Weekend Gigs: 17-19 October 2008

Great weekend for gigs once again. At least one must-see show every night this weekend. Times New Viking, Los Campesinos! and No Age is probably the best billing of the year. Three great bands for under €16. How can you resist?

Oxjam on Saturday is a brilliant idea from secondary-school students to make money for Oxfam, and deserves every piece of support. In the evening, head over to Andrew's Lane for Messiah J and the Expert's album launch party. Sure to be great fun.

And on Sunday, Jenny Lewis plays a solo show at The Button Factory, showcasing her new album Acid Tongue, and may even throw in a Rilo Kiley tune or two.

Friday, 17 October 2008

Messiah J and the Expert	Tower Records	18:00	FREE
Gilbert O'Sullivan	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€34
Times New Viking / Los Campesinos! / No Age	Whelan's	20:00	€15.45

Saturday, 18 october 2008

19:30

Fall Out Boy	RDS	€37.50
Cyndi Lauper	TriPod	19:30	€34-€38
Messiah J and the Expert	Andrew's Lane Theatre	20:00	€15
Gilbert O'Sullivan	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€34
Oxjam	Ambassador Theatre	14:30	€10

Sunday, 19 October 2008

Jenny Lewis	The Button Factory	20:00	€17
Gilbert O'Sullivan	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€34
Spiritualized	Vicar Street	20:30	€33.60

Live: Recommendations 25-27 July 2008

ROBOTNIK! That's all I really have to recommend to you tonight! He's amazing. And then tomorrow night, watch it again because no doubt you recorded it on your camera phone. "Well I found Jesus". Song of the Century!

Alright, alright. Hang around for Black Affair after (it's a Beta Band offshoot). Both are at CrawDaddy. You won't even have to leave your perch at the bar.

On Saturday I'd recommend Nina Nastasia, without Jim White unfortunately, but still good nonetheless!

Then on Sunday, try and get a ticket on toutless.com (or the black market) for Daniel Johnston and Friends. It's sold out for a reason. Cause it's bound to be brilliant!

Live Recommendations: 11-13 July 2008

Not much to recommend this weekend. Oxegen is on, so every artist in the land is gone to play that (before flying to/from T in the Park to do the exact same). The only night there's really anyone you may have heard of is tonight.

P-Square are an American rap/hip-hop duo, if that's your thing. It's not mine, I'm more of a bluegrass man myself, and thus intend to see Punch Brothers at the Sugar Club. Chris Thile is their mainman, and he used to be the main man in Nickel Creek. Punch brothers are more instrumental than Nickel Creek, and if you've heard any of Thile's solo material, you know what to expect.

Sorry for the briefness of this recommendations, but I more than made up for it, with my Oxegen previews:
http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2008/07/live-oxegen-2008-preview-friday.html
http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2008/07/live-oxegen-2008-preview-saturday.html
http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2008/07/live-oxegen-2008-preview-sunday.html

Live: Oxegen 2008 Preview - Sunday

Last but not least. If you're still conscious on Sunday, there are some great bands playing. And if not, the noise of Rage Against The Machine is bound to wake you from your coma.

If you've time to do some reading before the weekend, People's Republic of Cork have their own nice little Guide to Oxegen:
http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=275

Sunday

13:30
It's the Subways not the Sundays playing the O2 Stage, so there will be no stories ending. Instead, check out alt-country singer Ryan Bingham at Pet Sounds. It'll ease you into Sunday.

14:20
The Hold Steady at the Green Room. Why in the name of Jesus are they on so early? Ridiculous. Tom Baxter is on the same stage six hours later, makes no sense. Go and see them. They're one of your must sees for Sunday.

14:45
Whenever Franz Nicolay walks off the stage, not at 14:45, head over to the Main Stage to catch the end of the Feeling. It'll brighten your spirits, if not the weather.

15:25
In my opinion, The Stranglers only have one good song. Hopefully they'll play it. They might be good live, so give them a try. Best of a bad bunch, playing in the Green Room.

15:50
We Are Scientists. They're pretty good, as their new album Brain Thrust Mastery would attest, so see them on the O2 Stage. Don't bother with the Blizzards. Just because they're Irish doesn't mean they're all that good. The Kinetics on Friday are miles better.

