The vast line-up appearing over the three days is here and you have an opportunity to listen to a track from ten of the bands on the bill:
Lineup
Absolutely Curtains
Aisling Quinn
Arrow in the Sky
Attention Bebe
Band
Bipolar Empire
Blind Yackety
Bob Glynn
CFit
Chayka
Come on, Live Long
El Hombre Jokes
Enda Reilly
Enemies
Eric McGrath
Fiach
Fitzafrenic
Fox Jaw Bounty Hunter
Fox.E & the Good Hands
Ghost Busters
Gypsy Rebel Rabble
Hassle Merchants
The Hundred Flower Campaign
I Draw Slow
Kill Goliath
King Modo
Lisa McLaughlin
Liz Is Evil
Lotus Eater
Louis Barabbas
Markas Carcas
Mescalito
More Tiny Giants
Mutefish
New Secret Weapon
Noise Machine
Nursery Crimes
Pete & The Purehearts
Peter Space Invasion
Raglans
Rebecca Collins
Rocket Surgery
Ross Breen
Scarecrow Disco
Sive
Son of a Beast
Sons Of GingerBread
Sounds of System Breakdown
Spellbound
Spirit Riders
Spook of the 13th Lock
St. John The Gambler
The 9 Bars
The Altered Hours
The Amazing Few
The Barley Mob
The Difference Engine
The scale of what's on offer in the historic town of Kilkenny is simply amazing. All the arts are covered and there's massive variety on offer. This Arts festival along with Cat Laughs and the Rhythm and Roots Festival must make Kilkenny the cultural capitol of Ireland?
The music line-up features gigs by James Vincent McMorrow, Gemma Hayes, Luka Bloom as well as international artists such as Mark Kozelek, The Sea and the Cake and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.
One event which interests me is the 'New Music Night' on Tuesday 9 Aug 8pm in the Set Theatre featuring Somadrone, Geppetto, Thread Puls, Margie Lewis and Toby Kaar.
Price; €12 / €10
Check out this amazing video for "Conversations" which is taken from Somadrone's "Depth of Field".
I'll always enthusiastically write about bands aiming to bring their music to a wider audience and I'm delighted that one of our best alternative bands Funeral Suits is on the Wireless bill in Hyde Park this weekend with fellow Irish bands Fight Like Apes and Cashier No. 9:
Check out the impressive single 'Colour Fade' here:
My Glastonbury story began with an impromptu email fired off to the Emerging Talent Competition asking if they needed another blogger as a judge for this year's competition. I got a ticket in exchange for listening to at least one track from 159 bands. Within that 159 bands I can say I've become a fan of The Little Unsaid, Laurie Cameron, Elliott Morris and Klak Tik. The eventual winners of this year's ETC was Treetop Flyers:
I had to work up to noon on Friday 24th June but an Aer Arran 3pm flight to Bristol and a coach journey to Pilton ensured I got to the mud bath by 7pm. The tent went up in time for Morrissey's fine set from the Pyramid Stage at 8pm. I confess to never being a big Smiths fan but tunes like 'Meat is Murder' and 'There is a Light That Never Goes Out' were amazing to hear. After a trip to the Hot Spiced Cider bar it was time for a greatest hits gig from U2. Normally you'd have to listen to a few crap tunes from the new album before getting to the beefy hits but U2 went straight to honouring Achtung Baby the album they recorded 20 years ago in Berlin. While not a vintage show it was all about the music and U2 played the best set for the occasion.
Saturday
My home for the weekend was stuck between The Pyramid Stage and The John Peel Stage and Saturday began with two bands in the John Peel Stage. Jersey's 'Brave Yesterday' made nice indie rock tunes but they have a seriously good drummer. The drumbeats were irregular and constantly fluid during the tracks and the drummer was highly entertaining by himself.
I think it's always difficult when a band like 'Fight Like Apes' are given an introduction where they are called the liveliest most entertaining band on the scene or something like it. Instead of winning over the crowd they had to make sure they didn't lose the sizable crowd who beat their way through the midday mud to get to the band. To be fair I was entertained by their stage antics and there's no denying MayKay's superstar-like qualities.
