seems, and I don’t know why,” explains Doherty. “I was absolutely horrified when he said he was actually a fan of some of the things I’ve done”
‘Grace/Wastelands’ is “the sound of his heart breaking and it's beautiful” said the Observer Music Monthly. “The sense of chaos has gone, and with it the sense of naivety that pervaded his earlier works.”
Fans will have to be patient as the ticket office doesn't open until September, for further details log on to www.heinekengreenspheres.ie

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

A Worthy Cause This Saturday

Limerick Alzheimers Association presents A Shining Light this saturday in dolans. A night of bands and a trip down memory lane as legendary Termights DJ Tom Fitz will take to the decks to finish the night off. Its free in and you can make donations on the door for the charity. Here is the line up : The Brad Pit Light Orchestra Joe Brown and Gonzo Kirstin Kapelli MC Sean Maloney Followed By: Termight Klub with Tom Fitz

Wednesday, July 8, 2009