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Neosupervital – New Tracks

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags , on October 13, 2009 by Tickets There

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Ireland’s favourite solo-electronica artists, Neosupervital is preparing to release his second album in 2010 bt you don’t have to wait that long to hear what Tim’s been up to. New tracks Do What You Feel, Slow Motion, Getting Back (To What You Know) and the albums flagship single, the highly acclaimed Dance With You are on Neo’s MySpace for streaming now.

Not enough? Well, there’s also a FREE DOWNLOAD of Dance With You and a bunch of gig dates aswell. If that don’t satisfy ya, then you’re a lost cause….or you don’t like to dance.

New stuff sounds great so expect a few more updates about the groups activities over the next few months.

Click Here to visit NEOSUPERVITAL’s MySpace

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*UPDATED: ASH – DUBLIN & BELFAST Shows Announced!!

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags , , , , on October 12, 2009 by Tickets There

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Can you believe it, just as Tickets There is reveling in the grips of an ASH buzz, the hard rock / alternative indie / dance attack trio go and announce two Irish shows due to take place in November!!

The lads player Dublin’s Button Factory on November 25th before heading to Belfast’s Spring * Airbrake on the 26th.

Tickets for the Belfast date are on sale now and priced £18.50.

DUBLIN TICKETS ON SALE NOW!! – E23.00

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Concerto For Constantine – New Website almost There

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags , , , , , on October 11, 2009 by Tickets There

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Things seem to be moving along for Concerto for Constantine’s new website. It’s been added to Wikipedia and the address is showing up on search engines. Also, when you open the site the images are coming through so it looks like any day now we’ll see an announcement (hopefully)

I see a lot of people searching for ‘Concerto for Constantine Album’ and Concerto for Constantine ep’ Just to let you folks know, there is still no official word from the group on this subject. There have been rumours of the band recording material in Canada and Dublin but nothing confirmed. However Tickets There does have a feeling the band has something very special up their sleeve and we’re positive we’ll find out more soon.

Until I know more, have a good night.

TT

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MySpace Review – The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, MySpace Review with tags , , , , on October 11, 2009 by Tickets There

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Ok, so far I’m nine reviews behind this weekends target. Only two people have read this morning’s one so I don’t think anyone is sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for them anyways. So, todays Hard Working Class Heroes Festival special review is The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra. Now, Tickets There isn’t expecting a whole pile from this band but we’ll try and be as positive, charming, happy go lucky and polite as we almost usually are. I turned off the Future Kings of Spain to start this review so they better be worth it.

As usual, I’ve never seen the band live or heard their album.

Soon! is first. Ok, just a one minute’s preview. Ehm, well it’s different. Strings and guitars with a splash of drums. Strange vocals and not really Tickets There’s thing. Not as bad as I thought it would be though. Second track, December seems to be the full deal. Similar to Soon! but a little better. The vocals aren’t as in your face and the music is a little less intrusive. The strings add a nice change and it’s kind of angelic poppy or something. Definitely not as bad as I thought. Certainly not my thing but more than audible. There’s something oddly familiar about it, like it was in some film. Very well done, purposely shambolic sound around the whole thing.

What do you get when you mix nineteen thirties swing music with reggae and PJ Harvey? Grace Jones. A song that by all rights should be very, very silly. “Grace Jones on your cell phone”! What the hell is that meant to mean anyway? Unusually, it kind of works. Still not my thing but I’m looking for positives and I’ll happily admit it’s a strange mix that I haven’t heard a group do before. Manages to change its style a lot without the basic foundation changing an inch (does that make sense?). All I Want follows and it’s much more simplistic and very, very different from the previous numbers. This one sounds more like Divine Comedy doing singer songwriter stuff. Little Swiss (cheesy) but not the worst out there. More harmonies would have been nicer on it. The two singers compliment each other very well.

The Devil in Me starts off with much heavier guitars than the other numbers. Little less gospelish despite it’s subject. There’s a good backing from one of those sixties styled organs. I think this is my favourite so far. One I’d even consider putting on rotation for a few days. Not the most original but pretty alright. Wake Up Screaming sounds closer to an Irish rock number than a lot of music I’ve heard in a while and the violins are a welcome return and they make the overall flow of the song very melodic. Slow paced but in a good way.