I headed off to one of the bands I was excited about seeing and it was The Twilight Singers. Greg Duli is in my top 10 all time favourite songwriters and I love the sound from The Twilight Singers. Unfortuneately the biggest cheer from the crowd happened when the sun appeared from behind the crowds and the old naked dude decided to stand next to creating ample photo opportunities for a young crowd waiting for Greg Duli to stop singing and for Jessie J to appear.
U2 were just one out of three Irish acts I got to see in Glastonbury. Even in the rain on that Friday it was difficult not to be impressed by the set-list and the performance. For once I can say Bono didn't over-do the bullshit and they did what U2 do best and that is entertain with a greatest hits show. I loved how they began the gig with five tracks from Achtung Baby includeing the full Zoo TV tour visuals.
Even Better Than The Real Thing,
The Fly,
Mysterious Ways - Independent Women,
Until the End of the World,
One,
Jerusalem - Where the Streets Have No Name - All You Need Is Love,
I Will Follow,
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Movin' On Up,
Stay,
Beautiful Day - Rain,
Elevation,
Get On Your Boots,
She Loves You - Vertigo - Garageland,
Sunday Bloody Sunday,
Bad - Jerusalem,
Pride
Encore(s):
With or Without You - Love Will Tear Us Apart,
Yellow - Moment of Surrender,
Out of Control
Now for something a little different. Irish Electronic act King Kong Company have made a really nice video for their tune Uncle Trouble and it's a song I've really enjoyed listening to.
Here's the nicely worded press info anout the song; "Pearse McGloughlin and Enda Reilly have co-written a new song in Irish called ‘Ag Ol, Ag Ol ag an Garbhóg’. The name of the song comes from the Garavogue River on which Sligo is built. Sligo so ripe with folklore and history, is a perfect setting for the song as the piece deals with the idea that a place can inspire memories both real and imagined..... Enda has already written many songs in Irish and Pearse, as producer and presenter of longstanding music show ‘An Uair Dhraíochta’ on Raidió na Life is also a contributor to Gaelic cultural life.
I genuinely think the career path of John Spillane should be the goal of new bands out there at the moment. John records and releases new material every year as well as gets to tour countries like Australia and when he gigs he gets a handsome payment.
Catch John Spillane with support from Eoin Glackin in Howth's Abbey Tavern on July 16th.
DATE ----- Saturday 16th July 2011
TIME ------ Doors 730 pm / Show 9 pm
VENUE --- The Abbey Tavern,
Abbey Street,
Howth,
Dublin ,13
TEL ---- 018322006
WEB ---- www.abbeytavern.ie
TICKET -- 17 euro from venue by tel 018322006 or ticketmaster.ie
ARTIST --- JOHN SPILLANE
SUPPORT ACT --- Eoin Glackin
In honour of the fact that The Purple Sessions have found a new home in Boyles of Slane I'm going to post a video a day from the extensive list of videos uploaded onto YouTube over the last three years: http://www.youtube.com/MeAcousticSessions
Here's a version of Bruce Springsteen from Wexford's Odi;
It's rare to find an alternative rock album with clever lyrics these days but Reader's Wives have come up with the goods! One of the Irish albums of the year!
I love it when I find the right album at the right time. While I'm getting partial to the folk genre in my old [ish] days my heart still rests with the Pearl Jam formula of rock songs. That is a sound with clever lyrics, quality vocals to sing along to and enough catchy melodies to nod your head or possibly do a slow swaying dance! Reader's Wives have brought out an album which hits all the right spots for me at this moment in time.
Rachel's Apartment kicks off with three decent rocking tunes which display a Strokes influence. Of the three 'Wasted Youth' kept me awake last night as it was replayed time and again in my internal player. 'You Must Have Been Crazy' is an anti-love story about a womaniser who loses his wife to the singer. Many of the songs contain lyrics which are cutting observations of society and some are derogatory if taken out of context. A band with the name 'Reader's Wives' isn't going to be concerned with political correctness with a typical lyric like ".... I'm like a dog when I get pissed, climbing on the nearest bitch to me" in the closing track 'Serial Monogamy'.
