Solar Taxi – She Dies With Beautiful Teeth EP (Review)

Posted in EP Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , on May 24, 2011 by Tickets There

We liked them a year ago, now we love them. Waterford electro dance / dirty funk outfit, Solar Taxi, are back with a brand new EP and we think you need to hear it.

She Dies With Beautiful Teeth is comprised of seductively catchy and widely diversified tunes suited for every mood. In just four tracks, the band have displayed an incredible talent for writing some of the most original music you’ll hear this year. With opening track, ‘The Fool’ you’re given a taste of their well established diva dance style which is only toppled by the harder, guitar driven follow up, ‘Glass Hearts’. The styles jump from gritty 70’s funk, to rock to expansive trance, all stripped back to a stimulating melancholic state.

Peachy Peach changes things again with the bands funkier, soul side breaking through to give the EP a healthy dose of Umpf! Bass lovers would be advised to check out some full on, chucky action from Peter Vogelaar, closely flowed by some shredding guitar lead from James O’Halloran. Last track, ‘White Lights’ shows the final face of She Dies With Beautiful Teeth. An excellent song, completely different in style to the other three and one that really serves singer, Aisling Browne’s voice exceptionally well and shows a depth that really stands out against a toned down background.

Excellent work from start to finish and without a doubt a band you’ll be hearing a lot more about over the coming months. In a decade when bands are so determined to stand out, but yet are too afraid to follow the long established guidelines of popular music, it’s comforting to know there’s still a few acts out there who can do it all.

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(Updated) The Walls Announce June Dublin Show

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 24, 2011 by Tickets There

The Walls have announced their first Dublin show of 2011. In between a host of summer festivals, the band will stop of in the capital with their highly praised two man live show. Ticket’s are priced €13.50 and are on sale now through Entertainment.ie and it’s all taking place at Liffey street’s Grand Social venue on June 30th.

Last month The Walls released the Bird In A Cage EP, the first new material since 2005’s New Dawn Breaking. They’re currently building up hype for the release of their third album, Stop The Lights, which is rumoured to hit shelves next year.

See the Walls live in 2011:

June
Friday 10th – Temple House Festival, Ballymote Co. Sligo (Two Man Show)
Thursday 16th – DeBarras, Clonakilty, Co. Cork (Two Man Show)
Friday 17th – McCarthy’s, Dingle, Co. Kerry (Acoustic / electric show)
Saturday 18th – Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork City (Two Man Show)
Sunday 26th – Sea Sessions, Bundoran, Co. Donegal (Full Band)
Thursday 30th – Grand Social, Dublin City (Two Man Show)

July
Friday 15th – Galway Arts Festival – Monroes Live, Galway (Two Man Show)

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Beastmen – EP2 (Review)

Posted in Music with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 23, 2011 by Tickets There

Ah hell yes! Beastmen are back with a new EP, a more spacious sound but! they ain’t forgetting the massive helpings of their guitar laden, riff filled instrumental metal that made us like them in the first place. We’re slightly late getting this review up but better late than never. The lads are hard at work on their 3rd EP so now’s your chance to check out what’s come before.

‘Horsehead Nebula’ kicks things off with fearsome power and energy. Full on galactic-electro dementia with massive helpings of ass kicking riffage! ‘Sunday’ is a little faster once the voice over’s and distant sirens fall off. The drums and guitars really cut a place for themselves and create a solid frame that explodes through the dense wall of noise that precedes their arrival.

‘The Streets of LV42’6 continues the post rock, electro vibes from Horsehead Nebula, but again explodes forth with some high toned guitars that wrap themselves around a sinister melody. Excellent tense/building in the structure and no sings of this EP letting up.

‘Intrö’ drops all the abundant space effects and retreats to the bands always excellent basic guitar, bass and drum formula for two and a half minutes of excellent instrumental rock. Beastmen always avoid the pit falls of knocking out normal tunes minus the vocals and always give the songs a proper playing field and Intrö is just another taste of this. El Maniaco Contra el Monstruo is exactly what you think it’ll be. Full-on Spanish styled desperado / Tarantino ‘situation ‘ music. Great finish to an excellent EP.

As mentioned, the band are working on EP3 and Tickets There cannot wait. Stream EP2 now on their official Bandcamp page and prepare to let a new band into your life.

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Seamus O’Muineachain – Conflicts at the Sermon EP (Review)

Posted in EP Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , on May 23, 2011 by Tickets There

Looking to put a little transcendence into your day? If so, you’d be justified in checking out Seamus O’Muineachain’s brand new EP, Conflicts at the Sermon. Comprised of three original pieces, the EP is a dark, haunting collection of eerie melodic compositions, mixed through traditional Irish structures (Most notably ‘Away With The Fairies’ bearing the brunt of that description). For classical lovers, ‘I’m Trying To Escape’ is the real highlight with it’s rolling piano melodies and depth.

