After writing about TURN back in September, I think I’ll let a few poor photo efforts sum up one of the best things in Ireland over the past 11 years for this writer; TURN live! It was a great show and I regret not reviewing at the time. Apologies to all who were misled by the misleading title.
Archive for Turn
Review: TURN – Live @ Whelan’s (August 31st, 2012)
Posted in Gig Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags Ciaran Kavanagh, Electric Picnic, Gavin Fox, Ian Melady, Oliver Cole, set-list, Turn, Whelans on September 2, 2012 by Tickets ThereRe-capturing youth? Nah; TURN fans are still too young to worry about such things. It was only seven years since their last show together and most of us remember it like it was yesterday. In their time, TURN managed to release three critically acclaimed albums, achieve success both at home and in the U.K. with fiery, brooding heavy singles such as ‘Beretta’ and ‘Beeswax’, sell out almost every venue Dublin had to offer and tour the country relentlessly, assuring their place in Irish music history. Now they’re back (for a little while at least) to play a much anticipated show at this year’s Electric Picnic and tonight’s ’secret’ warm up show.
There’s not many local bands who could pack Whelan’s with an unannounced show on the starting day of the nation’s biggest and most beloved music festival; but that doesn’t seem to stop the Kells’ legends from doing just that. Taking a break from their solo ventures, Ollie Cole, Gavin Fox and Ian Melady are back together along with former bassist Ciaran Kavanagh on guitar. As the house lights go down and the excited crowd grin from ear to ear with excitement, the four familiar figures stroll on stage and kick off the show fan favourites ‘Never Needed’ and ‘Beretta’.
Turn both look and sound sharp, losing none of their on stage performance and power. ‘Anti-Social’ thrills Whelan’s with bar staff even attempting a look in for the obligatory sing along. ‘Summer Song’ and the sombre ‘You Got Style’ move us towards Turn’s seminal years before the gentle yet booming, ‘Heart Attack’, causes the band and crowd to explode to life with Ciaran’s second guitar giving the song the extra hitch it needs to fulfil it’s true quality.
As well as losing none of their power, it also appears that Gavin and (the recently married) Ollie have also retained their classic on stage quipping and banter, joking together and sharing a dedication to Ollie’s new bride. There’s a little more nostalgia when the band pause during ‘Queen of My Heart’ to allow Ian his classic live solo, aided of course by chants of ‘IANO’ before launching into ‘In Position’, one of the band’s most accomplished songs. The thundering ‘Harder’ ups the volume a few notches before the colossal ‘Beeswax’ shreds through the PA, sounding as fresh as the day it was written. Before bowing out to travel towards Stradbally, Turn thrill fans with one final performance of ‘Another Year Over’. Obviously delighted with the turnout and success of their first reunited show, the band amble off stage, ready to take on the waiting hordes at Electric Picnic tomorrow. Whatever their plans for the future, it would be a shame if this was the last we saw of them.
Never Needed
Beretta
Anti-Social
Summer Song
You Got Style
Heart Attack
Queen of My Heart
In Position
Harder
Beeswax
Another Year Over
TURN Announce Free Whelan’s Show Tomorrow Night
Posted in Gig Listing, Music, News with tags Ciran Kavanagh, Electric Picnic, free show, Gavin Fox, Ian Melady, Oliver Cole, Turn, Whelans on August 30, 2012 by Tickets ThereI cannot get over this news, but on top of TURN reforming for Electric Picnic this weekend; the band have just announced a free headlining show in Whelan’s tomorrow night (yes, FREE!)
Whelan’s have just sent their newsletter out and confirmed the whole thing. TURN live on stage almost seven years since their last performance. Oliver Cole, Ian Melady, Gavin Fox and Ciran Kavanagh will revitalize the classic turn sound with a brooding double guitar density and four capable singers for harmonies…yadayadayafa – I almost too excited to write this properly (almost – feck off).
If you’re skipping the picnic then make sure you head along tomorrow night and catch one of Irelands greatest live forces tear Whelan’s apart!
