主播大秀

Some say variety is the spice of life 鈥� others (namely myself, Brian Coney) reckon it鈥檚 heading straight to the pub straight after knocking around the gym for twenty minutes.听No matter! When it comes to music 鈥� the more local, the better 鈥� variety is what it's all about. Cue this week鈥檚 choice of three acts guaranteed to get you feeling all 鈥渆clectic鈥� and shizz.

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Steering Fail - Dress Rehearsal
Belfast-based three-piece Steering Fail have been on the local scene for a while now nit only recently have they managed to capture what they鈥檙e all about over the course of a full-length EP, set for release on May 18h. Placed extremely well nicely between alt-prog, schizophrenic thrash punk and straight up hardcore, 鈥楧ress Rehearsal鈥� from the EP sessions epitomises the kind of battle-cry sound that they鈥檝e worked had to perfect over the last few months.

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Volume Control: Fighting with Wire, Abandcalledboy, 20 Second Century,
Oh yeah, Belfast
Friday 27th May

鈥淭ake some earplugs, apparently it鈥檚 gonna get loud!鈥� What a way to welcome someone to a gig! Tonight鈥檚 triple bill of rock, roll and everything in between takes place in Belfast鈥檚 Oh Yeah centre, as part of their all-ages gig night Volume Control.

are very tight from the get go. Everything from the vocals to the guitar solos are clear as day, with perhaps the backing vocals the only area needing a serious lift. 鈥淭he Art of Growing Up鈥� resonates well with the predominantly teenage audience, and perhaps a few of the older generation harking back to those carefree days when Jimmy Eat World and Green Day were part of their staple music diet.

Making the fair assumption that much of the audience is new to their music, they throw in a few covers. Fallout Boy鈥檚 鈥淪ugar, We鈥檙e Goin Down鈥� is a carbon copy of the original, so it would have been interesting to see the guys make it their own. Later in the set comes their 鈥榝unny鈥� song, which turns out to be loser anthem 鈥淭eenage Dirtbag鈥� by Wheatus. The band share the singing duties, and guitarist Philip McKinney bravely takes on the feminine vocal section which not only raises a few laughs, but is enough to get the audience front and centre, joining in on the fun.

Banbridge based quickly gain some new fans by dishing out free stickers before diving head first into their set, accompanied by their electric stage presence and cheeky banter. Bassist Sean Donnelly steals the show as he stomps and slides around the stage, eventually joking that these moves will someday make it onto a Yoga DVD.

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The Filthy Six, The Jepettos, Kris Platt, Andy Briggs, Rams Pocket Radio
Hudson Bar, Belfast
Friday 27th May

Communion continues to enjoy a fine run in Belfast and has so far graced venues like the Black Box and The Stiff Kitten, but tonight鈥檚 event sees the turn of The Hudson Bar to host the international club night. Headliners are Londoners The Filthy Six with support from The Jepettos and an unadvertised set from Rams鈥� Pocket Radio.

Sets by Kris Platt (More Than Conquerors) and Andy Briggs, both on a singer-songwriter tip, appear plagued by sound issues on the night, making it difficult to give a decent account.

Let鈥檚 get straight to听then. Fronted by husband and wife duo Mike and Ruth Aicken The Jepettos have a treat in store for us with half an hour of wistful, folky pop played by a band of multi-instrumentalists undoubtedly enjoying themselves. Standout tracks include numbers from the band鈥檚 EP 鈥楽tart A New People鈥� including 'Goldrush' and 'Good Times'.听One of the night鈥檚 highlights came when Nick from The Filthy Six and LJ from the The Lambing Season joined The Jepettos on to play horns on the heart-warming 'Should鈥檝e Kissed You More'.

Next up was the special guest set from . He complains that he 's been stuck in the studio breathing bad air and shut off from human contact, so he's just glad to be out. And it shows.

He's in exuberant form with a mix of his established material including 'Dieter Rams Has Got The Pocket Radio' and '1+2' with some new numbers. One of which, 'Aria' enjoyed its first outing tonight. The听crowd love it and it will help warm him up for the UK tour next month.