No we’re not used to reviewing classical music but this is a lovely EP worth checking out. It’s dark in tone but lovely to have in the background for your relaxing Monday. Stream the whole EP for free now at Seamus’ official BandCamp page.

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Ryan Sheridan (Interview 11th May 2011)

Posted in Interview, Music with tags , , , , , , , , on May 22, 2011 by goodgutterpress

With a debut album ‘The Day You Live Forever’ in the bag, Ryan Sheridan brings his brand of high temp acoustic rock to Set Theatre, Kilkenny tonight. With single ‘Jigsaw’ getting loads of airplay and supporting slots with The Script recently in the O2 the Monaghan man is set for big things. Tickets There caught up with Sheridan before the gig to talk about the new record, living inNew York and Riverdance.  

Tickets There: Firstly, how’s the tour going so far?

Ryan: The tour is going brilliant so far. It’s full crowds every night, you know we’ve had a great response. People already know some of the songs from the album so I’m over the moon about that. Yeah it’s going really really well.

Tickets There: “The day you live forever” was released on Friday. Can you tell me a little bit about it? For example, how would you describe the album?

Ryan: It has been along time coming – this album. I think it’s a bit of a storyboard of my life that started years ago. There are some songs in there that were conceived in New York and then I started writing for the album so it’s a bit of a storyboard. There’s a bit of everything for everybody kind of thing.

Tickets There: You left Ireland in your teens and went to the US to perform with Riverdance. With so much time spent over there are there many American influences on the record?

Ryan: I got immersed in bluegrass in a big way because I’ve a bit of a traditional head so I would have to say I was drawn to that and that comes out on the album. Also Jeff Buckley was very influential around that time and Tom Waits.

Tickets There: Has performing as a dancer for Riverdance influenced your musical style?

Ryan: Yeah it definitely has. I was away since I was fifteen years old until I was twenty-two so its definitely influenced the live shows. Plus I was a fiddle player at one stage so that influenced my style as well.

Tickets There: In 2004 you moved from New York to Glasgow. What brought you to Scotland?

Ryan: I came back to New York after being a way for a little bit but I didn’t fancy it at the time so a friend of mine was playing music in Glasgow and that’s when I moved over there and decided to start a band. I felt I wanted to expand a bit. I was kind of a singer songwriter on the acoustic guitar and then I went to Glasgow and that was more of a band sense there. And I think there things were a little bit more experimental. I was trying to get a few things out of my head. You know I was working on guitar riffs and I was trying to develop a bigger sound.

Tickets There: And did you find it easy to make that progression from being a dancer with Riverdance to writing songs?

Ryan: Yeah it was, but it was also exciting and it was new. It all started in New York doing the pubs and clubs. But when I was in New York I was living on my own for a long time as well so you have to channel it some ways and song writing seemed to do that and so Glasgow took things further again. It was more instrumental and I wanted a bigger sound

Tickets There: What brought you back home to Ireland?

Ryan: I was sick of partying in Glasgow and so I decided to come back and try out Dublin for a while and I was looking for a drummer and I got on the internet and I found Artur my percussionist and that’s how we met for the first time.

Tickets There: I went to see you play on the weekend and it was great, I really enjoyed it. It was obvious to me that there is a strong musical relationship between you and Artur. You seem to have formed a tight unit, which for some acts takes years.

Ryan: Yeah it’s kind of strange. You know a fellow from Poland and a fellow form Monaghan playing together. But we started busking and jamming and it blended together really well. He’s hard to listen to sometimes and musically he’s alright [laughs].

Tickets There: You were first noticed by the manager of the Olympia theatre – Brian Whitehead. Can you tell me a little bit about how that happened?

Ryan: We were busking just last year in Temple Bar and lucky enough we got moved a few times by the Guards and then we said we try this one more spot. We started playing there and then I got a business card thrown into the guitar case. And then at the end of the day I was looking at it and I was thinking I know that name so I gave him a ring and it all just took off from there. A year later the album is out and I’m touring around the country. It was just meant to be.

Tickets There: The album is out on Rubyworks who also has the likes of Gavin Friday Sinead O’Connor and Fight Like Apes on their roster. What are they like as label?

Ryan:  Rubyworks are great. They’re very hands on. It’s a small independent label so. It’s possible a lot of the time to be a small fish in a small pond

Tickets There: Joe Chester produced the album. What was he like to work with?

Ryan: He was brilliant I have to say. He took us through our paces. He told us when to start and stop and helped us get what we needed out of our heads. And I’d say he helped to bring a very organic feel to it.

Tickets There: You played Oxygen last year and you are playing again this year. What is it like to play the festival circuit compared to smaller venues?

