Bruce Springsteen is coming to town!

Delighted that the rumours are true! The boss will play Thomond Park on the 16th of July 2013. Tickets will go on sale on the 6th of December via ticketmaster. Great to see the venue getting such a great act on its books and I have never seen bruce play and he is on the list!

Parliament Square Reveil New Video

Excellent local band 'Parliament Square' released their new single and revealed their new video to 'Forest Fire' last night in Cobblestone Joes.
Parliament Square are a Limerick four piece fronted by Brendan Markham of past legendary local band 'The Driven'.
The band are going well and the new video looks and sounds great, looking forward to more from the band. Keep an eye on them here.

Eamonn Hehir live at Dolans , Limerick 17/11/2012 Review

A wonderful night of music, nostalgia and a night to be proud of took place in Dolans as local singer songwriter Eamonn Hehir released his new album 'The Flag Listeners' . The warehouse was packed full of a who's who's in the limerick music scene to celebrate the launch of Eamonn's second album, almost twelve years in the making since his first offering 'Blood Mill Road' back in 2000.

 

Speaking of a who's who's in the Limerick Music scene just take a look at the band for the night : Dave Keary on electric guitar , The human anchor Eoghan O'Neill on Bass , James Hanley on Keyboard , Danny Byrt on Drums and 'the Flag Listener Sisters' Jenny McMahon & Siobhan O'Brien on backing vocal duties.

Eamonn had gathered a band together for the night as most of the instruments on the album are played by Eamonn , so the lack of several hands meant needing some band members. Having assembled only for the launch night and with so little practice you would imagine a night of faults and hiccups would ensue but the band sounded like they have been playing together forever which is such a testament to their individual talents.

 

A strong twenty track set list which included all of the tracks from the new album and featured a cover of Des O'Dwyer's "Running Scared". Des was a constant member of Eamonn's groups down through the years and sadly passed away in 2010, Des features heavily throughout the new album. Running Scared featured in Des's posthumous released album 'Home James' and the band gave a fitting tribute to him on the night. The night included the album track 'Before the song was over' a beautiful haunting lament in tribute to Des.

The set also included some classic tracks from his debut album 'Blood Mill Road'. The limited album was on sale on the night and after giving it some listening over the last few days its clear its a cracking album and another gem to be added to the annuals of limerick music.

 

The band brought the album to life on the night and there is nothing like listening to live music , a highlight for me was the track 'Gates of Limbo' as Keary lashed his way throughout the guitar parts and the band were in full swing! For the encore Eamonn arrived out sans guitar to sing 'Little Man' accompanied by James Hanley , who proceeded to show off his sublime talent on piano.

Eamonn played his full back catalogue , a catalogue anyone would give their right arm for. The album gives insights to Eamonn's views on life and how he can turn a simple scenario into a masterpiece. The topics of life , love and death are all covered in his amazing style . Go out and get a copy while you can! Its hard to put into words how good a night it was and the videos below don't even do it justice. The only issue on the night was that it had to end , Cheers for an unreal night of music!

 

Set List:

Downtown

That Cold Year

Running Scared

The Angel's Share

California

Lincoln

Almost Drowning

The Master of Ceremonies

Gigs & Funerals

Dry Land

Restless Kind

White Lines

Before the Song was over

The Man on the Clapham Omnibus

Girl From the Waterfall

Things will happen

The Gates of Limbo

Encore:

Little Man

Steve Brodie Took a Chance

Joe Cocker Isn't Wanted
 

Relive most of the magic thanks to BocktheRobbers Video playlist of the night below

Bell x1 live at Dolans Limerick 15/11/2012 Review

Last night saw Bell x1 roll into town to play the opening night of a two night sold out affair in Dolan's warehouse. The warehouse was kitted out with rows and rows of seating, a first for me. The walls had posters stating that patrons turn off mobile phones and that the bar would be closed during the performance. All things lead to a night of acoustic bliss from the band.

The three members Paul Noonan , David Geraghty and Dominic Philips treated the seated crowd to a stunning performance of a full range of tracks spanning all seven of their albums.