The headliners are up next. All the way from foggy ol鈥� London Town, introduce themselves with the immortal line from Monty Python; 鈥楢nd now for something completely different鈥� before getting stuck into a set of jazz, soul and boogaloo taken from 2010鈥檚 debut album The Filthy Six听and their newest one The Fox. Led by the trumpet of songwriter Nick Etwell and driven by the funky organ of Pete Whittaker, The Hudson does indeed get something completely different.

They aren鈥檛 given the same audience attention that Rams鈥�... gets, but that's more to do with Rams' local hero status than the quality of music or musicianship because The Filthy Six must be the best bunch of musicians Belfast has seen for a while. It's dazzling as they trade solos and riffs with virtuosity.

Dancing shoes are well worn through by the end of the gig thanks to tracks like 'Get Carte'r, 'Fingerbite', the title track from the new album and a jazzy instrumental of Amy Winehouse鈥檚 'Rehab'.

It was a bit of a departure for Communion Belfast but the mix of styles on the night worked well.

Owen McNulty

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Therapy? will headline this summer's Glasgowbury Festival, the organisers have revealed.

The East Antrim rock legends have enjoyed a career spanning four decades, and have been responsible for such hits as 'Potato Junkie', 'Nowhere' and 'Screamager'.

Other confirmed acts include Silhouette, Our Krypton Son, VerseChorusVerse, Space Dimension Controller, Ryan Vail, Amidships, Pretty Child Backfire, Fightin With Wire, the Japanese Popstars, Axis Of, runaway GO, Best Boy Grip, SOAK, Sons of Caliber, The Host (aka Barry Lynn), Deep Fried Funk and Psycatron.

The annual event will take place this year at Eagle's Rock, near draperstown, Co. Derry on July 21st. Previous headliners include Ash, The Answer and General Fiasco.

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Polar Beyond, Blue Whale and Distracter
White鈥檚 Tavern, Belfast
Thurs 26th April

It鈥檚 not often you go to a gig and are greeted at the door with a plate of tray bakes, but we think it鈥檚 something that more bands should do! With our brownies in hand, White鈥檚 Tavern doubles up as a substitute for our granny鈥檚 house.

First band up this evening are . A relatively new act, they don鈥檛 talk much during the set and come across as endearingly shy onstage. Opening with a song called 鈥楤lip鈥�, they tell us that it鈥檚 the first time their bassist has added his parts to the song outside of practice, but it all comes together well. Their sound is a strange cocktail of electronica, grungy guitars, and mellow vocals, an unusual mix by any means, but when it works, it works really well. Unfortunately it doesn鈥檛 always work - timings tend to fluctuate during the set, and on occasion it feels more like three separate musicians onstage than a band. There鈥檚 definitely talent there and it鈥檚 the beginnings of something really unique, but they need to overcome those nerves and really let themselves go onstage.

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听 will release his new album听Oh Pioneer on the 18th of June and today he as released his new single, which is also the third track on the album, as a free download. Visit听听to get the track which is called, 'Punch of a Friend'.

The Belfast based artist will go on tour from May across the UK & Ireland. His next Northern Irish gig will take place on May 12th at the Waterfront, Belfast with the Ulster Orchestra.

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Back on May the 5th 2007, the听听opened it's doors to the public for the first time (And we got a sneak peek of the building for ATL TV). To mark the occassion there will be two events held at the centre on Saturday the 5th of May.

From 11am to 5pm there will be a free open day with music from听Katie Richardson and Colly Strings, a Demo Drop for new bands, a Fighting With Wire live session in the studio, tours of the building/exhibition and听Bandwidth will present films of classic Oh Yeah events. There will also be a barbeque in the car park and a live, 'Caravan Jam'.听

Later that evening there will be a ticketed gig featuring Bronagh Gallagher, Robyn G Shiels, VerseChorusVerse, Our Krypton Son, Conor Mason and special guests.