Ryan: I have to say I love the festivals. It’s just a totally different atmosphere. Everyone there for the music you know and people are tipsy all day and having the craic. Plus I think the songs sound great on the bigger stages. The bigger the better I say. 

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Tickets There Wants You! Contributors Needed!

Posted in General Tickets There Blog, News with tags , , , , , on May 22, 2011 by Tickets There

  • Love Irish music?
  • Sick of seeing our home grown artists getting passed over for the GaGa’s and Perry’s?
  • Interested in writing?

Tickets There, Ireland’s sexiest music blog, is coming back from the dead and we want you to write for us. We’re looking for contributors willing to give up their free time to help promote and celebrate the hundreds in incredible acts that come out of Ireland every year.

Details and plans are currently being drawn up, but if you’re interested, send us a mail at ticketsthere@hotmail.com and we’ll be happy to share more.

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Congratulations to The Riptide Movement and The Fallen Drakes

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags , , , , , , on May 20, 2011 by Tickets There

Tickets There would like to wish The Riptide Movement and The Fallen Drakes on landing support slots for Bon Jovi’s two RDS shows in June. The Rip’s will be support the Jov on June 29th and The Drakes will be taking the stage with Bonny on the 30th.

Both bands are former Tickets There MySpace Review subjects and we like to think that it’s fully thanks to us that both bands have managed to carve an incredible reputation on the Irish music scene over the last year. If it wasn’t for TT the whole world would fall apart and this proves it.

If you’re one of those folks that comes here for the so called ‘facts’, then in reality both bands are getting ahead because of their powerful performances and excellent music. We wish them luck in this excellent opportunity to show up the stylings of former Ally Mc Beal cast members and Def Leppard rip-off artists with their incredible energy and talent. Hopefully the thousands of natives in attendance will take note that you don’t have to look across an ocean for decent tuneage.

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JAPE Returns! New Single & Album Details Released

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags , , , , , on May 20, 2011 by Tickets There

All round musical genius Richie Egan is dusting off the Jape cloak, getting the band together and revving things up for the release of their fourth studio album. Last seen flogging his latest project, VisionAir, he’s now ready to release the follow up to 2008’s Choice Music Price-winning Ritual.

Titled Ocean of Frequency, the album is set to hit stores in September with a brand new double-A side single, titled Hands of Fire / Lying on a Deathbed hitting Irish airwaves on Friday, May 27th.

Tickets There would like to wish Richie and the lads the best of luck with the new record. We’re confident the boys have something exciting up their sleeves and we are looking forward to indulging in the fruits of their labours. Looking forward to some mighty-Jape in 2011!

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West Fest 2011 – A June Bank Holiday to Remember

Posted in Gig Listing, Music, News with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 20, 2011 by goodgutterpress

Tickets There is proud to announce West Fest 2011. This is Mayo’s answer to Oxegen/Electric Picnic but without the mud and traffic jams!

Guaranteed to be Mayo’s biggest music event of 2011, West Fest is a two day event running over the 4th and 5th of June. This will be a bank holiday to remember with the line up including amazing acts such as Imelda May, The Coronas, Republic of Loose, Sharon Shannon Big Band and special guest Damien Dempsey, Ryan Sheridan, Bagatelle, Big Generator, Brush Shiels, The Kilkennys and i102-104 Dj Fergal D’arcy.

Camping will also be available for anybody wishing to attend both nights. And there’s no need to worry about the Irish weather folks, as all the acts are under a Big Top tent which can hold up to 5000 people!   

The line up for the weekend is as follows:

Saturday 4th June: Imelda May, Republic of Loose, Brush Shiels, Big Generator, Microlip, DJ Set Hi Jackers, The Kapitals, R&B’s, The Stunts, Town Crier, Microlip, Key West

Sunday 5th June:  The Coronas, Sharon Shannon, Ryan Sheridan, Bagatelle, The Kilkennys, The Craic, Capture, N’Deed, Leaving Las Vegas, TKO, John & Emma, DJ Fergal D’arcy

West Fest will be located just off the main N17 in Aghamore, Co. Mayo and is only 2 miles from both Knock and Ballyhaunis

For further details go to www.westfest.ie

Tickets available now from www.ticketmaster.ie and they’re going fast!

For more information on accommodation and amenities in the Mayo area, check out www.discoverireland.ie

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It’s Oh so Quiet….

Posted in General Tickets There Blog, Music, News with tags , , , , on May 18, 2011 by Tickets There

This is what happens when you leave the internet for a while, things go arse ways! Yesterday I logged through the phone for a quick peak at the news and what did I discover? One of my favourite Irish Music Blogs, Harmless Noise, is closing down forever. The blogs owner, chief architect and all-round voice of music, Naomi McArdle, has decided to wind down the blog and apparently her writing career for good.