Four Out Five brings their MySpace selection to a close and it’s not a bad way to go. Very, very nice song that would work very well in a smokey jazz bar. Not bad.

Well, Tickets There has been caught off guard again. Looks like there will be some acts to check out this year after all. Hop over and check out The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra for yourself and see what I mean.

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MySpace Review – Sweet Jane

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, MySpace Review with tags , on October 11, 2009 by Tickets There

sweetJane

There’s alot of music in the world. So much that’s never going to be a chance to hear it all. Hell, there’s so much music in this country alone that you can listen to Irish bands for years and still not hear half of it. Because of this. Tickets There can still be pleasantly surprised by some of our acts even when the Japes and Turns of the country have been found. I just got a lovely surprise when I stuck on Sweet Jane and after one song I decided this is where the HWCH reviews have to start.

As usual I’ve never seen the band live or heard their album.

Anyone out the like The Doors or the Stones? What about the Velvet Underground and sixties styled psychedelic indie rock? If so, Sweet Jane are right up your ally. I was half way through their first track, Where’s Your Money Gone when I realised I really like this band. There’s some acts out there who show their influences very heavily in their songs and alot of the time it just doesn’t work. Not the case at all with this lot. Where’s Your Money Gone is so simplistically perfect and brilliant, if it had been released forty years ago it would have been a Jefferson Airplane classic. It’s not a rip off and it’s not dated, it’s just perfect example of a style that’s timeless.

I skipped Fade Into You when it first started because I wanted to hear another track like the first. Fortunately I’ve gone back and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it since. It sounds a little like the Cranberries and again it’s not complicated, just a simple, lovely song to listen to with a few splf’s. Would have sat perfectly in Empire Records.

Take Me Home seems to be the bands most listened too song (well, it is the most listened too song TT, why make it complicated? – Ed). Take Me Home is like Ian Brown singing for the Velvet Underground. Heavier than the previous tracks and fucking brilliant. Jesus, this band are amazing! That trudgeE bass, those haunting, distant guitars and yer man’s voice are so spot on. Just looked and there’s six more songs!!! Savage.

Black Eyes is closer to a Smashing Pumpkins kind of number. Not the old stuff but you could easily imagine Billy Corgan singing over this one with a string backing. Nice quiet number. You’re Making This Hard is next and it sees the sound returning to the sixties, Velvet Underground style. Lead singer, Danda sings on this. When ever he takes the mike, you immediately think of that classic Stone Roses, Madchester style, while Lydia brings in that Andy Warhol, New York, Doors-esque sixties nostalgia. It’s a good mix and both styles compliment each other surprisingly well.

Heartbreak is a little more like an Oasis album track while Blackboots Blackhearts is a general mix of all the previous styles with a leaning more towards the Stone Roses kind of sound. Listen, I think that’s enough describing them. They’re brilliant, really, really enjoyable for any smokers out there.

Overall, one of the top five bands that I’ve found since starting the MySpace Reviews. Go check out their MySpace now.

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Oliver Cole – What Will You Do? (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News, Single Review with tags , , , , , on October 2, 2009 by Tickets There

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In Tickets There’s opinion, Oliver Cole is one of Ireland’s finest songwriters. After three incredible albums with his former band Turn, he’s now taking the first steps to launch his debut solo record. Since Turn disbanded three years ago, Ollie has spent most of the time writing, recording and playing sporadic solo shows around the country. Now, with a fresh record deal with EMI in place, he’s ready to show his eager fan base what he’s been up to.

For fans of Ollie’s solo material, What Will You Do? might seem like a strange choice for the album’s first single. It’s an ‘out of the ordinary’ little number that sounds like….well, it sounds like Ollie. It’s off beat piano, thumping drums and the start-stop feel of the choppy chorus and bridges. All this considered, it works quite well. There’s a lot of repetition in the lyrics  but each verse, chorus and break see’s something new being added and at a short three minutes in length, it never manages to go stale. It’s quirky enough to keep any first time listener interested and strong enough to make the single appealing to anyone wishing to spend €5 on a sure thing.