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Back in the third series of ATL TV, Stuart Bailie (CEO of the Oh Yeah) gave Rigsy a tour of the building before any work was done and he outlined his plans for the venture. Watch the episode that was broadcast on the 22nd of Feburuary 2007.

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Following the news last week that Massive Attack will now not be playing Derry this summer, the initiative have announced their plans for a concert on June 21st in the city.

The event, to take place at Ebrington Square will feature Guillemots, Newton Faulkner, Imelda May and Derry-Londonderry's own Wonder Villains.

The gig will form part of the London 2012 Festival a series of events to coincide with International Peace Day on September 21st.

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The reformed Ben Folds Five have announced they will play Vicar Street, Dublin on the 26th of November. Tickets go on sale next Friday the 4th fo May.

Last year Ben Folds Five reunited to record three tracks for Ben Folds, 'The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective'. The groups last album was听The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner back in 1999.听

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The bill will now be completed by Downpatrick four piece The Answer, FM and Sweet Savage.

Other acts confirmed for Belsonic 2012 are Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Skrillex and Tom Jones.

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are set to return to Northern Ireland this November. The Detroit rockers will play the Limelight, Belfast on November 30th.

The band will play their breakthrough 2003 album 'Fire' in its entirety. The LP听features some of the band's best known hits including 'Gay Bar', 'Danger, High Voltage' and 'Dance Commander' .

Last year the group, led by Dick Valentine, played a sold out show in the adjacent Spring and Airbrake venue.

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The singer songwriter released his EP 'Paper Boats' back in March. He will also play听 in June and in August.

Dates:

May 3rd - The Odessa, Dublin (with The Man Whom)
May 4th - McHughs, Belfast (with Mick Flannery)
May 9th - The Pavilion, Cork (with The Man Whom)
May 12th - Roisin Dubh, Glaway (with Mick Flannery)
May 20th - Whelans, Dublin (with Scott McWatt)
May 27th - Arts Centre, Wexford (with The Man Whom)

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We've always leapt upon any opportunity to big up Volume Control. A hugely enthusiastic and passionate teen collective who refuse to just complain about a lack of all ages gigs in Belfast - instead they host their own. And it works a treat - pretty much every band in the country is super-keen to play all ages shows, knowing they'll be rewarded with a great response. In the past everyone from Ash to Duke Special and Cashier #9 have played for Volume Control and loved it.

This time around, it's . They've hit the comeback trail hard (and then some) with an absolute belter of a new single - 'Colonel Blood' (below) was the onslaught you heard opening this week's ATL.

'We love what the Volume Control guys are doing, all ages shows are always great fun", explained Cahir O'Doherty, FWW head honcho. 'We're currently playing some material from our new album which is finally getting a release this year so we're super excited.'

What an understatement. After a couple of years of having their head melted by the industry, unable to release their new album, forced into a rut. Now they've been unleashed, are releasing the aforementioned album for free and, we're told, are in the form of their lives onstage....well, need we say more?

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,and play Volume Control @ The Oh Yeah Centre this Friday (April 27th).

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As previously reported听Feeder, Jape, The Frank and Walters, The Japanese Popstars and Delorentos have all been confirmed for Cork'sfrom the 3rd to 5th of August in Mitchelstown.听

Now over fourty acts have been added to play over the 3 day festival including 2manydjs, Beardyman, Scroobius Pip joining Irish acts such a Ham Sandwich, Fighting With Wire, We Cut Corners and many more.

For more info visit .

List of acts so far:
Maverick Sabre
Bressie
This Club
Spies

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will play the Mandela Hall, Belfast on Tuesday the 26th of June. Tickets go on sale this Monday.

M83, which is the brainchild of Anthony Gonzalez, released their sixth studio album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming听late last year. The band last played in Belfast at the Speakeasy, Belfast in October 2008.
As reported previously, M83 also are also playing the Body & Sould festival in Co. Westmeath in June.