The trio are currently on an acoustic tour much like the tour that came to St.Johns Church back in 2010 (mini review here)

The lads spoke of their fondness for Limerick and that nearly 12 years ago when the band were just starting to gig Dolans played host to one of their first. No opening act facilitated a full night of acoustic Bell x1 which was spilt into two parts with an interlude in the middle. As Paul mention far from Interludes they were rared, the banter was great throughout the night. With many of the tracks being given back stories before they began , Several covers were thrown into their existing tracks and the band were full of little surprises even throwing 'Ms Jackson' by Outkast into the mix. The night was filled with many instruments including Banjos, ukuleles and a magnificent sounding upright piano.

They played a number of new tracks so hopefully we will see a new record soon enough from the band, the new numbers sounded great so we can expect great things down the line. The final song a cover of Roy Orbinson (Bono/Edge penned) 'She's a Mystery to Me' was superb as the band stood around one mic, check out the videos below for a little snippet of a great night, Cheers!

SetList: (Order might not be right)

Part1:

Bad Skin

Velcro

Heart

Next to You

Rocky

Motorcades

Slow Set

Built

Flame

Part2:

Eve

Offshore

ABC

Nightwatchmen

Safer than love

starlings

Defector

Sunflower

Encore:

Heart

She's a Mystery to Me (Roy Orbison Cover)
 

Eamonn Hehir Releases his New Album this Saturday

No stranger to gigging dolans local singer-songwriter Eamonn Hehir is set to release his second solo album 'The Flag Listeners' this Saturday the 17th in the warehouse.

The much anticipated album has been in the making for twelve years since his first album offering 'Blood Mill Road' back in 2000 however Eamonn has been in the local music scene for a lot longer than that. The eighties saw Eamonn fronting many bands including legendary local outfit 'Toucandance' and is still a regular on the live music scene around town.

Eamonn appeared on last years limerick compilation album 'The New Reindeer Age' with a track entitled 'Is this My Caring Face' which whetted the appetite for the full release of 'The Flag Listeners'. The album all recorded in his home studio is sure to be his best work to date, Many of the tracks are already live favourites and it will be great to hear them all on one album.

The gig will have a backing band many a musician would dream to have with the likes of  Dave Keary (ex-Tuesday Blue and currently playing with Van Morrison) on electric guitar; Eoghan O’Neill (ex-moving Hearts) on bass; James Hanley on keyboards; Danny Byrt on drums; Jenny McMahon (DeLorean suite) and singer/songwriter, Siobhán O’Brien, on backing vocals.
Its sure to be one of the best gigs of the year!

Check out more info here : http://eamonnhehir.com/

Albums Worth Listening to in November 2012

L-R
Eamonn Hehir - The Flag Listeners
The Local singer-songwriter releases his much anticipated second solo album on the 17th of this month, 1 gig and 1 album not to miss!!!
O Emperor - Electric Tongues​/​Erman Gou
Cry Monster Cry - The Fallen EP - Buy the EP here
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill
The Rolling Stones - GRRR!
The Who - Live At Hull

As always suggestions very welcome!

O Emperor in town this Friday

An IndieLimerick favourite O Emperor will play Dolans this Friday the 9th as part of their eight night Irish tour.
The band have just released a double a side single in the form of 'Electoc Tongues/Erman Gou' in the follow up to their 2010 debut album 'Hither Thither'. The lads have been very busy recording in 2012 and the results are somewhat in a new direction comparing the material to the 2010 work.
Looking forward to hearing all the new stuff this Friday. Check out one of the new tracks below. Tickets available here.

Hermitage Green - EP Launch live at Dolans 18/10/12 Review

 

Tonight saw the long awaited EP launch from local band Hermitage Green. The lads have been playing together for just over two years mainly as a covers band. As they have progressed, original material started seeping into their live sets. The band had regular weekly slots in several bars in town and their following was gaining more attention than the band at first. You were guaranteed a full house of women if the band were playing in a pub , the draw being a fit looking bunch of musicians with Munster rugby connections. This clearly is the holy grail for any single women in town. The rugby connection lies with ex Munster player Barry Murphy. He will always be in the sporting history books as the only player to score a try against the All Blacks on their 2008 tour. (Check it out). The next rugby connection was that of Bódhran player Felix Jones, Felix is now gone from the band due to rugby commitments in the form of Munster and Irish selections. So you can clearly see why the big following, I had my doubts before I saw them live due to the fact that the people telling me about them weren't your typical music fan. However the first time I finally got to see them live I was very surprised these guys can play! they had a great set list full of covers in their own styling and one or two originals thrown into the mix.