Second track, Holding Your Heart is a much more straight forward number. It starts off nice and quietly before the band come bursting in with a loud sound that still manages to stay slightly contained. This keeps a constant feeling of building throughout the whole song that does (you’ll be happy to know) get released at the end.

Sweet & Soft is the final song on the single and it’s a lot softer than the previous numbers. Its style is also quite different ,which is a big characteristic of Ollie’s solo material. Off course some traits can never be forgotten (and shouldn’t be anyways) and Ollie’s love for harmonies and melody shine through on this number. It’s got a nice, sweet, well rounded kind of feel and adds a lovely closing feeling to the single.

Now that the first single is out, fans can expect the album to follow early next year, Keep checking Tickets There for more information about future release and a review of last night’s launch show will be posted later today.

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Ollie Cole – New Single Launch Tomorrow!!

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags , , , on September 30, 2009 by Tickets There

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Ah, a little break between KISS articles (but you’ll all be happy to know that the Alive III review is half finished to soon my precious, soon.

In the mean time, I wanted to remind everyone (that means you guy) that Oliver Cole (the artist formally known as Ollie Cole from Turn) will be launching his first ever solo single, What Will Ya Do, tomorrow in Dublin’s Odessa Club.

Ollie has some nifty solo material and this show will be well worth heading into and you even get a free copy of the single when you pay for your ticket (which are €10 on the door).

For more information about Ollie’s solo news and other dates around the country, check out my previous blog – CLICK HERE

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Tickets there – Irish Playlist: Friday, September 25th

Posted in General Tickets There Blog, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 25, 2009 by Tickets There

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Maybe try and start this as a new feature, a weekly playlist of irish tracks Tickets There is currently listening to.

  1. Ash – Uncle Pat

We all know Ash. Most of us love Ash. They just seem to get better and better with time but this week it’s Uncle Pat Time. What a fecking classic riff. Tim’s voice is one of those you either love or hate and Tickets There loves it. The guitars are so strong, the voice is so light and it works.

  1. 2.       Future Kings of Spain – You Dream In Solid Gold

Mourning the loss of Tickets There’s prime choice for Irelands leading underground band, The Future Kings of Spain with the excellent You Dream in Solid Gold. Just one of many amazing tracks for their second album Nervousystem which I still advise everyone to go out and buy. Teach you what you’re missing when you ignore Irish acts.

  1. Future Kings of Spain – Disappear

I know it’s not ‘cool’ to have the same band appear twice on the same list but |I| couldn’t care less, this is what Tickets There is listening to. Maybe I should explain something, when we find good music, we listen to it. We know there’s a lot of music out there and a lot of people are in a panic to hear absolutely every single note ever played but TT doesn’t go in for that. We don’t like jumping from one band to another every forty seconds. Instead, we find bands of quality, substance and talent and stick with them until they lose it.

Future Kings Disappear is a fantastic song. Atmospheric and classic. Great choice for anyone in mourning.

  1. Bell X1 – Snakes & Snakes

Was doing a review of the Bellies Music in Mouth album earlier and I’ve had this song on repeat ever since. Great track, always nice to revisit this classic album.

  1. Jaded Sun – Higher

This band caught me by surprise. I can’t believe how good they are and they only improve with age. Honestly I have their MySpace page open 24 hours a day listening to them. Cant wait to pick this album up tomorrow.

  1. One Day International – Little Death

Did a review of this track several months ago and I still enjoy it, great wee song. Haven’t been tempted to see them live yet as I like a little more meat in my music for a gig but maybe one day.

  1. The Flaws – Out Tonight

Not normally a fan of this type of music but I think the Flaws do a fairly decent job with this track. II suppose this would be considered an old one at this stage but Tickets There is in no way cutting edge I’m afraid.

  1. Female Hercules – Inside You

I’m pretty sure that every single time I try and write a ‘What I’m listening to now’ blog, I include this song every single time. Well worth a go if you haven’t heard them before. For fans of hardcore J

  1. Humazi – Straight Lines

Come on lads, get the bloody album out!

  1. Neosupervital – Now That I’ve Found

One of the best dance / pop songs ever written by an irish act and a great tune to set you in a good mood. Expect many a blog today about the simple joys of listening to Neosupervital.