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The Staves, Christof
McHugh鈥檚, Belfast
23rd April 2012

It鈥檚 a sold out gig in McHugh鈥檚 basement tonight; the place is as full as a butcher鈥檚 dog and we鈥檙e all eager to hear some fine folk. First to the stage is , armed - in true folky style - with only a guitar and harmonica. Originally from The Netherlands but having lived in Galway for a stint, he鈥檚 no stranger to these shores. He鈥檚 got style, and I鈥檓 quite envious of his gravity defying hair-do.

His music is a lovely blend of whimsical folk, but always with an essential catchy hook. After a slight technical hitch, he launches into 鈥楾he Ghost Of Corrib鈥檚 Lady鈥� and the title of his latest E.P 鈥楬oney Tears鈥� back to back, his songs of love and life being lapped up by this evening鈥檚 crowd. Inviting The Staves on the stage to tackle a bit of backing harmony on 鈥楳ind Yourself鈥�, with perfect vocal throughout and a chorus that creeps up on you, it builds into a stomper and is a sign of things to come.

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听returns this year on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of August in Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh. The festival takes place on a small family farm and also hosts art, poetry and films amongst it's line up of local bands.

Visit for more information on the festival.

Line Up:

Bad Operator
Katharine Philippa
Strait Laces
runaway GO
Wonder Villians
Feet For Wings
In Case Of fire
More Than Conquerors
Sullivan and Gold
Farriers
Morning Claws
Master & Dog
Go Wolf
Colly Strings
Not Squares
Katie & the Carnival
Before Machines
Axis Of听
David C. Clements
The Lowly Knights
Crooksy's

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Orange Goblin with support from By Any Means and Wizards of Firetop Mountain
The Spring and Airbrake,听Belfast
Saturday April 21st 2012

It鈥檚 the last night of the tour and the Spring and Airbrake is packed with with beer fuelled rockers within minutes of the doors opening.

are in charge of starting the night and open with one of their best known tracks 'Sonic War'. It鈥檚 testament to their reputation that the venue is filled from the start of their set. It鈥檚 a rare occasion to see the opening act get such a good crowd and the reaction is justified as we are treated to an outstanding set. A broken guitar amp on stage sees Paul from jump onstage to help out his fellow rockers and after some fiddling abou, they get it working again. 听Meanwhile, we're treated to an impromptu instrumental session which sounded like it was always meant to be there rather than a guitar rescuing filler. It鈥檚 great to see musicians helping each other out too - that camaraderie is apparent throughout the night with surprise appearances onstage during all three sets. The Wizards wield an unrelenting sound sometimes doom like, often more blues filled rock and in songs like 'Warrior', backed by galloping rhythms not unlike Iron Maiden鈥檚 trademark style.

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It's been a whole month since I brought you听your last dose of metal here on Across The Line听but don't worry folks I have some great bands picked to quench your thirst this week!

- Cheap For Thrills
Spear-heading a genre we're not allowed to name on here as they love their naughty words, 听this loveable bunch of rogues are a perfect example听of spandex clad eyeliner wearing听backcombed drunken debauchery.听Imagine if the New York Dolls and Motely Crue had a drinking game and swapped clothes and messed up eachother's hair- the result would be .

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Desert Hearts, Third Man Theme, Charles Hurts
Menagerie Belfast
Friday, April 21, 2012

The man with the best band name in Belfast (sorry pipped at the post鈥�) is slowly but surely coming into his own. After a period of fronting a slightly ramshackle three-piece band, Philip Quinn has been joined by Steven Henry (, ex-Clone Quartet among others), and are all the better for it. There are a couple of false starts as the pair struggle to sync up with the laptop, but once into their stride, the strength of Quinn's songwriting shines through. He recently joined as a guitarist and synth player, and fans of that band's gloomy post-punk aesthetic will feel at home with Charles Hurts, but just as important is Quinn's love for crystalline Sixties pop. His jangling guitar and rich croon mesh with the glorious twang of Henry's six-string bass, and the pair end on a high note with the help of backing singers "The Hurtsettes". 'Ain't Going Nowhere' sounds like a decades-old FM radio classic, while their sinister doo-wop cover of 1963 obscurity 'The Answer Is No' is a seriously classy way to finish.