16:00
Lightspeed Champion, he used to write for Pitchfork, you know? He's better than any other critic out there when it comes to playing music though. His lyrics are dope. Am I allowed say that? I'm probably not cool enough. Back to Pet Sounds for this one.

16:40
Alabama 3 is like your own rocky hoedown, well not really but the name does not indicate the music. Try them on in The Green Room.

17:05
Yet another British band, The Pigeon Detectives. How come they produce good music and we have dirge like Delorentos in Pet Sounds. The wingéd ones can be found on the O2 Stage.

17:35
The Kooks released their second album, Konk, earlier this year. It wasn't a patch on the earlier record, but I hear it works well in the live setting. They're on the Main Stage.

18:20
Dublin's The Script are a good upcoming Irish band. There's only a finite amount of them. Recent single 'We Cry' was a great radio hit, and give them the attention they deserve. Pay them attention at the 2FM New Bands Stage.

18:35
'Time to Pretend' by MGMT was everywhere earlier this year. They're bloody weird looking dudes, but they make good music. Not all about looks you know. That said my girlfriend is stunning. I bet yours isn't. MGMT are on Pet Sounds.

19:20
Forget that nonsense singalong song the Fratellis will lash into on the Main Stage, Glasvegas are twenty times the band they are, and play the 2FM New Band Stage. Another of my must-sees for the weekend. You can thank me when you wake Monday evening. Irish act Crayonsmith is on the IMRO New Sounds Stage at the same time, if you're feeling patriotic, check him out. He's good too.

19:45
Band of Horses are one of the most productive bands around and release a lot in a short time. This means they don't have as much time to tour, so catch them when they're here. Speaking of Horses, wasn't Into the West a great film, Tayto? Band of Horses play Pet Sounds.

21:00
Don't even waste time trekking to the Kaiser Chiefs on the Main Stage for fifteen minutes, worm your way up front at the O2 Stage for Jack White and Brendan Benson's Raconteurs. If they play 'Carolina Drama', that'll be the highlight of the weekend.

22:45
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won some award. It isn't well known. Most people, however, don't know they're actually called The Swell Season. They bring their stripped down brilliance to the Pet Sounds Stage. Bound to be packed. At the same time Rage Against The Machine come to the Main Stage (22:35), Chemical Brothers on O2 (22:30), Ian Brown at the Green Room (22:50), but of the other acts, Wales pop-rockers Los Campesinos! are the ones most worth seeing on the 2FM New Band Stage (23:20).


Until Oxegen 2009...

Live: Oxegen 2008 Preview - Saturday

Better get all these done today, cause no doubt some of you are off to the festival tomorrow - you mad yokes! You're going to be soaked!

Saturday

Nice early start Saturday morning. Well early for me, I don't get up before 12 on Saturdays. Not even for Soccer AM!

13:30
Always plenty of choice for the first act. Comedy-rock group Bowling for Soup on the Main Stage, Jack McManus on Pet Sounds, but I'm recommending British band Little Man Tate on the O2 Stage. They're named after a Jodie Foster film. Bound to be brilliant!

14:25
Check out the Delays for a few minutes in the Green Room.

14:45
Scouting for Girls. Yes, they're poppy, but it's the good kind of feelgood stuff. Not shlock like Busted or McFly. They're on the Main Stage.

15:20
Two choices here. Powderfinger (named after a legend of a Neil Young tune) on the O2 Stage, or The Music at Pet Sounds. Depends on whether you feel like walking really.

16:10
Avoid Newton Faulkner at all costs. My housemate wouldn't, she says she'd actually give him a go, dreads and all! My Morning Jacket bring their Evil Urges to Pet Sounds. So you're probably best going to see The Music instead of Powderfinger so. Too late now though.

16:25
The Ting Ting Ting Tings. Major Major Major Major. I like repetition. Horrible name the Ting Tings. Decent music. Those singles will become anthems on Saturday. Check them out in the Green Room.