Beginning on the Hotpress blog ‘Off Her Rocker’, Nay started Harmless Noise in 2009 and within a very short space of time, had etched out a highly regarded position for her-self amongst the Dublin music scene. Over the past two years she has strived to find, promote and love as many of our home-grown talents as possible. She always has a good ear (aside from Bats, I won’t give in Nay!) and always set the standard for getting out and going to see these bands in person.

Nay has put up with some hard times over the past two years but the support she’s received from her readers and the bands she strives to promote shows that blogging is beneficial to the music scene, as there are very few main stream outfits who are bothered giving these bands any coverage. Her blog is a bench mark for all serious bloggers if they want to achieve their goal of properly publicizing our own bands and artists. Her unmeasurable hard work and sacrifice to keep the blog going, in good times and bad, is a testament to her love and devotion for Ireland’s music scene.

Of course it wasn’t boredom or lack of interest or love that’s brought Harmless Noise to a close, it wasn’t even the occasional fruitcake that pops up on all blogs at one time or another. Nay has no shortage of love for what she does and is more than capable of handling the masked nastiness of the internet’s troll community. I won’t go into the reasons as it’s not my business and you’re better reading it for yourself on Harmless Noises’ last ever post located here: This Is The Last One I Will Spin   

Harmless Noise will be sorely missed by her friends, her readers but most importantly the bands she worked so hard for. There is now one less credible, hard working source out there to find and write about our music, closing that window of opportunity to younger artists just a little bit more, as if it wasn’t hard enough for them already.

To Nay we say good luck and we hope to see you back soon!

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The Very Best of John Lennon @ The Town Hall Theatre, Galway (Wed 11th May) Theatre Review

Posted in Gig Review, Music on May 17, 2011 by goodgutterpress

On occasions when theatre and pop music have collided the results have not often been pretty. Some things just do not work well together. Automatically We Will Rock You; the jukebox musical based on the songs of Queen springs to mind. Due in part to Bono’s superhero complex, U2s efforts recently to make it on Broadway have also resulted in the doomed theatrical production of Spiderman.  

So as I relaxed in the bar of Galway’s Tall Hall Theatre in anticipation for tonight’s Very Best of John Lennon; (an event inspired by the musician’s life) I couldn’t help but think about what a pantomime based on the life of the famous Beatle would be like and what would Lennon himself make of it.

Whether you see Lennon as some kind of philosopher or activist or simply a surly rocker with a lippy wit his life certainly deserves examination, as he is unquestionably one of the most important cultural icons of the last century.

In the lead up the 30th anniversary of the singer’s death we’ve witnessed some very dubious documentaries and feature films. Most have focused on the killing of Lennon in New York in 1980 or Lennon the activist, but none have touched on the darker sides to Lennon’s character.

Often in death we are immortalised by our good deeds. Society tends to uphold certain aspects of ones character and disregards what is deemed unpleasant. This Waterdonkey production attempts to examine those aspects of Lennon’s life that we don’t often hear about, such as the adulater, the drug addict and poor father. 

Using five actors, the show takes snippets of his life and performs them. The actors use experiences from their own lives to demonstrate how Lennon impacted on them personally. At times they address each other according to their real names and so it’s often a struggle to figure out what characters in the life of Lennon they are referring to.

The production jumps from theme to theme and from one important moment in his life to another. We see John and Yoko on the Dick Cavett Show from the 1970s speaking openly about the effects of drug use. We then jump to Cynthia Lennon witness her coming home to find Yoko dressed in her robe with John looking apologetic.

The infamous killing is also touched on – the production asks; was society at large to blame for the tragic death? But without pause for thought we quickly make another leap in time. For such a significant movement in pop culture history I felt this issue could have been examined with greater detail.

On a whole this is my only qualm with the production. It never inspects any of these themes with the great depth that they deserve. It might have been better to take one aspect, such as the killing or John’s difficult relationship with his son Julian and explore that in its entirety. The piece finishes strongly by looking at what Lennon meant when he said: “Give peace a chance” and poses the question; how can we each bring a little bit more peace into our lives?

The acting here was solid and the set design, although basic, worked perfectly. All in all, this production may leave you feeling confused or you might walk away having learnt a little bit more about the Liverpudlian. But it has to be remembered that John Lennon was only human, with many faults and problems like the rest of us.

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REM – Collapse Into Now (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, Music with tags , , , , , , , , on May 16, 2011 by goodgutterpress

When drummer, Bill Berry left REM in 1997, lead singer Michael Stipe suggested the band was now ‘a three legged dog’. With Berry off driving a tractor on his Georgian farm the remaining three members motored on in their own right. They decided against recruiting a new drummer and instead hired session musicians for live shows and recordings. However the dynamic making REM such a tight unit in the 1980s and early 90s was lost. This was obvious on 1996s Up and subsequent releases to date. So does their new record Collapse into Now continue a poor run?

