Irish music blog. Containing gig, live and concert reviews reviews; album reviews; setlists for recent Dublin shows; album news; and basically everything from the Irish music scene.
This year is yet another great year for smaller Irish festivals. Never mind the behemoths of Oxegen and Electric Picnic, it's at the lesser known events where the true talent emerges - especially of a local sort.
Le Cheile 2010 is set to be fantastic. It takes place from the 30th of July to the 2nd of August in Oldcastle, Co. Meath at three venues in the town: Caffrey's Redrooms, Creams Marquee, as well as the Oldcastle House Hotel.
The lineup itself looks amazing with headline shows from Mick Flannery, Jerry Fish, Jack L, Fight Like Apes, Noise Control, and Weapons Detector, as well as The Richter Collective presents Bats and Not Squares.
And that's not to mention the brilliant acts further down the bill like Henrietta Game, Planet Parade, Codes, Grand Pocket Orchestra, Jogging, Ollie Cole, John Shelly and the Creatures, and many, many more.
Last year, Peter at 2UIBestow answered the Irish Times' list of the best Irish Acts around today with his own list. This year, he has followed that up by doing it again. Check out his list of his top 50 here, and then when you're finished, have a look at mine.
50. Ham Sandwich The Kells band have been going for a few years, but have only started to hit the big time in the last year or so. Debut album Carry the Meek was met with great acclaim in early 2008, and a lot is expected from their follow-up.
49. Groom Groom emerged from the alt-folk band Settler six years ago, and have gained in ability and following ever since. They take their inspirations from a variety of places, and are a live band definitely worth seeing.
48. Miss Paula Flynn A new contender on the scene, Paula Flynn released her self-titled debut album just last October. A great lyricist and melody-writer, it is Flynn's voice that really makes her one to watch. One of the best female singers in Ireland right now.
47. Herm If Paul Clancy were still alive, he definitely would have made this list. Kevin Connolly from Herm worked on his album, and is a fantastic musician in his own right. Their 2009 album Monsters is a great record, although somewhat disparate. However, I expect that all to calm down on the next album. Or maybe not...
46. Laura Izibor The winner of the 2004 2fm Song Contest, a lot was expected of Izibor when she signed an adult record deal. Still only 22, she has most of her career ahead of her. And if her debut Let The Truth Be Told is anything to go by, it'll be amazing.
45. Declan De Barra The Waterford singer-songwriter is a former member of Clann Zú, and uses his experiences from living in Australia and Canada to create enchanting music. A fabulous live entertainer too, DeBarra has his finger in many pies, and is one to watch on television as well as radio.
44. The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra Listed in our Irish Sound of 2010, the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra are one of the best named bands around. Still yet to release their debut album, they're a wonderful live band, and have two gorgeous EPs under theit belts.
43. Damien Rice The former Juniper frontman came to prominence at the start of the last decade, but took years to record a follow-up to the excellent O. We know he's capable of utter brilliance, but we could be waiting years to hear it.
42. Gemma Hayes Gemma Hayes is one of the most underrated acts in Ireland today. She writes gorgeous Sheryl Crow-esque songs, and has a wonderful catalogue of albums. A marvellous live entertainer who should be so much bigger worldwide.
41. Henrietta Game Another feature in the Irish Sound of 2010 poll, Henrietta Game are very new to the scene, but have already garnered much attention. Their set at Electric Picnic last year was one of the highlights of the festival, and there is so much more to come from this Limerick band.
After last year's succesful Irish Sound of 2009 post between myself and Peter over at 2UIBestow, we have teamed up again to highlight ten acts worth looking out for in 2010. We've picked five acts each, all of which could end up dominating the Irish music scene in the next twelve months.
A Plastic Rose
Belfast based A Plastic Rose consists of equal parts Sligo and Belfast and make the type of Indie Rock music Tim Wheeler dreams about. The vocals are shared by the contrasting styles of Ian and Gerry which results in harmonies not normally associated with the alternative rock genre. So far in their career they have released Eps and Singles with the full LP hopefully out this side of Christmas 2010. Seeing A Plastic Rose live is a must for the new year.
Hailing from Limerick The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra make some wonderful indie folk music which is receiving radio play across the country. They've release two EPs, played Electric Picnic and HWCHs as well as picking up celebrity fans like Paul McCloon and Cormac Battle along the way! 2010 could be the year of The BPLO with the likely release of their debut on the horizon.
Born in South Africa, but resident here since the age of seven, the Dubliner has an amazing voice as well as a wild backstory including a stint in the circus. But it's the music that really does the talking - it's a deep down dirty whiskey swagger that pulls no punches.
Candice Godon - 'Smoking Like the Barrel of a Gun'
Fiach
Is it better to release a number of mediocre albums or wait until the time is right to make and release an amazing debut album? Fiach has been around forever but in February he will finally release that debut album that he has spent years preparing. Fiach is a veteran of many a sessions night clocking up an impressive apprenticeship of live performances. The recent Whelans gigs proved he is equally impressive fronting a band and owning his audience. I think 2010 will find us falling for the singer-songwriter again with Fiach's uplifting songwriting being at the forefront of the movement. February 25th finds Fiach in The Button Factory for the album launch!
Henrietta Game only formed last January and already they've released a single, selected as Tony Fenton's daily download, performed with the legendary Peter Green and got a high profile slot at The Electric Picnic. Henrietta Game are guitar, cello, violin, glockenspiel and four part harmonies which send shivers down the spine. Henrietta Game is one of the most original bands out there which will appeal to indie kids and folk lovers alike.
Many of you may remember Ollie Cole as the frontman in the sadly-missed Turn. Well, he's back under the guise Oliver Cole and has signed to EMI. He released the excellent What Will You Do EP last year, and looks set to release full-length debut album We Albatri sometime in 2010.
Padraig was the lead singer with Wallmark and later with Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. In 2005 Wallmark released a great album but Wallmark didn't last much longer after the release. Since then Padraig has been writing a whole bunch of great tunes that will become his debut album this year with Karl Odlum's input. Padraig writes honest emotional songs full of life and character. With luck 2010 will be Padraig's year!
Clane produces a lot of good music. Planet Parade are the latest act to join Bell x1 and Damien Rice as exports of Kildare's Detroit Rock City. They're a fantastic indie-pop band who have been honing their craft in a live setting - particularly at autumn's Hard Working Class Heroes Festival in Dublin. Check out their EP Ghosts to People, and if you're around, head over to Whelan's on Friday, January 15th to catch them live.
With a debut album imminent, Bangor, Co. Down's Two Door Cinema Club could be the biggest Irish act of 2010. They've been hyped by the BBC and Spinner, and will be releasing their first album, Tourist History, on March 1st. They played the Introducing Tent at Glastonbury last year, but expect them to feature higher up the bill at Festivals in 2010, as well as joining the NME Shockwaves Tour throughout the UK and Ireland.
Ireland's other singing drummer duo Oppenheimer split up over Christmas, but instead of the Nordies' electronic feel, We Cut Corners are a beautiful folk-pop group with songs that sound so much bigger than the sum of their parts. They also joined the lineup at Hard Working Class Heroes in 2009 and featured on RTÉ 2's When Under Ether. Expect to hear much more from them in 2010.
Henrietta Game are an upcoming Irish band, who feature the most beautiful harmonies I've heard in local music since Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan teamed up. Peter over at 2UIBestow has them lined up for his second 2uibestow Sessions in Boyle's, Slane, Co. Meath, and they're sure to put on a fantastic show. They'll be performing alongside Bill Coleman, Arrow In The Sky, and Mickael Lenel. The gig is free and takes place on July 3rd.
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