17:10
Holy Fuck. Don't know which band name is worse, this or the Ting Tings. But the worst of the weekend is definitely Does It Offend You, Yeah? Stop in to the 2FM New Band Stage on the way to...

17:15
The Main Stage for Counting Crows. You'll all know 'Mr Jones', but they do have some other great songs. Their new album isn't their best, but expect a greatest hits performance at Oxegen (their Ambassador show will be used to promote the record).

18:15
You should love Yeasayer. Great band name, great album. Pretty great for the twenty minutes you'll be there.

18:35
If you check out one band this weekend, make it Vampire Weekend. Clever lyrics, African-influences, and the word "Vampire" in their name. What's not to like? Plus, Amy Winehouse will probably not turn up. The Green Room will be full.

19:40
Blues legend Seasick Steve on the Pet Sounds Stage. Well he's not all that much of a legend, but he's old, which is half the battle. For the few years he's been well-known though, he has been well-received, and went down a treat at Glastonbury two weekends ago.

20:15
More sunshine pop from Swedish band Alphabeat. It'll make up for the fact the actual sun didn't shine all day. Catch them at the 2FM New Band Stage.

20:45
"Sheffield crooner channels ghost of Roy Orbison." Sounds like a spam email. It's true though. Love by the Arctic Monkeys. Loved by me. See him!

21:10
(Or whatever time Richard is over. Take note that you should wait for some acts to finish before leaving. Don't spend the weekend walking around!) Black Kids are yet another hype band. I posted a stream of their debut album yesterday. It's worth checking out. Feeder are also on the O2 Stage at this time, could be worth a look. They're much better live than in studio.

22:15
Either Hot Chip or Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong. One is dancy stuff, the other bizarrely-titled rock. Don't bother with the Zutons anyway. They make more money from Amy Winehouse than they do from their own records. Hot Chip can be caught at Pet Sounds, Joe Lean on the 2FM New Band Stage.

23:45
The Verve play The Main Stage. Expect material from their new record Forth, as well as classics like 'Sonnet' and 'Bittersweet Symphony'. And someone record some videos for me, I want to see this new material. I won't be seeing the Verve. The National are on! They play the Pet Sounds stage at 23:40. They sold out a week's worth of dates in the last year, and are loved. Rightly so. Also, if you're into your dance music, check out Justice at 23:45 in the Dance Building.

Live: Oxegen 2008 Preview - Friday

So, you've now read what everyone has to say on a variety of different bands. Most of it was glowing praise. It seems that everyone playing the Punchestown festival this year is the best act ever. Sadly, that's not the case. So here I am to help you decide who to see. And I'm going to do it by time schedule, so you won't forget who's on stage. Yes. I love that scene from Animaniacs, even if it is a rip-off of a classic Abbott and Costello joke.

So let's start with Day 1:

Friday

17:00
Three choices here really, Dirty Epics, Amy MacDonald or Future Kings of Spain. The others will probably be attended by people who are either family members and friends or people who want to get out of the rain. None of these really shine, but Ireland's own Future Kings of Spain do put on a nice little live performance. They're on the O2 Stage

18:00
The Coronas. If you have time go see these guys for a few minutes at the Main Stage, before heading to see...

18:15
Anyone but the Sugababes. Or maybe they'll cancel again. Who you should be seeing are Dublin-based The Kinetics, who play the Green Room. They're one of the best upcoming Irish bands out there, and were thoroughly fantastic when I saw them recently supporting Saving J.

18:50
It's a case of family business when Son of Crowded House, sorry, Liam Finn, takes to the 2FM New Band/Futures Stage. His music is somewhat reminiscent of his dad's, and is much better than anything Sean Lennon has ever released.

19:10
Paddy Casey belts out some of his Irish modern classics on the Main Stage, but you won't be hearing anything from his average new album, as you'll no doubt be too busy listening to Battles in the Pet Sounds Tent. Expect to hear the wonderful Math-Rock of 'Atlas' which received praise from everyone from NME ro Pitchfork.

19:50
When they're finished, head over to see The Saw Doctors 'N17' and all, where it'll be culchie central in The Green Room. Hope you brought your wellies!