While there isn't a bad tune on the album there are two wonderful songs on 'Rachel's Apartment' which stand out for me. 'A Sight For Sore Eyes' is a big anthem with a great chorus and is the type of big song which would be perfect for an end of mixtape song. [For those old enough to remember making mixtapes!]. The best song for me is 'Laughter/Commute'. The lyrics tell a great story about being away and reflecting on life with the chorus going "My before and after, my before and after, darkness turns to laughter, in Italy, Sicily".
In summery 'Rachel's Apartment' is an album of the highest quality which suits my life at this moment in time. The lyrics are thought-provoking, the vocals of Niall James Holohan are pleasant and effective and there's enough heavy rock tunes on here to enable a loud escape from the routine of life.
Reader's Wives - Rachel's Apartment [12 out of 12]
In honour of the fact that The Purple Sessions have found a new home in Boyles of Slane I'm going to post a video a day from the extensive list of videos uploaded onto YouTube over the last three years: http://www.youtube.com/MeAcousticSessions
'Beautiful' recorded in October 2009 is such a wonderful tune from Vitruvius;
As I was a judge on the Glastonbury Emerging Talent contest I am privileged to have a pass for this weekend's Glastonbury festival. Some of the bands I'm hoping to catch include Fight Like Apes, James Vincent McMorrow, Imelda May, U2, Paul Simon, The Twilight Singers, Morrissey, Deacon Blue as well as The Wombles!
I have a few posts scheduled for the weekend so there's still going to be posts to check out. Here's a few videos from Irish artists in the past at Glastonbury!
From 1995 here's Ash performing Kung Fu;
From 2004 a headline set from Damien Rice on the Other Stage;
Also from 2004 is Snow Patrol performing Run;
From 2008 The Swell Season had a prominent slot in the acoustic tent;
Lastly here's a gorgeous video of Julie Feeney performing in Glastonbury last year.
In honour of the fact that The Purple Sessions have found a new home in Boyles of Slane I'm going to post a video a day from the extensive list of videos uploaded onto YouTube over the last three years: http://www.youtube.com/MeAcousticSessions
Another favourite of mine is this epic folk rock tune from Entheos called 6 Day Gone:
The Black Crow is a wonderfully orchestrated piece of art which on the one hand contains charm and atmosphere while on the other hand contains lyrics that portrays loss and escapism. The Black Crow is not an album to immediately lift your mood but if you're 'digging in the pit' this album makes for good company!
Stuart Wilde is a Cork based artist who describes his music as 'alternative/blues/folk'. The Black Crow consists of Stuart's deep vocals, guitars, a wooden stomp box and the considerable violin talents of Kathryn Doehner. Stuart's style of music is totally unique, quirky and atmospheric. Any fan of Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen should check out this album!
The album kicks off with 'Lil' Ol' Restaurant' which is a charming little story about finding solace in your local restaurant. The other good-time song is 'Hot Damn' which is a fun tune about an infatuation with a girl with high heel boots.
The main theme of the album centers on an end to a relationship or the eagerness to escape. They describe the feeling of being stuck somewhere like the songs 'River of Mud' and 'For Love' or wanting to move on with life like 'Row That Boat' and 'Go'. The best track for me the charming but dark 'Digging in the Pit' with it's glorious yet punishing violin.
While many of the songs are charming it's not an album to brighten your mood. There is a limit to the formula of offer here and by track six I'm at my limit for the dark overtones. The Black Crow is a fiercely dark album in nature, tone and atmosphere but it has it's place if I need it to match my mood.
In honour of the fact that The Purple Sessions have found a new home in Boyles of Slane I'm going to post a video a day from the extensive list of videos uploaded onto YouTube over the last three years: http://www.youtube.com/MeAcousticSessions
This clip from Johnny Murphy was recorded way back in April 2009 and it's one of my favourite clips from The Purple Sessions.
A debut album from Johnny is on the way and I can't wait for it!