TURN Set to Re-Unite For Electric Picnic
Posted in Gig Listing, Music, News with tags Electric Picnic, Gavin Fox, Ian Melady, Oliver Cole, Turn, turn 2012, turn reunion, turn reuniting, turn tour on August 9, 2012 by Tickets ThereA very exciting moment for Tickets There as our favorite Irish band of all time, TURN have announced they are officially rehearsing again and preparing to play Electric Picnic this year. Lead singer and guitarist Oliver Cole posted the following message on his facebook page confirming the news in the last hour,
Well it’s true. Gavin, Ian, Ciaran and myself have been rehearsing with Turn for electric picnic this year.
We play the Cosby tent at 5.30 on Saturday.
It’s gonna be awesome. It sounds so good. Expect a greatest hits set. It’s good to rock
The legendary Kell’s rockers formed in the late nineties and went on to produce a number of hit singles, several EP’s and three critically acclaimed albums before calling it a day in 2006. Now they’re coming back – as a foursome. Founding members, Oliver Cole, Gavin Fox and Ian Melady are all confirmed to take part, as is 2005 era bassist, Ciaran Kavanagh,also playing an unconfirmed role in the reunion.
So far only an appearance at the Picnic has been confirmed, but in subsequent comments to the post, Oliver stated ‘there could be a couple more …()… Will keep everyone abreast of goings on’.
Are you excited? Hell yeah you are and this is going to make it even better – Ollie has also confirmed it’ll be a full on greatest hits set for the show so all you EP heads make sure you’re there on Saturday and see one of the best live bands we’ve ever produced, ply their trade as it should be – in front of thousands.
Tickets There will make sure we keep you updated on this. Good times! Anyone want to refresh some details about the band, here’s your chance,
TURN – A History: 1998 – 2006 https://ticketsthere.com/2009/07/18/turn-a-history-1998-%e2%80%93-2006-2/
(UPDATED) WANTED: TURN – The Christmas EP (2000, 7″)
Posted in General Tickets There Blog, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags Gavin Fox, Ian Melady, Ollie Cole, Ollie Cole Turn, the christmas ep, Turn, TURN - The Christmas EP, turn christmas ep, turn christmas ep 2000 on July 20, 2010 by Tickets There‘Ladies and gentlemen, WE GOT IT!!!’
Tickets There are proud to announce we just tracked down a copy of The Christmas E.P. (it was on CD all along, not vinyl :D). The years of searching are finished – we can now step back and enjoy a healthy social life!
Folks, if you’re ever wondering what record Tickets There wants more than anything in the world, it’s this baby right here…well, up there!
The Christmas EP from Turn. Came out in 2000 and has eluded us for the past eight years. Getting a little tired of searching for this but the struggle still continues. If anyone ever wants to sell the mighty TT a copy or exchange one for Beretta or Beeswax, please don’t be afraid to get in touch – ticketsthere@hotmail.com
Oliver Cole – What Will You Do? (Single Review)
Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News, Single Review with tags Gavin Fox, Holding Your Heart, Oliver Cole, Ollie Cole, Turn, What Will You Do? on October 2, 2009 by Tickets ThereIn 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.
Ollie Cole – New Single Launch Tomorrow!!
Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News with tags Oliver Cole. The Odessa Club, Ollie Cole, Turn, What Will Ya Do on September 30, 2009 by Tickets ThereAh, 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
Oliver Cole: New Single and Tour Dates
Posted in Music, News with tags Oliver Cole, Ollie Cole, Turn, We Albatri, What Will Ya Do on September 20, 2009 by Tickets ThereFinally, some news worth writing about. Oliver Cole (formally of Turn and one of Tickets There’s mostly highly recommended singer / songwriters) is releasing the first single, What Will You Do With Yourself from his highly anticipated solo debut, We Albatri on October 2nd through EMI records.
Oliver will be launching the single in Dublin’s (Shudder) ‘coolest, not at all elitist, completely ponce free, super trendy, ultra-cool, too cool for school, ram-o-rama sit fest The Odessa Club near Dame Street. €10 at the door and a free copy of the single.
Then he’s off to Galway and Cork before playing a fourth show at the HWCH festival veues still TBC)
Ollie’s always great live so the shows will be well worth and he’s got the band in toe which could mean Mr. Gavin Fox on bass and Graham Hopkins in drums.