They started to release original material in the form of live videos , their first appearance on record was on the 2011 Limerick compilation album 'The New Reindeer Age' with the acoustic track 'Live On'. The band started the recording process for their self produced four track EP 'The Gathering' enlisting the help of local recorders Owen Lewis and Dave Keary and Richard Dowling of Wav Mastering adding the final touches.

The bands launch night was originally billed for the small venue upstairs in dolans but with the fast selling tickets meant a move to the downstairs warehouse venue. I arrived early to find the place thronged of people, any established band would give a lot for such a big crowd especially when its only launching your first release. The band arrived out to great applause and launched straight into a strong fourteen song set. The set included crowd pleasing covers such as Dick Burnett's 'Man of Constant Sorrow' and Florence & The Machine's 'Cosmic Love'.

Having such a hectic gigging schedule over the last few years has stood to them as they are very comfortable on stage and with their sound. It was great to see the band on a night where the emphasis was more on their original material and we were treated to several unheard tracks including a song dedicated to Paul Darbyshire a friend of the band who sadly passed away. Paul was the head of strength and conditioning at Munster Rugby and clearly left a big impact on the lads, Video below.

Their sound is hard not to enjoy as they have a great catchy folky upbeat country inspired vibe not unlike a band such as Mumford and Sons. The set included a wide variety of instruments including a Didgeridoo, banjos and harmonicas .One of the highlights of the night was when we were treated to a Bódhran extravaganza when Dermot Sheedy climbed the speakers onto the mini roof of the lower bar, a first for me to see at dolans to give the crowd a drumming solo.

 

The night went off great and the crowd clearly enjoyed themselves which included several big names in the current Munster squad. They were all sensibly not drinking ahead of their big Heineken cup clash this Sunday thankfully. The EP is one to check out which can be purchased through itunes here. Its clearly going to be a very busy schedule for the band from here on out and very well deserved. Well done to the lads on such a great EP and Launch night, Cheers!

Set List:

Melodies

Red Flags

Live On

Constant Sorrow

Florida

Banish

Cosmic Love

Song for Paul

Let the Ink Flow

Bodhran Solo

Gibson

Golden Rule

Encore:

Not the Man

Aisling

Moscow Metro - Debut E.P Fundraiser

 

Excellent local band Moscow Metro are close to finishing their debut EP due out in early 2013, the four piece are currently urging fans to help them out with the cost of bringing this out. The band have been very busy in the last year with a heavy gigging schedule with the cherry on the top being an appearance at this years Electric Picnic. They have chosen fundit.ie to help with the recording of the record.

I personally think these fundit campaigns are great as everyone wins, They get an EP out and we get to help and get a copy of it. Looking forward to hearing the finished copy and if their single 'Spirit of City' is anything to go by this EP will be well worth getting. Go Fund it HERE

 

Pieta House & Familes Fundraising Gig Next Week

Friday the 12th of October will see Dolans play host to a fundraising event for Pieta House & Familes. Some great local bands are due to play on the night including the likes of dREA , Skazz, Dark Road and the excellent Parliament Square.
The night kicks off at 9pm and tickets are only €10. Well worth checking out and for a brilliant cause.

Albums Worth Listening to in October 2012

L-R
-The Chevin -Borderland
-Hermitage Green - The Gathering EP (Long awaited release from this local band, Download from itunes here . The launch of the single is on the 18th of October in Dolans )
-Windings - I Am Not The Crow (Another great local release this month, Check out the lead single here)
-Paul Banks - Banks
-Muse – The 2nd Law
-The Unusual History of Ether - Part One (Great band and super EP, The lads play dolans on the 2nd of November)

Suggestion very welcome as always!