The album’s opener Discoverer is one of the bands best offerings of the last decade and is reminiscent of Finest Worksong from their 1989 album Document.

With Stipe’s biting delivery and Peter Bucks searing guitar, All The Best is in the same vein as 2008s Accelerate album. Having often been cast as the elder statesman of indie rock; Stipe chooses to embellish the role as he declares “Let’s give it one more time. Let’s show the kids how to do it”.

REM songs have often used mandolin to good effect e g.  Losing My Religion. Oh My Heart capitalises on the successes of that 1991 hit single. With its memorable chorus and Peter Buck and Mike Mills providing strong backing vocals this is probably the catchiest number of the album and is guaranteed to get good airplay.

Everyday Is Yours to Win is a slow tempo sweat number that drips of sentimentality and leaves a warm feeling in your chest with lines like “I cannot tell a lie it’s not all cherry pie but it’s all there waiting for you”.

Besides its strange title, Mine Smell Like Honey is straight out of the REM textbook, with jangling guitar and lyrics about the vicissitudes of life and our endeavors to overcome them with Stipe claiming we “Dig a hole, dig it deeper and deeper. Climb a mountain, steeper and steeper”.

Alligator Aviator Autopilot Antimatter sees REM in a playful mood. However the results could be passed off as album filler with the only notable point of interest being the addition of Patti Smith on vocals and Lenny Kaye on guitar. From this point onwards it feels as though the album drifts in B-side territory. Songs like That Someone is You and Me Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and Me fail to stand out.

The album ends on a memorable note with Blue which follows the format that we heard on Belong from 1991’s Out of Time with Stipe delivering a rolling monologue over early 1990s guitar licks and Patti Smith playing her part on vocals.

For a band that was the first to be dubbed ‘alternative’ in the early 1980s this album doesn’t break any new ground. It sticks to the same generic REM formula that fans have become accustomed to over the last few decades. That said, with their pop sensibilities, enigmatic frontman and devoted fan base; REM will always do okay in the album stakes. However albums are so often judged by what preceeded them. Released twenty years ago at the height of the REM’s success, Collapse into Now would be cast as a failure, however in 2011 it’s a moderate success.

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ANVIL – Juggernaut of Justice (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, Music with tags , , , , , , on May 11, 2011 by Tickets There

The Metal Pounder’s membership has been increasing in vast numbers since 2008’s massively acclaimed documentary, Anvil: The Story of Anvil and the release of the band’s fourteenth album, Juggernaut of Justice is sure to keep the fans rolling in. After some success in the early eighties, Anvil’s story took a well documented turn for the worst before a former fan, turned Hollywood screen writer captured the band’s misfortunes, loveable comedic moments and inner band tensions during the recording of their thirteenth album, This is Thirteen. The resulting film has been described as “the greatest film yet made about rock and roll “. Besides the comedy and mishaps, it captured their never say die attitude, hard working mentality and their genuine love for music, despite the numerous obstacles thrown in their path over the decades. Only a very cold, dead inside section of humanity wouldn’t warm to the band after viewing it but for the rest of us, we now have a new Anvil album to bask in!

Juggernaut of Justice is out, it’s loud and it’s as proud as punch. Pounding, ear bleeding heaviness mixed with furious, old skool riffs, solos and teeth grinding vocals. Opening with the monster gorging Juggernaut of Justice and When Hell breaks Loose, the album really hammers it’s point in quick. No messing, no muss – no fuss. The band sound strong, unrestrainable and on fire. While some may criticize the lack of diversity, actual metal fans will bask in the belting riffiage displayed on New Orleans Voo Doo, Fucken Eh!, On Fire and This Ride because they are killer.

In the middle there’s a few repetitions, but it’s all mighty! Not Afraid, Turn It Up and Conspiracy all follow suit to form. No major adventures, but saying that each one packs it’s own ‘hard as nails’ riff core, vengeance seeking lyrics and monster metal arrangements. Not too shabby for Tickets There. Running and Paranormal change the pace a little, adding some layers to the albums closing moments and leaves you with a few choice numbers not to be ignored on repeat plays. Swing Thing is an odd Swing / Metal arrangement that…still confuses us a little. Fun anways!

Anvil have worked to stay in the game and now it’s time for their efforts to come to fruition. Juggernaut of Justice is an excellent album and deserves the attention it’ll surely get from the worldwide metal community.  Every song has its own raw intensity that repeatedly pounds the listener into a disillusioned state. Be warned kids, Juggernaut of Justice should not be tried at home without Lemmy supervision.

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Temple House: More Bands Added & Day By Day Breakdown Released

Posted in Gig Listing, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2011 by Tickets There

The Temple House Music Festival in Co. Sligo edges closer by the day and the organizers have announced hordes of new acts over the past few days that’ll be appearing over the weekend. In additional to that, they’ve also released the day by day breakdown so you’ll have a better idea when you can’t and can’t be unconscious in your tent or wrapped up by all the s**t cool stuff they’ll have waiting for you when ya need a break from the tunes.