Thursday October 1st Dublin Odessa Club (€10 incl copy of release) open to public.
Friday October 2nd Galway Roisin Dubh upstairsThursday
October 8th Cork Cyprus Avenue.
October Dublin HWCH festival date to confirmed.
Check out more @ Oliver Cole MySpace
And no, Tickets There is not bitter he’s stolen our Frame graphics 🙂
Tickets There HY-GIY?: Turn – Forward
Posted in Album Review, Hy-Giy, Music with tags Gavin Fox, Ian Melady, InPosition, Ollie Cole, Turn, Turn - Forward on August 19, 2009 by Tickets ThereWithout a doubt, this is Tickets There’s favorite Irish album of all time. Now, when it comes to Turn I will happily admit to being fully biased, as I am with almost everything I write except the majority of the MySpace reviews. As far as I’m concerned, Turn were one of the greatest Irish band ever to emerge from the great Emerald Isle in the last twenty years. Oliver Cole’s vocals, guitar melodies, riffs and songwriting talent, mixed with Gavin Fox’s force, energy and writing skills all backed by Ian Meldays forceful command of all things rhythm makes the Kell’s trio kings in my book. Now, that may seem a little over the top and dramatic but I’ve been watching a lot of ROME recently so forgive me.
I first discovered Turn around 2002, shortly after the released the Another Year Over / Summer Song single and within a few months that opened my eyes to an amazingly impressive Irish scene I knew nothing about before. I hadn’t even heard a whisper of bands like Bell X1, Berkeley, Paddy Casey or many of the other big names around the country at the time. For someone who was as devoted to music I found this a little odd and began a quest to seek out some of this country’s finest talent. After seven years I still haven’t found many bands that compare to the power of Turns records and even fewer that can match their amazing live shows.
When Forward came out in 2003 it was praised as the album everyone who’d been following them from the late nineties knew they had in them. In sharp contrast to their third and last album, Forward’s sound was generally down beat with very few exceptions. It saw them grow from the hard guitars sound of their debut (Antisocial) and move onto more melodic song structures. Opening song, You Got Style really captures the feel of the entire record. A slow bruising piece that builds and builds as the song evolves. Dumb as it Is follows and adds some light after the darkness of You Got Style. A nice, upbeat with restrained bass lines thumping throughout with a sharp change to guitars for the chorus bursts. This is the second song written by Ian Melady to appear on a Turn record (the first being Queen of my Heart from Antisocial). Third track Harder is one of few heavy guitar tracks on the album and in comparison to the likes of Beretta, Beeswax or Too Much Makeup from the earlier outputs, it comes cross musically light but atmospherically heavy.
Summer Song gives the album a slower, more acoustic based before the bands legendary anthem, In Position comes in and blows everything away. One of the most perfectly composed songs the band have ever written and a solid fan favorite. Without You is more obviously a love song than any of the others on Forward with more harmony based melodies and upbeat guitar and piano’s rather than the down trodden sound that dominates the rest of the album. Another Year Over is another one of the albums upbeat anthems. Not much you can say about this except the fact that it’s fucking amazing and the chorus is so heavy live it’ll make your ears bleed. Ain’t it a Love is possibly the heaviest song on the album and it harks back to their earlier material without copying the same styles the band used before. Very fast, very heavy and very brilliant (Can you say very brilliant? Well I just did).
Can’t keep Waiting is similar in tones to You Got Style and at the same time, sounds nothing like it. It’s a little sadder in its tones and much more simplistic. Really atmospheric and well done. Like Never Needed from the bands Check my Ears EP, Can’t Keep Waiting doesn’t rely on several verses of poetry to carry it though, it’s a one liner folks and it works well. No More (I Close My Eyes) is another of those lovey songs, like most of Turn’s outputs. A lot of vocal stretches and a very low, smooth sound…until you get about half way in and the full guitars and vocal harmonies are released. Even Though is one of the nicest acoustic songs the band have ever written. Very emotionally based again and only listenable sometimes. Definitely not for people in a good mood. And finally we come to the album’s title song, Forward. It’s great as well 😉
Turn have been split up for over three years now though (god, it seems like a hell of a lot longer than that), but their music is still out there with new fans still discovering them. If you didn’t like Humanzi, make Forward the album you send your scouts out for this Christmas.