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Future Kings of Spain – 2000 – 2009

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags , , , , on September 24, 2009 by Tickets There

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Hi all,

This is a pretty sad day. It seems Tickets There’s personal choice for this countries leading band have decided to call it a day (either that or they’re taking a dig at my History post).

This follows weeks of rumours that the band had called it quits (I see your Google searches ;)) and unfortunately it really seems to be true. I’m pretty sure this is the saddest news I’ve had to write about yet.

Go to their MySpace Now to Read the bands blog.CLICK HERE

The reasons for the spilt might be pretty clear but that’s all for another time, have a look at the bands excellent video for Syndicate from their second album, Nervousystem.

FutureKingsofSpain

future-kings-of-spain-nervousystem

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HY-GIY?: Jape – Ritual

Posted in Album Review, Hy-Giy, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , on September 7, 2009 by Tickets There

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If you read my blog you should know three things. 1, I have a frightening love for Sheffield’s finest rock band, Def Leppard. 2, I like tearing into terrible bands and ridiculing them to the point where it just inst professional and I make very few apologies to fans or band members for the way I discuss them and three, I consider Jape to be one of Irelands finest talents ever produced and last year, he sealed that claim with his third album, Ritual.

Ritual was without a doubt my favorite Irish album of 2008 and one of best ever to come out of this country as far as I’m concerned. Yes I know Enya has a lot of albums to compete with but let’s leave that aside shall we!. Richie Egan is one of very far artists making experimental music and getting it right pretty much every time.  No matter what style of song, effect or theme Richie deals with, he still manages to back everything up with inarguably good melodies; structure, imagination and a strong musical backbone (take note bands!). Before Ritual he had the poorly received Cosmosphere and the underground smash The Monkeys in the Zoo Have More Fun than Me which spawned the massive cult single Floating. However Ritual brought all of Richie and co’s onstage energy as well as his styles and writing to a peak they hadn’t managed to release on either of the first two albums.  

Opening with the well weathered Christopher and Anthony, the album gets a feverish grip of dance beats, electronic samples and Richies unique lyrical style that fans hoped would play a more dominant role of this record than the previous albums. Despite it having all this, second track I Was A Man bombards in and ups the bar 100%. Previously, Floating was the dance highlight on Japes set and fans but he has worked hard to ensure this is pushed to mid-set and his newer work gets the attention instead in order to prove he isn’t a one hit wonder and I Was a Man proves this no end. All the dancey beats, anthem styled lyrics and changes any human could want from their bands. The overall chaos of the song is best seen live but as studio recordings go, you couldn’t ask anymore from this song.

Replays hops in at third and is again surprisingly upbeat and dance oriented. It’s one of those songs that just simple, cut n grab pop. Not the kind of pop you’ll see on X-factor anytime soon, I mean good f**king pop. Once again it’s impulsively catchy, upbeat and a full on stormer of a dance floor hit. Maybe if RTE felt compelled to play Irish music more often, this song, along with many more from the album might have actually reached the country. Ah well, there only the national broadcaster. Can’t expect them to start endorsing Irish talent when there’s easy ratings to be found with international crap. If you’re reading this and you work for RTE I say to you, Go F**k Yourself you absolute waste of an organization!!

(In a ranty mood today, had to put a Happy Mondays review on hold because I wrote 500 words of complaining). Graveyard follows and gives the album one of its most relaxed moments. Lyrics are interesting and worth reading if you can find them on the net. The song just has an overall sublime melody and flow that’s just so easily enjoyable and mellow. Bringing the quality up even further is the incredibly melodic and well loved, Phil Lynott. Hard to describe why this song is so special but its worth getting this album just to hear it, never mind the other songs and seeing it live is even better.

The dance tone returns with the bouncy Streetwise. Like Replays, this is pure pop and is followed by the albums most prominent reminder of Japes Monkeys style. At the Heart of all this Strangeness is the albums most stripped back piece of music. Acoustic guitar arrangements, mixed with low melodies and Japes quiet vocals striving to stay above the music’s volume. Absolutely fantastic song and one of the few singer/songwriter style arrangements that Tickets There fully endorses. Apple in the Orchard follows with another beat laden, smack your face anthem. This song has one of the catchiest chorus of all the songs on this album and there is some very stiff completion. Another crackin’ anthem, Strike Me Down, follows and gives Richie’s set yet another classic dance fueled hit for his live show. Final song, Nothing Lasts Forever has a real Moby-ish style piano melody and haunting vocals with a great bassy drive. Incredible stuff all round.