In honour of the fact that The Purple Sessions have found a new home in Boyles of Slane I'm going to post a video a day from the extensive list of videos uploaded onto YouTube over the last three years: http://www.youtube.com/MeAcousticSessions
Here's a wonderful performance from Keith Mullins from October 2009.
Aaron Shanley is a singer-songwriter from Lisburn, Northern Ireland has received notable ongoing support from the BBC, including BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio Ulster. He is a songwriter who reminds me of David Ford or even early David Gray!
Photo by Ronan McGrade
Aaron has toured extensively in the US, UK and Ireland in 2010, including dates supporting The Duke and The King, The Divine Comedy, Tom Baxter, Midge Ure, Iain Archer and Ricky Warwick and landed a North American publishing deal while in Los Angeles, California. He self-released his debut mini-album 'Let The Sun In' through his own label Love Gum Records in October 2010 with a sold out album launch show in Belfast. A bonus five-track EP 'The Nashville Sessions' was also released.
Eight years ago The Tycho Brahe released a spectacular double album entitled 'Love Life'. On it is this gorgeous song which I'm posting for Father's Day called 'My Father The Jeweller'.
When Nina Hynes performed at Cork X Southwest a few weeks ago she was backed by Carol Keogh's band and it was revealed that Carol will have a new album out by the end of the year. It's another album I'm excited about hearing. Check out her soundcloud page here: http://soundcloud.com/carolkeogh
Ever since Ham Sandwich turned up in the Irish version of 'Come Dine With Me' I have this irrational fear that they will appear in some other random TV show!
Murder Plan are a bluesy rock band from Dublin who I've written about many times in the last number of years. The video for a new single 'Drinkin' With The Devil' went online recently and it's a very polished video. The song is an 'In Yer Face' rock tune with some nice guitar rifts!
Explosive debut album from The Whatmans. Their big sound is not to everyone's taste but there's much to admire from the Navan band.
I've really enjoyed dissecting 'Fire Up The Masses', the debut album from The Whatmans. While I find it difficult to get excited about the edgy rock on offer; there is one really great tune among an album of bog standard 'nod you head' rock songs. 'Get You Off' has a superb bass line and guitar rift which reminds me of early 90's indie bands like Ride, Lush or Swervedriver. Other songs which are decent are 'Devil Shoes' and the opening track 'One For The Music'.
'Fire Up The Masses' displays the bands Kasabian/Oasis influences on it's sleeve and is therefore lacking on any real originality. That being said, this is an album which is designed to be in your face and to be played as loud as you can so who cares if it's not too original. The musicianship on offer is really tight and not over the top while the production is just right for the album.
Unfortunately I couldn't warm to the coarse vocals on many of the songs even though some of them are really catchy. There are lots of average tracks on the album and the lyrics don't offer a huge amount.
I do feel a tad sorry for rock bands like Jaded Sun, Kopek and The Whatmans as I simply don't think there's enough fans in Ireland who can support that style of music. Worldwide there's a market for the rock sounds of 'Fire Up The Masses' and I hope The Whatmans get to tour Europe and beyond with the album over the coming years.
