Friday 30 October 2009

Photo action-Biffy Clyro live at The Olympia, Dublin.

Last night I got to witness the superb Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre in Dublin.
Their live show was insane and the crowd were, it has to be said, a fantastic contribution to the whole proceedings. From grand opener Golden Rule to anthems such as Who's Got A Match?, 9/15ths, Mountains and current single The Captain, Biffy Clyro brought it all. Screaming guitars, pounding drums and huge sing-a-long choruses ensured a momentous performance and here are some pics I took at the start of the show.
Only Revolutions is their highly anticipated new album out here in Ireland on Friday November 6th and in the UK Monday November 9th. Thanks to Warner for organising my photo pass.

Simon Neil
Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre, Dublin October 29th 2009


Simon Neil
Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre, Dublin October 29th 2009


James Johnston
Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre, Dublin October 29th 2009


Ben Johnston
Biffy Clyro live @ The Olympia Theatre, Dublin October 29th 2009


Simon Neil
IMG_0636



You can view more HERE

Thursday 29 October 2009

Introducing Blackchords...

Blackchords are from Melbourne, Australia and I think by the end of the year they shall be on every hot tipped list for 2010 if they are not already. They have been likened to early Radiohead, Elbow, Jeff Buckley and Explosions In The Sky and while yes, there are elements in their sound to suggest such comparisons Blackchords stand out on their own.
Despite drawing from various influences they are a genuine indie rock band who are really great at being just that, a great indie rock band with no gimmicks. Their self titled debut is available now on Dust Devil Music in Europe and the first single to get some form of recognition this side of the planet is
At World's End, which you can check out below.

The Noises In Our Heads Present The Evening Watch plus guests


A big thanks to Cian Walker for designing the poster for the second Noises In Our Heads gig in the Twisted Pepper on November 18th. You can read all about HERE.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Jamie T- Man Machine video

Mr T as in Jamie not the bling wearing Snickers addict, releases his third track from Kings & Queens next month with the very brilliant Man Machine. If you haven't checked out Jamie T's second album yet then do so as it's pretty damn awesome. Man Machine will be released as an EP with three brand new tracks; Jenny Can't Rely On Me, Man Not A Monster and Believing In Things That Can't Be Done. This is the third EP from Jamie this year following the release of Sticks N' Stones and Chaka Demus and while he may have postponed his UK and Irish tour due to a bout of Laryngitis he promises to reschedule as soon as he is fit enough.

In the mean time enjoy the very catchy Man Machine.


Friday 23 October 2009

Frightened Rabbit- Swim Until You Can't See Land video

This video has been doing the rounds over the past week and a bit but I love the track too much not to mention it here. Swim Until You Can't See Land is another cracking song from Frightened Rabbit filled with gorgeous melodies and swooning backing vocals all surrounding Scott Hutchison's distinct lead vocal. which as always, lends itself to a certain amount of vulnerability. This is the first taster taken from their new studio album due out on Fat Cat Records in early 2010 and it is titled The Winter Of Mixed Drinks .



Frightened Rabbit play the Academy supporting Modest Mouse on December 7th and 8th and Swim Until You Can't See Land is released on November 13th.

Thursday 22 October 2009

Listen to the new LCD Soundsystem track Bye Bye Bayou


LCD Soundsystem have quite a following here in Ireland and it's been two years now since the release of the outstanding Sound Of Silver, so the feet have been itchy since they announced they would be releasing their own version of Bye Bye Bayou, a track originally by Alan Vega from Suicide. The good news is you can listen to it below and we have the link to the free download.

The 12" of this single is available through DFA Records and a selected amount of indie vinyl shops in the UK so get hunting when it hits the shelves on November 6th while it will be early 2010 before we get to wrap our ears around the new album. For your free download of Bye Bye Bayou then click HERE

Wednesday 21 October 2009

The Noises In Our Heads Present The Evening Watch plus very special guests...


This is the second gig of 2009 for The Noises In Our Heads. After a packed out gig back in June with Incommunicado, Jennifer Evans & The Ripe Intent and Slurps in the Lower Deck, I am set to do it all over again. This time the fun shall be staged in The Twisted Pepper on Abbey Street and the lineup is as follows:

Over the last three months
The Evening Watch have been working tirelessly on lots of new songs since their days as Incommunicado. This indie electronic outfit based in Dublin have influences ranging across the board from Kings Of Convenience to Jim O'Rourke and like to use a large range of instruments on stage including live strings. A feast for the ears indeed.

Next up is The Indecent Cigar Emporium, who are a 6 piece outfit that started out playing psychedelic bluegrass until the funk got the better of them and they have since evolved into a quirky funk, beat driven band with a large sense of humour. It's Metronomy meets The Flight Of The Conchords.

With a name like Lumière you would expect lo fi, ambient or classical music but not with this band. This alternative rock outfit based in Dublin tear it up with loud, breakneck guitars and drums. Fans of Hot Club De Paris and Foals should enjoy them.

November 18th is the date and the door tax is €6...Bargain!