That’s all I can really say. I reviewed this album for Drop-D when it came out last year and its quality has been diminished one bit. It’s as strong, original and enjoyable as the day it came out. If you haven’t heard Jape I advice a trip to his MySpace and I’m sure you’ll have the album on your stereo by 6.00pm this evening.

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Missing Electric Picnic?

Posted in General Tickets There Blog, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , on September 5, 2009 by Tickets There

Well don’t be upset, there’s much better things you can do with €240, the line-ups crap and lets be honest, it attracts 30,000 of Ireland’s wannabe hippies. The sort of people who love their hemp trousers, their pathetic looking dreadlocks and complaining that socialism is the way our country should go. Even worse is the families which are now being encouraged to go.

Anyways, don’t be upset. Here’s a couple if clips from last years festival to scrape the blues away.

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MYSPACE REVIEW – ASH (RETURN OF WHITE RABBIT)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, MySpace Review, Single Review with tags , , , , , on June 3, 2009 by Tickets There

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Not a real MySpace Review but instead a look at Ash’s new single. Have some of their albums but have never had the pleasure of seeing them live.

Well, for anyone thinking the loss of Charlotte Hatherley would hurt Ash you’re about to get a serious wake up call. Return of White Rabbit is basically the promotional single for their novel A-Z Single series which will see the band release 26 singles every two weeks starting this September. The song sees the band return to their perfect pop foundations as they mix unbelievably crunchy bass riffs and samples with one hell of a catchy chorus. If this isn’t a dance floor favourite in the next week then there’s something seriously wrong with people.

I think I may be too hungry to describe this song properly so I’m just going to say this, download it! Download it now and be happy on this sunny Saturday.

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MYSPACE REVIEW – HOLY ROMAN ARMY

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, MySpace Review with tags , , on June 3, 2009 by Tickets There

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After an extremely long and underproductive break (our vinyl habit took over again, sorry all), we’re back and ready for action. No long intro, lets jump straight into it.

Todays choice is Holy Roman Army, an Irish band based in Dublin but originally from Carlow (according to their MySpace). I’ve never heard their album or seem them live. I picked them because I studied Classics in Uni and I liked the name 🙂 (yes, I keep switching between We and I. Just pretend I’m/We’re a schizophrenic).

Well, it appears I’ve stumbled on one of Irelands best kept secrets. Imagine this, an Irish band playing piss pour chick electronic music. Who’d have thought with this sea of culturally driven artists currently dominating the countries clubs and venues. Wait, sorry, that’s all bullshit. Irish people’s tastes have gone as bad as their dress sense. I’d forgotten just how bad poncy Irish bastards like their music to be. Elegy opens the short set of three tracks. Can’t really say music. A slow beat, very little hint of melody and sounds like they just played for one minute of the four minutes and thirty six seconds and pressed loop. Sounds a little like the cranberries under water. Next (and yeah, am I looking forward to writing yet another fucking bad review of a band. It’s every critics dream to just find shit every single fucking time they try and promote their nations talent).

Dublin in the Deadlight is so boring (and I’m sure to some listeners inspiring, atmospheric and enchanting…retards, try listening to real music and you might cop on a little). Pretty much the same thing again except the cheesy lyrics are more coherent. “Fractured Lights, I do not know her name, I do not know how to get back home“, Basically the sound of a band trying their hardest to be different while still doing their best to connect with all the spa’s you see around this countries towns and cities with blue tooth headsets and take away coffee’s because their too busy to either sit or hold a phone. God save us from the humiliation we lash on ourselves.

Stagger Gently Home is last and probably least. Broken beats with no hint of anything enjoyable. A total mess of nonsensical gibberish and badly placed instrumentals. Basically, this I the kind of thing Jape can do and make it truly special, while The Holy Roman Army just make it so boring you’d rather stare at the wall than stick on their cd.

Avoid, Avoid, Avoid. Roman armies of the past deserve more respect than this shower.