01. One for the Music
02. Come Along
03. Messiahs and Monkeys
04. Thinkin' Champagne
05. Get You Off
06. Follow Me
07. Kiss the Mind
08. Devil Shoes
09. Soldier
10. Fire Up the Masses
I was at the Knockanstockan Launch in The Grand Social a few weeks back but I completely forgot to discuss the night or the extensive line-up. I was particularly delighted that many of the acts featured heavily on the blog have made the line-up:
Lineup
The Salad Circus
The Last Waltz
Wyvern Lingo
New Secret Weapon
More Tiny Giants
Veroa
Blind Yackety
Spellbound
The Amazing Few
Bipolar Empire
Zealots
Mutefish
Ross Breen
Sounds Of System Breakdown
Lisa McLaughlin
This Side Up
Absolutely Curtains
Spirit Riders
Enda Reilly
Hassle Merchants
Scarecrow Disco
Enemies
I Draw Slow
The Cujo Family
The Whipround
St. John The Gambler
The Gorgeous Colours
The Hot Sprockets
Fitzafrenic
Markas Carcas
Saiga Come On,
Live Long
Spook Of The 13th Lock
The Barley Mob
Noise Machine
Aisling Quinn
Tongue Bundle
The Candidates
The 9 Bars
Louis Barabbas
Gypsy Rebel Rabble
Raglans
The Young Folk
Bob Glynn
El Hombre Jokes
Sive
The Hundred Flower
Campaign
The Gandhis
CFIT
The Rambleers
Razor Ball
Arrow in the Sky
Pattanga
Chayka Nursery
Crimes Attention Bebe
Lotus Eater
Wicker Bones
We Cut Corners
The North Sea
Tom Cooney
Mescalito
Eric McGrath
Fiach
Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters
The GhostBusters
Fox.E & the Good Hands
King Modo
Kasper
Rosa Kill
Goliath
Liz Is Evil
Indecent Cigar Emporium
John Fairhurst
Rocket Surgery
Peter Space Invasion
Son of a Beast
Rebecca Collins
The Altered Hours
The Envelope
Sons Of Gingerbread
White Noise
The Cold 100
Groove
The Money Tree
Jack and The Band
Nico Fitz & the Smelly Beggars
The Gentlemen's Club
Rhiannon & the Face Collectors
Shoctopus
Padraig McCauley & the P Affection
Difference Engine
The Stoney Brokes
Pete & the Purehearts
Andy Earley
Guilty Boy Association
Adela & the Meanits
Surfing Champions of Mexico
Stefan Galt
James Guilmartin
Dave Clarke
Love Notes & Ashes
Matt Creedon & the Bad Men
It brings me to the band who I think is the best band in that considerable mix above. The Gorgeous Colours released an underrated debut album in 2009 and have followed it up with an excellent EP and this amazing song 'It's OK To Be Normal'. This is quite possibly the best track of the year so far released by an Irish band!
In an attempt to give the crowd what they want here is a trance song from Max Graham featuring Galway's Neev Kennedy doing her best Sarah McLaughlin imitation:
Just a week after The Temple House Festival comes No Place Like Dome set in the grounds of Temple House in Co. Sligo!
According to NPLD.ie ..... "The idea of No Place Like Dome is a simple one, that everyone is self sufficient and gets involved to create for a short time, an arena where people can let themselves go and give love and respect to their fellow man, asking nothing in return than kindness a bit of banter ( all in fancy dress of course)."
Here's a bunch of tunes from those bands playing the festival:
Moo
Johnny McGlinn
Trainwreck DJs
Jay Riordan
Daft Funk
Rory Lester
Karl Lambert
Cian O Connell
Colly & Conky
Mark Rogers
Tom Lowe ( Audio Sunshine )
DJ Zoe
Flavor8
Reader's Wives are giving you until the end of June to download for free their new album entitled Rachel's Apartment. The Oxegen bound band have an album launch in The Workman's Club on July 1st. Here's one of the best tracks from that album.
A consistently outstanding composer, Paul Archer aka Burning Codes has again produced an album which I find difficult to describe without using words like wonderful, amazing and brilliant.
'Rivers of Hope' is the third album from Burning Codes following the debut self-titled album of 2008 and last years Burning Codes 2. When an artist like Burning Codes produces consistently good albums I'm afraid I have to write another positive review for the band.
I'd compare the music of Burning Codes as a cross between Yo La Tengo and Snow Patrol with a touch of gospel in the mix. The songs individually contain massive big sounds such as haunting backing vocals and thundering drums which revolves around the hugely positive lyrics at it's core. This formula is what the Burning Codes sound is about and the result is a very uplifting positive listening experience.
The album kicks off in fine style with 'We Are Like Gold'. The title track is another piece of positivity where we listen and believe that 'Rivers of Hope flow through us'. My favourite track is the indie sounding 'Switch' which wouldn't sound out of place on any indie rock radio station in the world. I love the chilled out Sunday morning feel to 'The Ladder'.