20:25
Back to The Main Stage (lots of walking in my Oxegen 2008 Tour) for Editors, who'll definitely rock the house, and hopefully cheer up all the soggy souls out on the mulch. But you'll only be watching them for twenty minutes...

20:45
Pianoman Ben Folds is on the O2 Stage, minus the Five, but still as excellent as ever. I saw him in Vicar Street last year, and it was definitely a treat for the ears. We even got a guest appearance from Neil Hannon!

21:50
Aphex Twin used to be great. He's still a weirdo, but I'm not too sure how great he still is. Granted, it's either him or The Go!Team or Mundy. So watch him for five minutes anyway.

21:55
Main Stage again for Interpol. I never would say I was looking forward to them, but there's not much else now really is there? Friday is definitely the poorest of all three days. Personally I think they should've stuck with two.

22:30
Friendly Fires are yet to release an album, but when they do, expect it to be soundtracking a lot of adverts. Their single 'Paris' should've been everywhere, but criminally wasn't. Check them out on the 2FM New Band Stage.

23:30
Kings of Leon finally land on the Main Stage. I hardly expect people to be watching anyone else. They'll play plenty of their well-known tunes, and expect some from their upcoming record too. I remember when I first saw these guys (after Youth and Young Manhood was first released) and they were excellent. I don't think anything they've released since matches their debut, but they do put on a great show.

If you want to see someone else while the Kings are onstage though, I'd recommend Cat Power (Pet Sounds 23:50), but not The Rascals (New Band 23:30). Calvin Harris is wonderful live too, and was great last year (Dance Stage 23:50).

Live Recommendations: 7-10 July

After a pretty much uneventful weekend gigwise, there are some treats in store this week. You probably were too busy watching the Wimbledon Finals or the Hurling to go out on the lash anyway. Tonight sees hip-hop superstar Lupe Fiasco make his Irish debut (I think) at TriPod. Don't expect any Kanye West piggybacks here, but do expect material from his two albums as well as some pretty neat sampling.

Tuesday night hosts a whole load of smaller acts as well as one legendary one. The Magnetic Fields are definitely worth a look atVicar Street, while The Miutes and Operator Please are also worth checking out if you're not willing to spend thirty quid on a ticket. Meanwhile, across town, the Bat duo... no wait, that's a line form the 1966 classic Batman film starring Adam West. I watched it at the weekend, hilariously ridiculous. Another classic however, is Little Feat who take to The Academy. And are sure to pull out hits like 'Dixie Chicken' as well as some material from their new duets record Join the Band.

The Minutes perform again on Wednesday, as does David Turpin who put on a fine show last week. On Thursday, American alt-rockers Counting Crows come back to the nation who embraced them most (like David Gray) for an intimate warm-up gig before their Oxegen appearance. The Crows have had a longstanding affinity with Ireland, and our very own Stephen's Green is mentioned on their new album (which has nothing to do with the Albert Sillitoe novel or film of the same Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings (which has nothing to do with the Alan Sillitoe novel or film of the same name - a wonderful film, far better than that Batman nonsense).

Watch a live recording of 'Dixie Chicken' with Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris:

Live Recommendations: 4-6 July 2008

Independence Day weekend is traditionally the day a huge box-office smash is released in the US. It's also the weekend that most people go to the cinema. Last year's film was Transformers, a Michael Bay spectacle which brought many of us back to a lost childhood. It also made the t-shirts cool again.

This year's July 4 film is Will Smith's new vehicle, Hancock, a movie about a waster superhero who comes good, or something like that. I'll probably end up going to see this this weekend, as not one band playing in town takes my fancy. They're probably all resting before the first ever three-day Oxegen festival anyway.

On that note, if you are an act playing some venue and want it to appear in the Gigs section, you can email details to swearimnotpaul@gmail.com and we'll do our best to highlight your gig.

Live Recommendations: 27-29 June 2008

Glastonbury is on this weekend. Any other year I'd be staying in glued to every BBC channel (and BBC interactive) watching live and delayed coverage from the stages other than the Pyramid Stage. This year Glasto has a great lineup (yes, even Jay-Z), but the act that stands out most for me is the beloved Neil Diamond. Yes, he's a guilty pleasure, but his most recent albums are fantastic. I never thought I'd see him at Glastonbury! There's plenty of Irish talent at the festival, Jape, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, Sinead O'Connor, and... Gilbert O'Sullivan!