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MURPHY’S LIVE SEMI-FINALS 2008 – BRAVADO Vs Stagger Lee + CATHY DAVEY

Posted in Gig Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , on April 5, 2008 by Tickets There

Whelan’s was packed to the rafters as it hosted the ’Murphy’s Live 2008’ semi finals. Even after the doors had been opened there was still a queue of people stretching back to the front of the pub. The heat inside the venue was so heavy you could barely move without breaking sweat. The tickets hadn’t lied about having to be inside early.

Two bands were on hand to compete against each other for a place in the final round of the competition. ’Stagger Lee’ an incredibly talented and professional quartet with a sound that fuses ’PJ Harvey, Garbage and Sonic Youth’ and ’Bravado’ a fresh young band who are proving themselves with every performance they give. On first sight it’s easy to be pessimistic due to their age but once they play you can hear great potential in their future. Also on the bill, as special guest headliner, is the Award winning and extremely talented and energetic ’Cathy Davey’ who won the award for ’Best Irish Female’ and was nominated in the ’Best Irish Album’ category for her second studio output ’Tales of Silversleeve’ at last years Meteor’s.

First up was ’Stagger Lee’ who did everything in their power to get the crowd energetic from the word go. They had already upped their promotion by providing free badges at the door for all in attendance and were also selling promotional T-shirts. Everything about Stagger’s performance was tight, despite a couple of instances involving high heels and microphone cables; they had their set down to a T, delivering a nice mixture of punk esque rock songs and slower relaxed material. Donna McCabe (vocals) voice gave the songs a ’PJ Harvey, Siouxsie Sioux, Shirley Mason’ feel and the music had an overall 90’s grunge sound about it with some crunchy Bass lines. Tracks such as ’Between Control Confusion, Misery River and their debut single ’Bad shoes’ serve as a taste of thing’s to come when they release their next EP.

’Bravado’ came on second and so did their fans. One thing about being in one of these competitions, ensure your friends, family and fans are there on the night to cheer you on. The lads were a little slower to relax into their set, which I’m sure was on account of the massive crowd in front of them and their inexperience with shows this size, however lead singer Brian Whittington didn’t seem phased in the slightest as he belted into tracks from their first EP including Running, Artificial AngelsOne Day and more recent material like ’Any Other Way, Take your Pick and Too Tired to Sleep’ and

This was the second time I have seen Bravado and they have grown enormously since the quarter finals. On first sight of Stager Lee the thought passed my mind that Bravado were now out of their depth, however they once again surprised me and I’m sure many others. The judges have a very tough decision in front of them and no matter who gets through to the finals; both bands have proven they’ve got what it takes.

As the judges reconvened on the balcony to discuss Bravado and Stager Lee’s performances, Cathy Davey came on stage to a rapturous cheer. Cathy’s recent residency shows around the country, awards and recent singles are really paying off and this could be one of the last chances to see her, not only for free, but in a venue as intimate as Whelan’s. She is set to play the Olympia in June and hopefully, she will follow in the footsteps of Damien Rice, Bell X1, Glen Hansard and Paddy Casey to international acclaim and stardom.

Although this wasn’t Cathy’s night, she preformed with the same grace, power and energy she always does. Opening with ’Mr Kill’ from her new album, she played a fantastic set which included old favorites such as Swing It, Yak Yak’ and new material from ’Tales of Silversleeve’ such as ’Reuben, Sing for your Supper, Collector’ and ’Moving’ which blended perfectly with her debut album material.

Mouth pressed firmly into the microphone, covered in sweat (like every one else in the venue), Cathy closed the night with a single encore and proceeded straight to the fresh cold air awaiting us all outside. Another hugely enjoyable Murphy’s Live evening of music and certainly a reason to start applying for tickets to the final as your guaranteed at least one incredible talent to go through from tonight.


Cathy Davey


Stagger Lee


Bravado


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Concerto for Constantine – Fibber Magee’s AGAIN – March 17th 2008

Posted in Gig Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , on March 18, 2008 by Tickets There

St. Patrick’s Day in the capital always seemed like too much of a nightmare to get involved in. For years I have avoided going near the town on ‘Ireland’s biggest drinking day’. So being forced to choose between another Paddy’s day on the couch or Concerto for Constantine live in Fibber Magee’s was …..not that difficult J

Entering the capital was a little strange. Talbot street was packed with people walking towards Connolly station. Little green hats and American accents filled the eye’s and the ears for the 10 minute walk, St. Patrick had arrived. Once on O’Connell street, it was very clear that most people had already left the northside. The pubs were half full, the streets were as busy as a normal Friday night (possibly quieter).