The one criticism I have of the album is that the quality tails off by the end of the ten tracks and they don't compare favourably to the tracks written about above. 'Rivers of Hope' is still however a quality album and Burning Codes is a great band that I won't ever get tired of spreading the word about.
Recorded live at the Marquee in Cork last night this is Ken Griffen with his band Favourite Sons and The Frames with Jake Clemons performing the Rollerskate Skinny classic 'Speed to my Side'.
The indie rock band risen from the ashes of Sickboy and 8Ball write indie tunes which remind me of mid 90s Creation Records era and they provide a very different sound to what is out there at the moment. Check out the debut single 'Paris'.
Banquet @ Tripod, Dublin June 25th
Strange Brew @ Roisin Dubh, Galway, July 7th
McCarthys Pub Dingle, Kerry July 8th
ELECTRIC PICNIC, 2nd-4th September {stage & day TBC}
Friday is covers day and today I'm sharing the wonderful 'Why?' from SJ McArdle's new album 'Blood & Bones' released June 24th. 'Why?' is the Annie Lennox classic and SJ's deep voice perfectly suits the tenderness of the track.
As you can see below the launch is looking really special with an afternoon Tea Party in the Black Box followed by an indoor Garden Party in the Oh Yeah Centre. Guests include Duke Special, Master & Dog, Silhouette and The Lowly Knights.
The Temple House Festival takes place in Sligo this coming weekend and it's a masssive line-up in terms of the number of bands playing and the quality of music on offer.
00.50 Late Session - The Amazing Few
23.15 Stereo MCs
21.45 Whipping Boy
20.30 Kerbdog
19.25 Stand
18.35 Miracle Bell
17.50 Preachers Son
17.00 TKO
16.15 Land Lovers
15.30 Hogan
14.45 Karma Parking
17.15 Cool Hand Dukes
16.15 Souls
15.20 Dub Doctor Sound System
14.25 Merchants of Fortune
13.45 Tim Cobain & band
13.00 The Axcents
12.15 Lost Colours
Acoustic Stage
21.30 Rory and The Island
20.15 Dave Morrissey
19.15 Rory Faithfield
18.15 Aisling O’Reilly
17.00 The Ball & Chain
16.15 Bailer
15.30 David Burke
14.40 Wyvern Lingo
15.05 Tupelo
14.20 Sweet Jane
13.35 2Minutes2Midnight
Music Maker Stage
22.00 Bipolar Empire
20.45 Riptide Movement
19.45 Oddsocks Revival
18.45 Roisin O
17.30 Heathers
16.45 The Barley Mob
16.00 The Plea
15.15 Colin Scallan
Lumiere are one of a bunch of Irish artists who have contributed to a charity single in aid of Magdalene Survivors Ireland and to help build a National Monument to commemorate all Magdalenes;
From a Distance (feat. Sinead O' Connor, Tommy Fleming, Daniel O' Donnell, Brian Kennedy, Moya Brennan, Ann Scott, Charlie Landsborough, Patrick Sheehy, Lumiere, the Glasgow Gospel Choir)
Last week I described Cork XSW 2011 as my dream festival line-up and it did not fail to impress in any way. I loved everything from the line-up to the surroundings to the atmosphere and charm. I also loved how I got to hear possibly the best voice in Ireland ......
There really can't be a better location for a festival. Set in the Liss Ard estate the main stage took it's place downhill from the Liss Ard house with the second stage nestled within the walled backyard of the house. The Vibrations area was tucked away out of ear shot from the other stages and furnished with attractive artwork. Within these environments lay the foundations of a great festival. In terms of this review I didn't get to see all of the set from every band mentioned and we were in the company of my three children throughout.
In terms of bands Cork XSW had everything. There was the iconic artist who was on a different artistic planet [Patti Smith]. There were the nostalgic artists [Echo & The Bunnymen, Peter Hook, Drugstore]. There were bands for the kids [Jape, Yuck, We Cut Corners], the local favourites [Interference, Fred, Mick Flannery], the trad [Meeting House, Guidewires] the weird [Balken Beat Box, West Cork Ukulele Orchestra], the wonderful [God is an Astronaut, Favourite Sons, Dr. Millar] and then there were the amazing talented acts who once had a following in Ireland but have found the music world difficult to navigate recently [Alien Envoy, Katell Keineg, Nina Hynes].
