The Mercury Prize 2010 Nominations

Fantastic news that Villagers are included in the 2010 nominations. Conor O'Brien makes it the 7th nomination from Ireland following Lisa hannigan's inclusion last year for Sea Sew. We have always harped on about how great this guy is on indielimerick and the new album has caught on like wild fire! Fingers crossed for the guy! Here is the rest of the hopefuls: Biffy Clyro “Only Revolutions” Corinne Bailey Rae “The Sea” Dizzee Rascal “Tongue N’ Cheek” Kit Downes Trio “Golden" Foals “Total Life Forever” I Am Kloot “Sky At Night" Laura Marling “I Speak Because I Can” Mumford And Sons “Sigh No More” Paul Weller “Wake Up The Nation” Villagers “Becoming A Jackal” Wild Beasts “Two Dancers” The xx “xx”

Johnny Flynn to Play Limerick This September

Really enjoying Johnny Flynn's new album "Been Listening", Headed over to his myspace and saw he is playing the Jean Monet Theatre in The University of Limerick, Strange coincidence. Such a great place to see an act as the small lecture hall lets you practically sit alongside the artists, adding a superb intimate setting. Saw Lisa Hannigan play there back in September 2008 (Review Here) I first heard of this guy doing a rendition of the Beatles Rocky Raccoon on the Beatles white album recovered done by Uncut magazine back in September 2008, Meant to check him out long before now but I guess better late than never. The new release by johnny Fynn is brilliant from the first track to the last, Outstanding tracks such as the water keep you coming back for more and more. Flynn's album is a must listen , so head over on to his myspace page here http://www.myspace.com/johnnyflynn. He plays UL on the 22nd of September, I Look forward to it! Johnny Flynn - Been Listening by cooperativemusicuk

Bellx1 Acoustic in Limerick this November

Bellx1 have just announced a string of acoustic gigs in Ireland for this coming November. The lads will take to the brilliant St.Johns Church which last saw Lisa Hannigan play there in August 2009 (My Review Here). November 19th will see Bellx1 back in Limerick after their two night sell out shows in dolans back in March 2009 (My Review Here).

The venue will be a superb setting for this brilliant live band, Tickets go on sale on the 15th of July from ticketmaster.

For more info check out www.bellx1.com

Protobaby & Secret Police Double Header at Dolans

Two major Limerick bands are set to start their nationwide tour in Dolans at the end of this month. They have decided to pool their talents together and hit the road. The 24th of July will see both bands take to the stage plus another Limerick band as support "Falling Planes", 3 Limerick bands in the one night! I have been hearing great things from secret police and know well how great a show Protobaby can put on , check out here and here for previous reviews.

Check the lads myspaces out below , Its sure to be a great night of music, all for the tiny sum of 8 euro, Not to be missed! http://www.myspace.com/thesecretpolice http://www.myspace.com/protobaby