If you do stay in to watch it on TV, acts I'd recommend checking out are The Raconteurs, John Mayer, Vampire Weekend, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, Neon Neon, Pete Doherty, Laura Marling, Glasvegas and The National.

If you do decide to go out, like me! There's plenty of brilliant (well two) artists playing in Dublin while everyone else is getting mucked to the eyeballs in Pilton, England. Morrissey plays the Royal Hospital Grounds on Saturday, and then Neil Young brings his brilliance to Malahide Castle on Sunday. I'll be there, give me a shout if you see me. (That's if you know what I look like!) The Frames are in support.

Tonight sees the Delorentos play with the Kinetics at The Academy. I've seen them both live, and I must say the wrong band are headlining. If you can, drop in just to see how great unknown punchy music should sound. I'll also be in attendance for the Saving J single release at Tower Records (just off Grafton Street), to see them 'Kick Off' a brilliant instore performance.

I'll be hoarse next week from all this gigging. Who says I don't half enjoy myself?

Live recommendations: 20-22 June 2008

Some pretty good artists playing in Dublin this weekend - well that all depends on your taste, but even so, there should be something to cater for everyone.

The biggest name of the weekend is obviously the cream of the crop, Eric Clapton, who brings his legendary brand of blues to Malahide Castle. Concertgoers are recommended to use public transport, and with the Dart station only 150 metres away, that would be my preferred method of transport. It's how I plan to get in and out of the castle for Neil Young next weekend anyway. Tickets are still on sale for both Clapton and Young, so that's the next two weekends sorted for you!

Tonight, Christy Moore is playing Tripod (as he did last night), but who hasn't seen him at this stage? Cathy Davey plays the Olympia, and Tom Baxter brings his own brand of generic singer-songwriter nonsense to the National Stadium. Don't get me wrong, he does have some good songs - but they were all on his first album, which is nearly half-a-decade old at this stage. Cathy Davey is a homegrown hero, and the singer's latest release Tales of Silversleeve was released to much acclaim in the UK just last week.

If you can't afford to see Eric Clapton, then there are plenty of alternatives on Saturday night. Poppette KT Tunstall plays the Olympia, fresh from supporting The Police in Belfast tonight. Republic of Loose promote their new album of funky-weirdness at the Ambassador. Tom Dunne is still going strong, and hopefully will play that one hit 'Parachute' in Whelan's. For people who claim they like "proper" music, Liars and Keren Ann are also visiting our fine capital.

Sunday is a bit of a letdown after Saturday, but rock fans from around the country will be at the RDS for nu-metallers Linkin Park (sadly there won't be any sign of Jay-Z), who are supported by the used-to-be-good-before-Nick-Oliveri-left Queens of the Stone Age and metal band Coheed & Cambria.

Wherever you go this weekend, enjoy. And don't blame me if the Dart is absolutely jammed.

This week's Gigs: 16-18 June 2008

I can't say I'd recommend going to see any of these artists early this week. The Courteeners have received the usual NME-hype that any British band gets, but they're really not that good. I'd save my money for the weekend. Madness and Crowded House tickets would have made great Father's Day presents yesterday, and unless you're bringing your dad I suggest staying in instead. And watch a Birdseye ad on TV. One minute of Suggs is more than enough for anyone to take.

Monday, 16 June 2008

The Courteeners	Whelan's	20:00	€16.50
Crowded House	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€49.20
Iggy & The Stooges	Royal Hospital	Gates 18:30	€55
Michael McDonald	Vicar Street	20:00	€54.80
Prince	Croke Park	xx:xx	Cancelled!

Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Crowded House	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€49.20
Madness	Tripod	19:30	€64.50-74.50

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Crowded House	Olympia Theatre	20:00	€49.20
Paul Curreri	The Sugar Club	20:00	€13
Madness	Tripod	19:30	€64.50-74.50