Last week, Ryan Sheridan, Sweet Jane, Storyfold, Fighting With Wire, Wiggle, The Amazing Few, 2 Minutes 2 Midnight, Helen Smits and Tommy McNutly were all added to the line-up. They join the likes of Ash, The Walls, The Flaws, Kerbdog, Aslan, Something Happens, The Riptide Movement and many, many more who’ve already been confirmed.

The Festival takes place between June 10th and 12th with several stages, activities, arts and crafts as well as buckets of food and a medieval village to boot. For details about purchasing tickets, Click Here. Please find the full day by day breakdown below,

Friday, 10th June
Bavaria Main Stage: The Late Session with “Wiggle”, Ash, Fighting with Wire, The Walls, The Flaws, The Kanyu Tree, Inteference, 1922’s 
The Music Maker stage: DJ Wool, Arveene & Misk, The Minutes,Pilotlight, Heathers, Readers Wives, Preachers Son, Chuckys River
Acoustic Stage– Walled Garden :  Ryan Sheridan, Niceol Blue, James Humpstown, Tommy McNulty, Lauren Sheeran, Helen Smits,  
Bandwagon TV Stage –Rose Garden: Yngve & The Innocent, Machine Gun Baby, Joy Booth and B & The Honeyboy, On/Off, Michael Stafford 

Saturday, 11th June
Bavaria Main Stage: Late Session – The Amazing Few , Stereo MCs, Whipping Boy, Kerbdog, Stand, Miracle Bell, Shouting at Planes, Landlovers, Hogan, Karma Parking, Redbrick House,Nova Static
The Music Maker Stage: Silent Disco, DSonik, Mike Joyce DJ Set (ex Smiths), Declan O’Rourke, Andy McKee, The Fallen Drakes, Dub Doctor Sound System, Merchants of Fortune, Tim Cobain & band, King Kong Club BOB, Lost Colours
Acoustic Stage– Walled Garden: Rory and The Island, Aisling O’Reilly, The Ball & Chain, Bailer, Wyvern Lingo, Finnian Kelleher, Peter Baldwin
Bandwagon TV Stage – Rose Garden: Henrietta Game, Neptune City, Eugene Donegan, Clive Barnes, Sanszkrit 

Sunday, 12th June
Bavaria Main Stage: Aslan, Something Happens, Lisa Hannigan, Jamie Lawson, CW Stoneking, The Raglans, Storyfold, Tupelo, Sweet Jane, 2Minutes2Midnight,
The Music Maker Stage: Bipolar Empire, Riptide Movement, Oddsocks Revival, Jason Clarke, Roisin O, GMiley & The Soul Street Orchestra, The Barley Mob, Colin Scallan, Electric Penguins, The Hooks, Slap!
Acoustic Stage – Walled Garden:  Mark Black, Hamlet Sweeney, My Bad Self, John Smith, Rhob Cunningham, Stephanie Rainey, Damian Nash, Deirdre Keelan
Bandwagon TV Stage  -Rose Garden :  Paul Crean and the changing band, Saramai & The Swords, A Smile Just Came, Red Queen Contest, Will Kelly, Gog and The Grinders

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Review: Eric Clapton – Live @ The O2, Dublin (May 9th, 2011)

Posted in Gig Review, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2011 by Tickets There

Up front and honest, Tickets There have never been very knowledgeable fans of guitar god, Mr. ‘Slowhand’ himself – Eric Clapton. Aside from a handful of standout classics from his long and very illustrious career, we are unfamiliar with the legend on an album to album basis. Not that this interfered with tonight’s show at the O2 Arena however as we were treated to two hours of ‘incendiary’ (all young writers like to stick that word in ever since we all saw Almost Famous – finally justified to use in this instanceJ) guitar playing, amazing musicianship from two of the best key belters you’ll ever find; not to mention the presentation of the entire night. Great showmen will always leave you feeling happy, but inspiring musicians will leave you feeling gobsmacked. Eric is of course the epitome of the latter experience.

Arriving early is a necessity tonight as Mr. Clapton has brought the excellent Andy Fairweather Low and his band, The Low Riders along for the tour. Apparently everyone else feels the same as the Low Riders are greeted by a full house for their guest spot. Andy is best remembered for his time with the British pop rockets, Amen Corner but he’s matured with the years to become a shinning example of excellent live musicianship fuelled by an experienced, seasoned love from blues rock. Andy’s onstage banter and accompanying selection of early rock classics, blues numbers and his own material make for a perfect warm up show. It may have been several decades since Andy last played the capital, but tonight’s reception will surely entice him to visit again soon.