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Belfast ska punk band will celebrate their 10th birthday with a special show at the Mandela Hall, Belfast on May 12th. The 'Pocket Billiard's Ten Year Take Down Party' will also be the launch of the band鈥檚 second studio album Last Chance to Dance.听

, and (Dublin) will support on the night.

The band are giving away an album track called, 'So Many People, So Little Time' 听for free on now.

Pockets Billiards first played in Giro's, Belfast ten years ago and released their first album in 2009.听

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Ryan Adams
Waterfront Hall, Belfast
20th April, 2012

It鈥檚 a full house in the Waterfront, not many can claim that these days but Ryan Adams certainly can. With Adams, his reputation from his wild days always seems to precede him. Back then he was known for his prima donna tantrums and cantankerous approach from time to time so there鈥檚 the inevitable nervous anticipation in the room. 鈥榃hat kind of form is he going to be in?鈥�. In double denim he marches on stage with purpose, lifts one of his instantly recognisable 鈥楤uck Owens鈥� guitars and launches straight into 鈥極h My Sweet Carolina鈥�. There鈥檚 a sigh of relief. He鈥檚 in good form...phew! He follows 'Carolina' with the title track of his latest offering 鈥楢shes and Fire鈥�. The singer belts it out and it鈥檚 more than good, showing that his new stuff is for sure his best work since 鈥楬eartbreaker鈥�.

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Whats your favourite 'farming' song? The Wurzels 'I've Got A Brand New Combine Harvester'? Bob Dylans 'Maggies Farm'? Steely Dan's 'Black Cow'? Why do we ask? Well, 'Farm Week Live' starts tomorrow across 主播大秀 Radio Ulster and we thought what better way to get involved than having a distinctly agricultural theme throughout the show his Monday!

So get your suggestions in via here,, or email atl@bbc.co.uk

主播大秀 Radio Ulster's Farm Week Live runs from Saturday until the 27th of April. As well as a farming focus across much of the stations normal programming, there will also be a special live show every weekday morning from 10am-10:30am presented by Helen Mark and Enda McClafferty. Get involved via the facebook or email FarmWeekLive@bbc.co.uk.

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Now in it's fifth year, returns tomorrow (April 21st ) to bring independently owned record stores together with artists to "celebrate the art of music" .

The international celebration will see limited-edition vinyls released from labels and artists around the world including Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Death Cab for Cutie, Patti Smith and . Independent Record Stores around the world will also host in store gigs as well as selling the exclusive vinyls.

Northern Irish Events for Record Store Day (All Free):

DNST & Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast
Time:听12pm-8pm
Live Acts:Tom McShane, Sad City, Sketch Nine, Third Man Theme, and Kiani
DJ Sets: Belfast Music Club, Timmy Stewart, Tw!tch, AU Magazine DJs and Parsley Monkphat
For set times visit their .听

Magpie Records, Ann Street, Belfast
Time: 1pm-6pm
Acts: BEW, The Couth, The Secret Sermon, SINA, Geoff Hatt, The Hungry Ear
For set times visit their .

Cool Discs, Derry
Event also around the corner at Sandinos Bar, Derry
Starts: 2pm
Acts: Mars Field,Arkeye,Wood Burning Savages and Strength

Music Master, Omagh
Start: TBC
Acts: Johnny Walker Wisdom, Ryan Dallas and more...

There are also events in Dublin, Galway, Dungarvan, Newbridge and many more. Visit 听for more info. If you're organising an event, let us know at atl@bbc.co.uk.

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Lostprophets
Ulster Hall, Belfast
16th April 2012

It鈥檚 a wet, windy Monday evening and are in Belfast for the second date of their tour. Rumour has it they were pumping iron in the local gym before taking to the stage 鈥� it鈥檚 only apt that they were preparing to treat us to a 鈥榞un show鈥� for their fifth studio release, Weapons.