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Photographs @ HWCH '09

Hats off to the organisers of the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival '09. It was a fantastic weekend of live music, photography and panel discussions. Most importantly though it showcased a lot of Irish musicians from all genres and it left me in doubt that there is a serious amount of talent in Irelend. I took some photo's of that very talent I speak of and for more you can click HERE.

Distractors live @ Academy 2 for HWCH '09
Distractors live @ HWCH Festival '09

Distractors live @ Academy 2 for HWCH '09
Distractors live @ HWCH Festival '09

O Emperor live @ ALT for HWCH '09
O Emperor @ HWCH Festival '09

O Emperor live @ ALT for HWCH '09
O Emperor @ HWCH Festival '09

Gran Casino live @ ALT for HWCH '09
Gran Casino live @ HWCH Festival '09

Gran Casino live @ ALT for HWCH '09
Gran Casino live @ HWCH Festival '09

Sweet Jane live @ ALT for HWCH '09
Sweet Jane live @ HWCH Festival '09

Sweet Jane live @ ALT for HWCH '09
Sweet Jane live @ HWCH Festival '09

Thursday 15 October 2009

Midnight Juggernauts-This New Technology Video

My favourite Aussies Midnight Juggernauts are back with the wonderfully trippy, This New Technology, a prismatic synth pop track that at first, I must admit I wasn't too gone on.

After loving the superb Dystopia with all it's brilliance in the shape of Into The Galaxy, Tombstone and Shadows, I really hoped they would come back with something pretty great and I think they nearly have.The video itself reflects the psychotropic nature of the track and they have evolved further into a spaced out, synth pop band that would enjoy an episode or two of the Crystal Maze but I think it suits them. Let's hope the new album due out next year is up to par.


You can buy This New Technology EP on iTunes and it's worth it for the Nile Delta remix alone. Also check out the Emperor Machine remix on Discopunk.net

Monday 12 October 2009

Florence & The Machine-You've Got The Love video

The wonderful Florence Welch (of And The Machine) is set to release her excellent version of Candi Staton's, You've Got The Love on November 13th. A crowd favourite when performed live, Flo's version gives this soul classic a wonderfully modern twist. The video for this is shot with Florence perched on a glittery, silver quarter moon dressed in feathers and sequinns, whipping her red mane into shape with the music. It's pretty girly so I am not gonna complain.



Florence and The Machine | MySpace Music Videos

Friday 9 October 2009

Talulah Does The Hula-Bad Boyfriend Video

Dublin ladies (and man) Talulah Does The Hula have just released their first video to the wonderfully poppy Bad Boyfriend. It was shot over the summer by band member Jesse and it is uber slick!
The track itself reflects the summery feel good factor of the video and I love it.

If you like what you hear then you can them live next Friday in the Twisted Pepper as part of the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival.

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Wednesday 7 October 2009

Twin Atlantic live @ The Academy photo's

Last night I hit the Academy 2 for the mighty Twin Atlantic who are currently on their Irish tour and while I was there I took a few snaps. The band took in Belfast, Galway and Dublin while their Cork show is tonight.
Check them out below.

Ross McNae
Twin Atlantic live @ The Academy 2 October 2009

Craig Kneale
Twin Atlantic live @ The Academy 2 October 2009

Barry McKenna
Twin Atlantic live @ The Academy 2 October 2009

Sam McTrusty
Twin Atlantic live @ The Academy 2 October 2009

You can see more on my Flickr.
www.twinatlantic.com

New Late Of The Pier single details.

Castle Donnington's finest exports Late Of The Pier are set to release a brand new single this side of Christmas or so rumour has it. A big hoorah! It shall be a double A-Side with new tracks Blueberry and an oldie featured on some early demo's Best In The Class.
Blueberry
is a track you could expect to find deep in the vaults of your parents record collection as it's draped with psychedelic soundscapes and a Bowie influenced vocal, while Best In Class is more Late Of The Pier of now except it's jazzed up quite a bit from the early demo stage.
Erol Alkan who produced the bands surreal but fantastic debut Fantasy Black Channel, has bestowed his production skills yet again on the finished product and it's one I can't wait to hear.
LOTP have played Blueberry live on a number of occasions including at SXSW earlier this year and you can check out the audio below as well as a live version of Best In The Class.

Blueberry

Best In Class

Friday 2 October 2009

Twin Atlantic coming to a town near you this week.


After playing to a largely under age audience in The Academy supporting Taking Back Sunday in July, Twin Atlantic have released their debut album Vivarium and played a tonne of gigs all over the place including the hugely popular Sonisphere festival. Their own headline tour has seen them grace the stages of venues up and down the UK and they are about to return to Ireland for 4 gigs of their own.

Starting this Sunday the band are in to play the following dates:
Sunday October 4th- Auntie Annies, Belfast
Monday October 5th- The Roisin Dubh, Galway
Tuesday October 6th- The Academy 2, Dublin
Wednesday October 7th- Old Oak, Cork

Last month I wrote a wee piece about the band and their video for You're Turning Into John Wayne but check out the video to their first single released from Vivarium, Lightspeed.