CONCERTO FOR CONSTANTINE: A BRIEF HISTORY 2007 – 2008
Posted in General Tickets There Blog, Music with tags Binzer, Concerto for Constantine, Fibber Magees, Gavin Fox, JJ72, Mark Greaney, The Frames, Turn on July 21, 2009 by Tickets ThereIreland has always had a reputation for great music. It’s been part of tradition and heritage for as long as any one can remember. However, another more recent element of this tradition is many of our acts getting lost in time and passed over for the sake of another group. Off course this is a common occurrence in the rest of the world and not just an issue within the Irish scene. Unlike other countries though, Irish people embrace American and English music far more than their own. Our country is small too sustain many acts due to most Irish people’s lack of interest in their local scene and therefore these bands are under pressure to make it in England and America or simply disappear if they can’t. With the exception of Aslan, very few bands can survive by touring and releasing albums in Ireland alone.
Therefore, I decided to write up a small piece of my favorite group on the scene at the moment Concerto for Constantine. While the members of the band have all carved out their own place on the Irish scene, they are now working together for something much bigger. National and International acclaim.
The band comprises of Mark Greaney (former vocals and axe man for JJ72, a very successful Irish group for the late nineties/ early millennium). Mark managed to amount great success in his time with JJ72 as they released two albums, selling nearly a million copies, and toured the world for years. An astonishing feat, especially considering that JJ72 was formed while all the members were still in the middle of their leaving cert. Unfortunately, JJ72 ran into difficulties. Original bass player Hilary Woods left to peruse a college degree and a family in 2003, leaving remaining members Mark and Fergal Matthews to carry on with her replacement Sarah Fox. The band appeared as if they were on a hiatus for two years while they wrote and recorded their third album. They returned in 2005 with a single She’s Gone and a tour in support of its release. Later in the year they released a second single entitled Coming Home and promoted it by doing a tour of small venues across the UK and Ireland culminating in a main stage slot of Donnington’s Download Festival.
In early 2006 JJ72 split under the frustration of issues with the release of their third album. Mark carried on working on solo material after the split and even went on a UK tour in support of Simple Kid to preview some of the material. While Mark was writing material for his solo début in New York, he received a call from old friend Gavin Fox that lead to the formation of Concerto for Constantine.
‘Even, Mark at one stage hinted that I might join JJ72 and play guitar on tour with them, but at the time Turn had just formed and were kicking off and JJ72 worked well as a three piece. Eventually the chance came up when I left Vega4. Mark was in New York working on his solo album and I gave him a call and said ‘Let’s do this, lets form a rock band now‘ – Gavin Fox, 2008.
Gavin Fox has an equally full experience on the music scene as Mark. Gavin first came to prominence with Irish indie legends ‘Turn’. The Kell’s group formed by Ollie Cole, Gavin and Ian Melady in 1998. Gavin spent roughly four years with Turn before leaving to join Idelwild. Like JJ72, Turn experienced many issues from the start of their career with the record industry. Although their first three singles and first EP (Facedown, Beretta, Beeswax and Check My Ears) all came out in quick succession, they were self financed and uncomplicated. It was their début that marked the start of Turn’s problems. (2000’s Antisocial). The album gained high acclaim from most critics, however, lack of endorsement from their label (Infectious) and no advertising or promotion budget forced the band to leave the label and once again try on their own. In 2001 the ‘In Position EP’ was released on their own ‘Nurture‘ label and once again put the group back in the Irish spotlight. Although once again the band didn’t have the funds to advertise or promote the album outside of touring.
While recording their follow up ‘Forward’ in late 2001, Gavin got a call from ‘Idlewild’ with an offer to join their group. Frustrated with Turn’s lack of growth, Gavin left to join the Scottish Rockers and remained art of the group for over four years. After Idelwild, Gavin joined ‘Vega4’, a London based group which he played in for just under a year. It was after leaving Vega4 he decided to call Mark.