With a short interval for set-up, Eric Clapton and band arrive on stage very unceremoniously to a roaring house. Clapton’s live shows have never focused their performances on gimmicks, theatrics or OOT novelties. Rather they centre on the incredible skill of the performers and tonight is no exception. Backing musicians Willie Weeks (Bass), Steve Gadd (drums) and accompanying singers all provide an excellent rhythm section, while keyboardists Chris Stainton and in particular Tim Carmon,  push things over the edge and nearly steal the show with their awe-inspiring talent and control of their instruments. Of course, no-one in the world is going to upstage tonight’s star! Clapton wastes no time displaying his almost effortless control of the guitar with note perfect performances of Key To The Highway, Going Down Slow and Hoochie Coochie Man. His cover of Bob Marley’s classic ‘I Shot The Sheriff’, thrills greatest hits fans while Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out brings a little happy swagger back into the night.

A man of few words, Eric takes the chair for a number of acoustic tracks including Gary Moore’s Still Got The Blues, When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful and a reworked blues version of Layla. Aside from the regular thank-yous, Eric doesn’t communicate much with the crowd but does take the sitting down opportunity to joke he always “dreamed of becoming a DJ”. It may not have landed the laughs that Andy Fairweather Low had managed but it’s enough to show the legend is enjoying himself tonight.

Strapping the electric on, Eric returns to full form for an explosive version of Cream’s classic Badge before blowing the crowd away with a powerful performance of Wonderful Tonight. Of course, no Clapton show would be complete without his classic version of John Cale’s Cocaine which ends the main set and brings the arena to its feet. Just in case the crowd hasn’t yet understood that we’re in the presence of one of the greatest guitarist of all time, the band arrive back for one final blue performance of Crossroads. With that, Eric waves and the band are gone in the same unceremonious fashion they arrived. But they’ve done their job tonight. Crowd happy, TT happy. Now when’s he coming back?

View the SetList @ Swear I’m Not Paul Music BLog

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UPDATED: ASH confirm Whelan’s and Temple House House Festival Shows

Posted in Gig Listing, Music, News with tags , , , , , on April 19, 2011 by Tickets There

Want some great news to liven up your week? Well legendary Northern Irish pop rockers Ash have just confirmed two summer shows in Ireland. Tim, Mark and Rick will be kicking things off in Whelan’s on June 6th before hitting the road to Sligo for the Temple House Music Festival which already boasts an  incredible line-up which includes The Walls, Something Happens, Andrew Strong, Kerbdog and many, many more.

Tickets for the Whelan’s gig go on sale this Thursday, April 21st @ 09:00 AM via Ticketsmaster priced €19.50. No date has been announced for the Temple House Festival as of yet but tickets are already on sale. Click here for more details.

**Ash have just announced two additional shows for this tour. The pop rock legends will play Playhouse Theatre in Portrush on Thursday June 7 before heading to Belfast’s Empire Music Hall on June 8. Tickets for Portrush are £15.00 (inc. booking fee) and the Empire Music Hall tickets are at £16.50 (inc. booking fee). Both shows are on sale now through www.Ticketmaster.ie

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Def Leppard release new song ‘Undefeated’ and Mirrorball Track-listing

Posted in Music, News, Single Review with tags , , , , , , on April 12, 2011 by Tickets There

Def Leppard has released the track listing for their first ever live album which is due out in June (or May, depending on where you live). Titled Mirrorball, the album is coming as 2 CD’s showcasing Leppard’s long and illustrious career as kings of Arena Rock both in Europe and the States. There’s also a DVD with on and off stage footage ‘AND’ three brand spanking new tracks from their next studio album which is currently due out next year (it’s Leppard, only God knows when their new albums surface).

Lead singer Joe Elliott took to the airwaves this morning to introduce the first of those new songs to the public masses. The track is titled ‘Undefeated’ and forgoing the feeling of over reaching in the songs composition; it’s not a bad wee number. The band has brought the riffs back and there’s a bit of lead here and there, but Tickets There doesn’t believe it’s lived up to it’s “Queen-type vocal thing” that Joe promised us. It’s definitely a continued step in the right direction after the band returned to their heavier sound on Songs From The Sparkle Lounge but still lacking that deadly lick that made earlier Leppard so passionate and fun. The vocals are also a little more stripped back for a Leppard song which will disappoint some fans (us) who were hoping Joe would bring that raw energy he displayed on the Down ‘N’ Outz record over to Leppard.

On saying all that, the song has its moments and it kicks the shit out of Nine Lives (fecking Country and western, come on lads! You’re not f**king Bon Jovi!). It’ll make a welcome addition to the bands set-list this summer and if the other two tracks match it then we have an exciting new Leppard release on our hands. Below is the track listing for the live album.