Bob Dylan ,Thomond Park , Limerick 04/07/10 Review

I drew up a list on this blog back in 2008 listing all the bands and artists I have to see before I die, Bob Dylan was listed here and alongside his name said “Too Many Wasted Opportunities” , That was true due to bad timing, Money and the trek to Dublin. So with the announcement that he was to play in the o2 last year I jumped at the opportunity. I never ever guessed I would see Dylan headlining my local rugby ground the following year! What an amazing act to come to your hometown and the billing of the amazing support bands made it even sweeter. I bought my tickets the very day they were released, Havent been to a gig in Thomond park yet major reasons being Elton John , Rod Stewart and Pink! And was really looking forward to seeing how thomond holds up to a music concert. Having a season ticket for Munster rugby it will be strange to see this stadium in a completely different light. Bob’s live appearances over the last few years on this never ending tour have been critised over and over again. While I completely understand these criticisms and agree on most of the points such as his lack of interaction with the crowd and his voice deterioration and versions of his songs gone beyond recognition. My final thoughts after seeing him in the 02 last year (Review) was that its amazing to be in the same room as the genius that more or less sound tracked generations, while the voice is gone and he has moved into this jazz up realm of playing his classics, you can’t but enjoy watching his every move and enjoy the show. I am really hoping for the same tonight, first things first a whole day of great support bands. Strolling from my house out to the rugby ground, I can’t believe we don’t have to drive all the way to Dublin or further afield to witness one of the greatest acts ever. Strange to be walking out onto the hallowed turf as the place is nicely packed with people all huddled around the stage in the middle of the pitch with the over shadowing stadium on either side, I presume the stage is positioned like this due to the lack of ticket sales, I find out later that the crowd is in the region of 15,000 the smallest attendance to these stadium gigs. I arrived late so unfortunately I completely missed the local band last days of death country. Sorry guys! Alabama 3 are on stage as I make my way over and they are clearly in great form with a huge sound and the crowd look like they are have fun watching these guys do their thing, Amazingly powerful backing vocals and a serious band backing in the guys of the dance crazy Larry Love and the Reverend. Next up is the delightful Seasick Steve, Fantastic swamp blues with the instantly likably foot tapping beats. This guy knows how to enjoy himself now armed with a drummer with a suitable brilliant look. He sits down and plays his crazy guitars from the 2 stringed electric, 3 stringed device with a two by four as a neck and two hub caps stuck together with a broom handle coming out the top and it all sound brilliant, Its my second time to catch this act and he gets better has he goes, If you haven’t witnessed this guy , do! . Last support act up at which what now feels like a small festival vibe is “David Gray”, We have all gone through the “White Ladder” phase and why wouldn’t we, the album is immense. I have witnessed the guy twice before in the years where I was still infatuated with everything he has released, In recent years albums have come and gone with no great Grá from me. It seems strange that he was put on the bill for the Dylan show and the crowd never really got into it, however what it did play sounded great and it was nice to relive the classic songs such as “Sail Away”. Really enjoyed his homage to Phil lynott during “This Years Love” where he slotted “The Boys are back in Town” into the same air. Enjoyable to see him again and would catch again hopefully with a full set indoors. David Gray Setlist: Fugitive Sail Away The One I Love This Years Love (excerpt from The Boys Are Back In Town) The Other Side Please Forgive Me Babylon The stage is being set-up for Dylan and I notice the Oscar he won for Best Original Song for Things Have Changed in 2001 sitting on top of his piano once gain after last seeing it in the O2 the year previous. The black suited Dylan arrives on stage surrounding by his well suited backing band, They lashed into the 18 strong set full of classic Dylan tunes with a backing band that sounded amazing throughout, As usual their was no crowd interaction and the voice is gone and some of the tracks are far from recognisable but that’s Bob Dylan on stage in my home town, Worth it alone for that privilege. The guy is on a Never ending tour since 1988 and plays in and around one hundred gigs a year, just to witness him in the same room is worth the ticket. Dylan on the 4th of July in Limerick doesnt get much better. What I said after watching last year still stands: “It was quite amazing to see such a living legend on stage and play the songs that have shaped music history. Just to share a room with the man was a joy but to hear him play such a great set was a privilege.” He seemed more upbeat than the gig in dublin and was fantastic to seem him live again, Doubt ill be doing any more millage to catch him live but if he plays 10 minutes from my house I will. Thomond is a great setting for a gig and hope to see a lot more big acts playing there soon. Bob Dylan Setlist: Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat Lay, Lady, Lay Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues Just Like A Woman Beyond Here Lies Nothin' Tangled Up In Blue Rollin' And Tumblin' Tryin' To Get To Heaven Cold Irons Bound Love Sick Highway 61 Revisited Workingman's Blues #2 Thunder On The Mountain Ballad Of A Thin Man Like A Rolling Stone I Feel A Change Comin' On Jolene Blowin' In The Wind

Albums Worth Checking Out This July

L-R Fiach - So i Tired Pony - The Place We Ran From R.S.A.G.- Be it Right or Wrong I Am Kloot Sky At Night Cherry Ghost - Beneath This Burning Shoreline We Should Be Dead - Dreamstate Keith Mullins - The Great Atlantic Goldhawks - Trick Of Light Suggestions very welcome!

The Cranberries Live at The Marquee, Cork 30/06/2010 SetList

Would have loved to catch these local guys live down in Cork last night, Anywho heres their impressive Set : 1.Analyse 2.Animal Instinct 3.How 4.Ordinary Day 5.Linger 6.Wanted 7.Just My Imagination 8.When You're Gone 9.Switch Off the Moment 10.Desperate Andy 11.Time Is Ticking Out 12.I Can't Be With You 13.Ode to My Family 14.Free to Decide 15.Salvation 16.Ridiculous Thoughts 17.Zombie Encore: 18.Empty 19.Still Can't... 20.Promises 21.Dreams