The line up was completed by Paul ‘Binzer’ Brennan after an invitation from Gavin to come down and join himself and Mark for a rehearsal. Although Mark had never met ‘Binzer’, he was welcomed with open arms to the group on their first meeting. Paul has played with some of ..Ireland.. best acts and on many famous recordings, including ‘The Frames, Dance the Devil’ and ‘Bell X1’s Music in Mouth’ to name but two. He has toured and recorded with other acts such as ‘Paddy Casey, Mundy, Gemma Hayes, Halite‘ and many more. His experience and talent behind the kit made him the perfect choice for Concerto and completed the lineup.
Concerto started rehearing new material and songs that Mark had been working on for his sole release were shelved as the band decided to turn back to their roots and starting writing music based on their influences (Early 90’s alt/rock such as ‘Nirvana’, The Pixies ad The Smashing Pumpkins) while also giving the songs a more modern touch. Rehearsals started in late August 2007 and the band started writing and recording demos’ instantly. In September, they were invited to perform on the 2FM 2MORO 2OUR. A nation wide showcase held twice a year in order to give new groups a platform to play their music in front of live audiences and promote themselves. It was this invite that promoted the band to consider a name for their new group that properly reflected their new sound.
‘We were confirming the details and they asked ‘what’s the name of the band’ because they were doing up posters for the tour, so I said yeah it’s ready I’ll call ya back in a couple of Hours‘ – Mark Greany 2008.
The name was completed by using ‘Concerto for’ which Gavin had seen on ITunes while scrolling through song names and completed by ‘Constantine’, A name the Synonymous with a recurring dream Mark’s mother had been having for years about a young boy walking a lobster (on a leash) on a beach at night while a voice calls the name ‘Constantine‘ from beyond the sand dunes. Marks mother had told him only the week before the 2FM call that she had the dream again and Mark felt it was a sign.
Concerto for Constantine continued rehearsing and on the 28th September, made their radio début on the Jenny Huston show on 2FM. The band played two tracks acoustically which were recorded live on air. On the 15th November 2007, the group played their first live show at the Sky venue, Portlaois. The band later claimed this to be the worst show of the tour. They played a further 10 dates on the tour in venues across Ireland. By the end they had established a basic fan base.
The group spent a further two months rehearsing and recording before returning to the stage. The future single ‘Minsk’ was recorded between December and February’. An early version was posted on their Myspace along with four other songs ‘Gaps, Killing Fields, WASP’s and Cat’s Cradle’. However, this version was replaced by newer recording featuring a much raunchier bass line. In late January, the band announced that they were invited to support ‘The Smashing Pumpkins’ at their Irish dates in Dublin and Belfast (9th and 10th February 2008 respectively). They were also invited to support ‘The Futureheads’ for a one off show in Sligo’s newest venue ‘The Clarence’. The Smashing Pumpkins support slot fulfilled a life long dream for Mark who had come close to supporting Billy Corgan on to previous occasions while he was with JJ72. The band even managed to find three stage props for the occasion. Three box’s made to look like Amp heads with each word of the bands name in ‘Georgia’ font, that lit up.
During the Pumpkins support slot, the band announced their first headlining show at Dublin infamous rock bar ‘Fibber Magee’s’, an event organized by ‘Muzzle Music’. On February 22nd the group took to the stage playing nine songs, the five that had been previewed on their MySpace and four un heard tracks, ‘Silver, Falling, Everything and Knife’. The show was sold out and promotion for the night included everything from posters and flyer’s to stickers. It was considered a triumph and the band wasted no time announcing another headlining show in the same venue on the 17th March 2008, this time for ‘Secondlife.com’ who were web casting the show. They were also confirmed as special guests for 2FM’s ‘School of Rock….’ showcase. A competition for younger groups to play in a large venue and win prizes such as vouchers for musical equipment and recording time. Concerto played the event on the 9th March making it their second appearance in Whelan’s and also their second day time show (the first being the Village on the 25th November as the last date of the 2FM 2MORO 2OUR).