Saturday
Our festival kicked off with the wonderful Dr. Millar who played songs I simply adore in the sun within a beautiful walled garden. A bissful way to 'Feel Everything & Love Yourself'.
After a bit of exploration we went back to the De Barra's stage for a bit of traditional music in the form of Meeting House. They were quickly followed by Nick Kelly's Alien Envoy featuring Joe Chester on guitar. After a short nap my daughter decides that it'd be a good idea to dance to The Fat Lady Sings' Arclight and Alien! The highlight of the set was '45' where every line of the song is a song title from the past:
The first major surprise of the weekend was when I really enjoyed Mick Flannery's set. I'm familiar with Mick's songs but the quality of his stage performance really impressed me and I'd go to see Mick in concert again. His band were amazing.
From there it was off to DeBarra's sitting room for the best personal find of the weekend. Conall from We Cut Corners is the best vocalist working in Ireland at the moment. His voice reminds me of Emmett Tinley's voice and their songs are wonderful!
A quick dash down to the main stage to see Drugstore and Isobel who are only to happy to be playing in front of a big appreciative crowd. After the amazing 'El Presidente' was played we had another quick dash back to the sitting room for Interference. There was a huge amount to love in the set in particular the musicianship, the vocals of Fergus as well as the quality of the songs. In a day where I'm finding it difficult to find any flaws in the performances I'm not particularly blown away by Interference. Saturday night ended with Favourite Sons whose new album 'The Great Deal of Love' is probably the most listened to album in 2011. I lapped up every note, sound and lyric from the band who had to compete with Joy Division and Echo & The Bunnymen for attention.
Sunday
Our Sunday began with a spot of arts n crafts for the kids in the Vibrations area where my sons made these little puppet guys:
..... and was followed by the amazing and weird West Cork Ukulele Orchestra. It was a funny little journey through many great tunes performed by an orchestra of Ukulele playing musicians.
Here's a video of the band from a gig a few weeks back:
It was off to the main stage for Nina Hynes first gig in three years. Backed by Carol Keogh and her band of seasoned musicians Nina produced one of the best performances of the festival with a set of mainly new tracks which will hopefully make it's way onto a new record: http://www.fundit.ie/project/goldmine
I managed to see Nina Hynes and LOWmountain with just a Heineken Cup for company. LOWmountain are a superb Country Folk band who if there is any justice would become global stars in their field. While the songs are well written it's the vocals, lyrics and harmonies which makes the band stand out from the ordinary.
While Jape was doing his thing on the second stage I was in the main arena for Katell Keineg's short acoustic set to a small but appreciative crowd. It was great to hear 'Franklyn' and 'A Gulf of Araby' live again.
The icon Patti Smith was outstanding but I moved on after a while to the Vibrations area where Kila's Ronan O Snodaigh was enriching the crowd with his musical aura. The quality within the festival never once let up and when I caught the beginning of Yuck I understood the hype. I however wanted to be blown away so I went to hear the mighty God is an Astronaut and wow. It was apocalyptic!
The final band we caught was Cork darlings Fred. I don't think much of the current album and therefore while their performance was high energy and entertaining I was happy to leave mid set and head back down the hill to the campsite.
It's been good going over to the festival facebook to read the positive comments; http://www.facebook.com/corkxsw from attendees. Musically and spiritually it has set a bar for other festivals to reach. I am a tad worried that no other festival will reach the heights that Cork XSW achieved this year. Well done CorkXSW: http://www.corkxsw.com/
2 U I Bestow named after the Mundy track on the 'Romeo & Juliet' soundtrack is the music website of an experienced Maths Teacher moonlighting as a Freelance Music Journalist.
I write about Irish artists only on this site. I also have a new website promoting all the free albums I find on bandcamp: http://freeirishalbums.wordpress.com/
This is a hobby not a living! If your music is included here feel free to email me to get it removed. However be aware that your music will be featured on the popular site elbo.ws!