Concerto were scheduled to go on stage at 7.30. Whoever, the site of two dozen people, some of them young children, caused the management and the lads to agree on 10:00 o’clock instead.

Across the road I settled down in an amazing pub called ‘The Shakespeare’. Possibly the funniest pub in Dublin. I advise everyone to check this place out because you’ll never see anything else like it. Just think of Father Ted’.

By 9:45 it was time to head back to Fibbers. The crowd had certainly changed by them. The kids and families were gone (thank god) and the second support band were just finishing up. The crowds were nothing like those at Concerto’s last headlining show in Fibbers three weeks previously. Although, for a show with no advertising, no official announcements and changing stage times, there was enough of an attendance to show Concerto have already established a dedicated fan base.

Concerto eventually got to the stage at 10:30. Forthcoming single ‘Minsk’ once again opened their set. A song that only gets better everything you hear it. Unfortunately, Paddy’s day drinking got the better of me and I can’t remember the exact set list. I can remember ‘Gap’s, Cat’s Cradle, WASP’s’, and new song ‘Knife’ all being played to the high standards Concerto have set for themselves. Even Gavin’s Bass head shorting out didn’t manage to kill the mood of the night.

The set was short, although packed with nothing but incredibility savage rock songs. For a band with no release’s and only a handful of shows under their belt it’s a lot more than you would normally expect. ‘Killing Fields’ closed the show. Afterwards the band jumped of the stage and put their bumpiest show yet behind them.

Despite the changing stage times, no advertising, faulty equipment and missing members, Concerto pulled off another fantastic show. Afterwards, the members left early enough as the band were heading to London the next day for their first English dates. Hopefully they will come back to our shores with AnR interest.

 Be sure to catch Concerto at Whelan’s on the 15th of April and (not or) the IMRO showcase gig at the Suagar Club on the 11th April.

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Concerto For Constantine – Fibber Magees – Feb 22nd 08

Posted in Gig Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , on March 14, 2008 by Tickets There

Concerto for Constantine’s first headlining show in Fibber Magee’s last Friday was certainly an experience I hope to cherish for some time. Fresh from supporting the Smashing Pumpkins at their recent Irish dates, this three piece have managed to form, rehearse and write some ridiculously great ‘in your face’ rock songs all in the last 5 months. How do they do it? well, when you have of Mark Greaney (former JJ72 voice box and axe man), Gavin Fox (formally of Irish indie legends ‘Turn’ and Scottish favourites ‘Idelwild”) and off course, Paul ‘Binzer’ Brennan (who has played with The Frames, Bell X and Mundy, just to name but a few) together, it’s going to be special…or more to the point, it’s Concerto for Constantine and on Friday they ‘ROCKED!’

Support of the night was provided by ‘Power, Jazz trio’ Simon and the Ghost. The group manage to distance themselves from the over ego’d Irish scene they seem to dislike but unfortunately they don’t seem to have the songs to make a real go off it yet. I will say that Jazz to me is like a heater in an igloo, just doesn’t make sense but they are very good at what they do, so for any fans out there, check em out and make your own mind up.

Concerto hit the stage at 10.30 and wasted no time in getting down to business. They opened with ‘Minsk’, a hard, fast, adrenaline fuelled rock n roll anthem that is destined to becoming a fast radio favourite. ‘Minsk’ set the tone for the night as there was no let up in the set. ‘Wasps, Cat’s Cradle, Knife’ and a host of other newly written songs were belted out by the band and sounded like they had been playing them for years. While watching the set, it became very hard to remember they had only formed so recently. It was also hard not to notice the band enjoying them selves so much which can be very rare on our cold, motionless scene these days. Concerto are enjoying what they are doing. Three guys who have played for long enough to understand the importance of having fun.
After an hour and some change they were finished leaving ‘Killing Fields’ to close the set as there was no encore, explained by Mark as being a result of having “no more songs left to play”.