Unfortunately, the second headlining show in Fibber’s didn’t capture the magic from the first. The promoters for the event hadn’t advertised the show anywhere and there wasn’t so much as a poster put up about the performance. There was also an issue with stage times as the band were originally scheduled to appear at 8:00pm. However, the pub was next to empty (being St. Patrick’s day and a Monday, most people had finished drinking at 18:00 in order to be able to work the following morning. Instead they went on-stage at 10:30 and played for just under an hour. Their performance was further hindered by problems with Gavin’s Bass head and the lack of a crowd.
The following day, Concerto embarked for London to play two shows, the first at The Dublin Castle (March 18th), a legendary underground venue for Indie and rock talent. The second was at Club 229 (19th). Both shows were described as a massive success.
On March 11th the band announced their first headlining show in Whelan’s on April 15th. The event, which is being promoted by MCD and Phantom FM is the set to be the biggest headlining show the band have played to date. The are also set to play the IMRO showcase on the 11th of April in The Sugar Club. They also announced on the 8th April that they have been asked to support The Enemy at their show on the 9th in Dublin’s Ambassador.
08-04-2008 Update:
Concerto for Constantine have gotten ‘Minsk’ remixed by classic JJ72 and Turn producer ‘Marc Carolan’. The original recording and mix of ‘Minsk‘ was done by ‘Neil Mitchell’.
After only eight moths together the band have already achieved more than most bands with records and more dates under their belt could dream of in their first two years. Some critics of the band base this on each members already established reputations on the scene. Although this has made thing go a little smoother for the group, it would be very wrong to deny that their music isn’t up to scratch for the offers and acclaim they are receiving.
Fans of the band are hoping to see some material released in 2008 such as an EP or even a full debut album. In the mean time, the band are content with promoting themselves through their incredible live performances which show the work they have been putting in during breaks between shows. They have also amassed an albums worth of material which can only be added to over the year.
Concerto played their first full headlining show in Whelan’s and blew the place away. The venue was packed and the upstairs section had to be opened to deal with the amount of people who turned up. They played 12 songs with ‘Minsk’ opening and closing the show (I assume they played Minsk twice as a result of running out of songs and also to ensure the audience got to hear songs they knew as they still have no Single, EP or album for sale) They truly pulled out all the stops for what I can only describe as their best performance yet.
27th July 2008: OXEGEN Update.
Concerto have played four shows in July without much noise surrounding any of them. The biggest was their début performance at Oxegen. They opened up Saturday in one of the tents and I’m told there was a massive crowd in attendance. The word is (from people who’s taste I respect) that they were stellar and played a fantastic show.
However, the other ‘official report’ from Ireland’s leading U2 fanzine ‘HOT Press’ that they weren’t much of s spectacle. Read Stuart Clarke’s words below.
(Intro about finding an undiscovered gem in the morning and bragging about watching their show with 50 people when their headlining a stage next year)
Unfortunately for me (and therefore for you), the bands I happen upon in the early hours – namely Concerto for Constantine are unlikely to trouble such heights, mainly because their both pretty boring: the former throw all the right shapes but make none of the right noises.
Stuart Clarke – HOT Press Vol:32 Issue: 14, p.40.
This follows on from their last bad review in the Independent by infamous music knocker John Meagher (indecently a man who thought the Flaws released the greatest Irish album last year…J).
Check it out – http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/uninspiring-constantine-a-sight-for-sore-eyes-1352872.html> John Meagher’s Review @Independent.ie
With two of Ireland’s leading respectable Music writers against them, Concerto will have to continue to prove themselves as a band for some time to come.
Whelan’s – April 15th Set list:
- Minsk
- WASP’s
- Cats Cradle
- The Last Swim
- Falling
- Everything
- Knife
- Silver
- Gaps
- Killing Fields (With a drum solo intro)
- Death in Lisbon (Instrumental)
- Minsk (‘One for the Road’)
Fibber MaGee’s – Feb 22nd 2008 Setlist:
- Minsk
- Wasps
- Cats Cradle
- Silver
- Falling
- Everything
- Knife
- GAPS
- Killing Fields
Concerto Gig History: (Tickets There attended gigs in Bold – Pictures and Set lists available)
2007
Nov 15 – Sky Venue, Portlaoise
Nov 16 – Electric Avenue, Watherford
Nov 17 – Cyprus Avenue, Cork (All Ages Show + Evening Show)
Nov 18 – Trinity Rooms, ..Limerick..