Disc 1:
01. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
02. Rocket
03. Animal
04. C’Mon C’Mon
05. Make Love Like A Man
06. Too Late For Love
07. Foolin’
08. Nine Lives
09. Love Bites
10. Rock On

Disc 2:
01. Two Steps Behind
02. Bringin’ On The Heartbreak
03. Switch 625
04. Hysteria
05. Armageddon It
06. Photograph
07. Pour Some Sugar On Me
08. Rock Of Ages
09. Let’s Get Rocked
10. Action
11. Bad Actress
12. Undefeated (new studio track)
13. Kings Of The World (new studio track)
14. It’s All About Believin’ (new studio track)

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Review: The Riptide Movement – Live @ The Academy 2, Dublin (March 5th 2011)

Posted in Gig Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , on April 7, 2011 by Tickets There

A month! That’s how bloody long it’s taken us to knuckle down and tell you how good The Riptide Movement were at the Academy on March 5th. Whoever said Tickets There was a lazy blog owes us a serious apology. With speed like this we may even be considered for expulsion from the Irish music scene we hold so little presence on.

Aside from the delays, blurry memories and drunkenness that was ensnared us at The Riptide’s gig in March, we are happy to report that they rocked the place to it’s core. Not only that, but they managed to out play, out last and upstage the Go Team who were holding court in the venue’s main room on the same night. Having missed the opening acts of the evenings, Tickets There and a completely packed out Academy were treated to an hour and a half of excellently performed blues rock from one of Ireland’s brightest hopes in guitar rock for 2011. There was the hits from the forthcoming album including Hot Tramp and new single Keep on, Keepin’ On as well as a sizeable chunk of material from their début, What About The Tip Jars. There was an orchestra, there was crowd participation. Hell, there was even attempts at crowd suffering when things really heated up.

Without going into half fictional details due to the whole beer, lack of notes and goldfish like memory, we can honestly say it was one of the best Irish shows we’ve been to in yonks. The band’s practice of playing live every five seconds is ensuring their sound is delivered as good as any seasoned band and their songs are getting better by the day. With gigs beginning to exceed expectations in every way, you can bet that The Riptide Movement is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more of over the next few months.

….but no matter how good they are, we will never encourage them or any other Irish band to play the same stage as The Kings of Leon, no matter how good of an opportunity it is! Damn the KOL to hell!

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LEMMY: The Movie

Posted in General Tickets There Blog, Music Video with tags , , , , , , on April 7, 2011 by Tickets There

If you haven’t seen it yet then Tickets There can only advise you to pick up a copy NOW! Before you ask, Lemmy Who? Lemmy ‘Fucking’ Kilmister that’s who!.

One of the best music films of all time based on it’s subject alone, Lemmy from Motörhead! Without a doubt the coolest man in Rock ‘N’ Roll and possibly the world. What’s the secret to Lemmy’s coolness? Well unlike the posers, the wannabe’s and the sissy bitches (Kings of Leon, Kings of Leon, Kings of Leon), Lemmy is a man true to himself and does / says / acts the way he wants without exception. The embodiment of rock n roll for 90 minutes in your very own home, the closest a lot of us will come to actually living the life style generations before us have spoken in awe of for so long. Long live Lemmy and long live Motörhead. Enjoy.

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The Walls –Bird In A Cage EP (EP Review)

Posted in EP Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 7, 2011 by Tickets There

Last year, Dublin / Clare rockers The Walls promised a new EP in early 2011 with an album to follow later in the year. So far they’ve delivering on queue! After spending most of 2010 perfecting and touring their two man live show, this is the first solid release of new material since 2005’s New Dawn Breaking and it has been worth the wait.

Taking material from their forthcoming album, Stop The Lights and sticking in a couple of EP only bonuses, Bird In A Cage is an excellent introduction to the bands revived , laid back sound with that striking talent for song-writing Joe and Steve Wall have made their backs on. Opening with the EP’s title track, you’re introduced to a very personal, biographical glimpse into Steve’s childhood with an uplifting chorus that’s sure to bring you back for more.

Chrome Heart brings back some early Wall’s styles with paced lead guitars, low tempo vocals and a chucky bass shoulder to lean on. Being the Walls, the song retracts and expands like nothing else but never loses it’s dead straight composure. All A Blur, also taken from the next album highlights the bands incredible talent for simple, catchy music with no frills needed to make their music any more appealing that it already is.

The Big Freeze brings to a close on a down note. Not that it’s bad, but as instrumentals go there’s not much here. Any fan out there knows the Walls are capable of much better, something that is not only obvious from their previous records, but also from the new material they’ve been playing live over the past year. All that means is we get some crackin’ tunes now and an amazing album later in the year. Not too shabby for Tickets There!

The EP can be downloaded now for €3 from The Wall’s Bandcamp page. Title track Bird In A Cage is also available as a free download on the same page.

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