It may have been a short gig by a very new group but it was a certainly the first of many for one of Ireland’s brightest hope’s for a great Hard Rock Band.

Wasps
Cats Cradle
Silver
Falling
Every Thing
Knife
Gaps
Killing Fields

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MURPHY’S LIVE 2008 – The Future Kings of Spain – Superjimenez – Bravado

Posted in Gig Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , on March 14, 2008 by Tickets There

Whelan’s was the setting for the Murphy’s Live 2008, Dublin Quarter Finals. Two Dublin groups were there to battle it out for a chance of winning the grand prize, €10,000 towards studio time, an EP launch, a record deal, a six month management contract and record distribution.

Before saying anything about either group, I have to point out that I was really only there for the FKOS, who are, without a doubt, the greatest rock band to emerge out of Ireland in many a year. Their second album ‘Nervousystem’ is a testament to their song writing skills and their live show is always something to bask in. Therefore I thought of the first two acts of the show as a nuisance I had to sit through in order to see the kings.…how very wrong I was.

Bravado were first to try their luck with the crowd and judges. A very young group from North Dublin who, despite their inexperience and youth, put on one of the best shows I have seen from an unknown group in awhile. Describing their sound would be a challenge in itself. Each song was unique while still maintaining an overall formula. Although you could hear The Clash, Artic Monkeys, The Who and the Stone Roses all dying to break out.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Superjimenez managed to pull of the same show as Bravado. Although they looked the part, were all very experienced musicians and they were much tighter than Bravado, there was something missing. They commanded the stage well, especially for a newer group and managed to really get the crowd going. Their only downfall was their songs. Although the bass lines were something special and the guitars had some shredding moments, the overall package seemed ‘done before’. The U2 and Killers influence was much too obvious. The singer was no Bono, but the Edge was casting a shadow on this group.
The Future Kings of Spain closed the night with their usual energetic performance. Joey, Karl, Bryan and Anton breezed through a great set (taken mainly from ‘Nervousystem’) with such ease and performance it served as a great example to Bravado and Superjimenez how it’s all done. ‘Guess Again’, ‘One More Mistake’, Kick in the Teeth’ and ‘Syndicate’ are all delivered with such passion, they have managed to blend in perfectly with old favourites like ‘Venetian Blinds’, ‘Meanest Sound’ and ‘Hanging Around’. Although it isn’t their show, the Kings manage to steal the night and show a few new faces why they were chosen as head liners.

Set List:
Guess Again
One More Mistake
1981
This is the End
Venetian Blinds
Upside Down
Disappear
Kick in the Teeth
Face I Know
Meanest Sound
Hanging Around
Syndicate

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JAPE and The Mighty Stef – Craw Daddy – Nov 23rd 2007

Posted in Gig Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , on March 14, 2008 by Tickets There

Well it’s a Friday, the greatest Day and Night of the week. NO matter how messed up you get on A Friday, you still have two days left to get over it which has to be a great consolation for everyone…except people who have to work weekends, haha.

So I finished work early cause I had to attend a team event, what’s that you ask? Well it’s when your forced to go out on your own free time with work people under the guise that ‘your going to have fun’. Ends up very silly with non stop Work chat, so I decided to bale, hopped on a dart and went for town to see the fantastic JAPE live.
Now, I notice that all my reviews, except for the Police, seem to be very positive, but I have to say, I haven’t gone to a bad gig in a while (except for the Police) and tonight was no exception to this. Straight in the door, a lovely surprise Guest Spot from The Mighty Stef was a nice start to the evening. Playing solo and covering some of his grittiest material was perfect to forget the nonsense chatter or reports and clients I had tried to block with with bottle after bottle of Bud Light.
Jape took the stage at 9.30 and for an hour (and abit) played a truly enjoyable set. With a mix a material mostly concerned with new EP Jape is Great and his forthcoming album ???.
The new stuff is like New Order crashed into the Monkeys in the Zoo, really Dance orientated with the standard Jape sound he does so well.

Great night, cant wait for the next one and the new album.

SET LIST:

Christopher and Anthony
Gimmie Some more
Replays
GraveYard
Phil Lynnott
At The Heart
Floating
Apple in an Orchard
Nothing Lasts forever
Strike Me Down
I Was a Man

ENCORE:
Street

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