Nov 19 – Roisin Dubh, Galway
Nov 21 – Left Bank Sligo
Nov 22 – Spirit Store, Dundalk
Nov 23 – The Stables, Mullingar
Nov 24 – Whelan’s, Dublin
Nov 25 – The Village, Dublin
2008
January
Jan 31 – The Clarence, ..Sligo.. (Heineken Green Sphere’s supporting The Futureheads)
February
Feb 09 – The R.D.S., Dublin (Supporting the Smashing Pumpkins)
Feb 10 – The King’s Hall, Belfast (Supporting The Smashing Pumpkins)
Feb 22 – Fibber Magee’s, Dublin (First Headlining Show) *(See Set list above)
March
Mar 09 – Whelan’s, Dublin (2FM School of Rock show)
Mar 17 – Fibber Magee’s, Dublin (St. Patrick’s Day Show)
Mar 18 – Dublin Castle, London
Mar 19 – Club 229, London
April
Apr 09 – The Ambassador, Dublin (Supporting The Enemy)
Apr 11 – The Sugar Club, Dublin (IMRO Showcase)
Apr 15 – Whelan’s, Dublin (First Headlining show in Whelan’s)
May
May 08 – TBC ***Postponed***
May 09 – The Trinity Ball (Trinity college Dublin)
June
18th June – Red Bull Oxegen Promo Tour – Waterford (Venue TBC) (This show seems to be cancelled)
19th June – Red Bull Oxegen Promo Tour – Ennis (Venue TBC)(This show seems to be cancelled)
20th June – Red Bull Oxegen Promo Tour – Letterkenny (Venue TBC)
21st June – Red Bull Oxegen Promo Tour – Belfast (Venue TBC)
July
12th July – Oxegen
13th July – T in the Park
October
3rd Oct – Andrews Lane Theatre (With the Aftermath, Phantom Show).
18th – The Ambassador, Dublin (Oxjam 08)
November
20th – Heineken Green Spheres – Crane Lane Cork
28th – The Academy (DJ Set Only)
2009
February
28th – Radio City (Revolver), Dublin (With The Aftermath)
March
1st – The O2 Dublin, Supporting Snow Patrol
15th – The O2 London, Supporting Snow Patrol
April
25th – Radio City, DJ Set Only
Recording’s
Four songs were recorded for a 2FM Live Session in September 2007. ‘Gap’s’, WASP’s, Killing Field’s and Cats Cradle‘. All current recordings are considered Demo’s and will be rerecorded for any official release.
‘Minsk’ was recorded between January and February 2008 and produced by Neil Mitchell. Two versions were mixed and previewed on MySpace. On the 7th April 2008 a new mix of the song was posted to MySpace. Mark confirmed this version had been mixed by long time JJ72 and Turn producer ‘Marc Carolan’ who now mixes songs for ‘The Cure’ and ‘Muse’
On April 10th, Minsk was released as a free download on Phantom FM’s official website,
There has never been any official word of Demos for ‘Silver, Falling, Everything or Knife’ although it’s more than likely that all four songs have been recorded for demo’s along with other unheard tracks especially considering Binzer’s comments about the support slot for ‘The Enemy’….
‘We figure it’d be a good opportunity to road test some new tunes for our Whelan’s gig on the 15th‘ – Binzer April 8th 2008On the 29th May, Concerto confirmed on their MySpace that they have spent the time since Whelan’s writing new material and getting ready to enter the studio to record their ‘first proper single’ the following week.
On August 18th, Binzer posted a blog on MySpace stating that Concerto or now preparing to record their debut album and are hoping to head into the studio in October/November, Currently the band haven’t confirmed if they have a decided on a studio or a producer yet.
TURN
Posted in General Tickets There Blog, Music with tags Gavin Fox, Ian Melady, Ollie Cole, Turn on June 3, 2009 by Tickets ThereWhen you’re a fan of a genre, it’s generally because you found one band you fell head over heels in love with and you try desperately to find similar bands in order to discover new areas the sound can be brought to. My love for Irish music started with a truly legendary three piece from Kell’s, Co. Meath called, TURN.
The first time I saw Turn was in 2002 while the band were on a promotional tour for their latest single Another Year Over / Summer Song single. They were playing Rag Week with The Australian Nirvana as support. I remember having a week long debate with my friend Bob about who was supporting. How could some crappy little band no one’s ever heard off headline above Nirvana I wondered? Jesus, I was thick back then, hopefully I’ve lost that over the years. Well, it turned out Bob was right, Turn were headlining and I’ll never forget the last sight of the Nirvana tribute singer leaving the stage and three hundred people suddenly disappearing from the venue. What had been an over crowed grunge indulgence fest, turned into an empty, sweat smelling room as the nights headliners started setting up their equipment. Bob filled me in on the few new facts he’d acquired about the band and you could see the excitement build in him. Never one to write something off before I see it for myself, I caught the buzz.
Oliver Cole’s small, thin frame is hardly imposing, even in a suit, but the man’s power as a lead singer is astonishing. Physically, Turn all looked about the same height and weight, leading many first time viewers with a few laughs up their sleeves (you have to remember Lord of the Rings was still everywhere). There’s nothing as frustrating of realizing you’re watching a truly incredible band and not knowing any of their songs, Turns music pulled me in so fast, it was hard to stop it. Songs like Beeswax, Antisocial, Beretta, Too Much Makeup, Queen of My Heart and In Position are greatest songs any Irish band of the last twenty / thirty years. Turn embodied the raw, brute force of rock n roll, while still maintaining a powerful grasp of melody and beauty. Everything flowed so well and around every corner there was a surprise. I instantly became a dedicated fan, very rare for me to latch onto new bands….up until that point anyway.
Turn quickly became the number band of my college years. I stayed with them over four years going to ever show possible, buying every single album, single, ep or vinyl I could get my hands on. I saw them play with Bell X1, Mundy, Paddy Casey, Weezer, The Frank and Waters and .many, many more I saw them play Oxegen, Merion Square, The Village, The Temple Bar Music Centre, McGarrigles Pub, Collera House, Whelan’s, Vicar Street, The Point Depot, The Sligo Rocks Festival, NUI Maynooth and the Left Bank. I think I got to about 20/30+ shows all together, sometimes to going to three a week. I managed to get to two album launches and get to know each member and their tour manager well enough to have a drink with. I watched them lose Gavin and get Alan, only to lose Alan and replace him with Ciaran before Gavin rejoined the group again. I got to see them play some of the best songs I’ve ever heard in my life countless times.
Am I bragging with all that info? Nope, I’m listing all the truly thrilling things I got to do for the last four years of Turn’s existence. My previous favourites included Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard, Oasis, Nirvana, Blur, Meat Loaf, Megadeth, Slayer, Cradle of Filth, Sepultura and Metallica. Not exactly touchable bands. But here was this amazing band, that were Irish and easy to go and see. Not touring once every ten years or past their prime. More bands fell into my heart after Turn, including The Future Kings of Spain, Bell X1, The Frames, Berkeley, Indigo Fury, Paddy Casey, Wilt and many more. I couldn’t believe that I’d been so unaware of the Irish talent that swarms this country. There were so many unique acts that all formulated their own defining sound. They could make you mosh / pogo / sleep / dance or rock out, all on the same album at times.
2006 marked the end for Turn. The lack of success, internal issues and record company fuck up’s that hounded the band all the way through their career, finally caught up with the members and over-whelmed them. The band simply disappeared after initially hinting at a final tour before the split, something that sadly, never materialized.
Three years on(well, 2 and a bit), and the members have all moved on. Ian moved home to raise a family, Ollie has recorded enough material for over three solo albums which he’s hoping to have out this year while Gavin Fox has gone on to form another exciting band in the heart of its prime, Concerto For Constantine. Things look grim for any hopes of revival in the near future and honestly, there are good things to come from the individual projects that should be heard before they ever consider a reunion.
Tickets There generally doesn’t condone reunions and objects to any legendary band cashing in their legacy’s and artist integrity for a few easy bucks and hamper any chance of a respectful future or musical advancement, but if Turn did reunite for a jaunt, I’d be there.