The stage set up is impressive; there鈥檚 a massive Lostprophets backdrop and when they blast off with opener, 'Bring 鈥楨m Down', we鈥檙e blinded by strobes of white light interspersed with blue spotlights. It鈥檚 mightily impressive even if it鈥檚 a little difficult to look at the stage for too long at a time.

The opening segment of the set is largely made up of new songs and it鈥檚 safe to say it鈥檚 a slow start for Watkins and co. After initially seeming more interested in ensuring his asymmetrical haircut swooped to his left, he eventually loosens up a little and lets it hang to the right. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what rock鈥檔鈥檙oll is all about. The crowd are a little subdued and Watkins is visibly frustrated 鈥� he attempts to engage the crowd, asking them to sing-a-long but the response is muted. He says he feels like he鈥檚 at a wake and asks, 鈥淲ould you rather be watching Emmerdale farm?鈥�. It鈥檚 a little awkward.

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Singer and actress will play the Limelight in Belfast on June 2nd.

The Derry-born artist who also plays drums, is set to release the self-titled follow up to her 2004 Meteor-nominated debut LP 'Precious Soul' this summer.

Bronagh's current single 'Fool' is

As an actress, Gallagher has appeared in Hollywood hits such as The Commitments, Star Wars and Pulp Fiction.

Her band include .听

Bronagh will also play Whelans in Dublin on June 1st.

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have announced fourteen further additional acts for this summer's festival.

The 3 day event, which takes place in Stradbally, Co. Laois from Aug 31-Sept 2nd will now boast the legendary as well as , and听. The already revealed lin up includes and .

Now in its ninth year, the annual music and arts festival have also announced , 听, , , , , and

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Showcase 1:
May 16th, The Limelight Belfast
Master and Dog
Gerard i2
Havana House Party
Jepettos

Showcase 2:
May 17th, The Limelight Belfast
City Of Stars
Futurescope
Peter McVeigh
Trucker Diablo

Showcase 3:
May 23rd , Bound For Boston, Derry-Londonderry
A Northern Light
Best Boy Grip
Mojo GoGo
Rachel Austin

Showcase 4:
May 24th, Bound For Boston, Derry-Londonderry
Droids
Morning Claws
Pretty Child Backfire
Two Glass Eyes

T Vital will take place听at Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast with Foo Fighters headlining on Tuesday 21st and Stone Roses headlining on Wednesday 22nd August.

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Belfast's Ulster Hall will be the focus of a month long schedule of events to celebrate it's 150th year next month. The iconic听listed听venue was originally opened back in 1862 and has hosted some of the worlds most famous acts over the years, from Charles Dickens to听Led Zeppelin.

Over the month fo May, there will be live music, films, talks and lectures, exhibitions and much more. Visit for more info. Some of the music highlights include:

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There's no doubting ATL's infatuation with the noisy north coast - sure we dedicated an entire hour to the subject last week. So goes without saying we're excited about who sum up, in a nasty little nutshell, exactly what's so great about the average band in their neighbourhood right now.

A young five piece hardcore outfit with bags of talent, a decent work ethic and a surprising amount of melody. Thats how they roll up in Portrush!

Here's Danny, guitarist with the band explaining why he's excited about what is ATL's gig of the week:

'It's awesome to return to again, as it's arguably the best platform for local bands around. We're so hyped to have our pals and as support too, everyone should check them out now! Our new release听Lands More Hostile on听is limited to 100 handmade physical copies which will go on sale on the night. If you'd like to see 13 men play some music they're passionate about then we'll see you there!'

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Lantern for a Gale, Grader and Manes play Radar at QUBSU this Thursday.

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Sea of Bees, Elspeth
McHughs Basement, Belfast
Friday 13th April 2012

Tonight at McHughs basement we have , the Sacramento based group of Jules Baenziger who specialise in melodious lyrics, experimental tunes and emotionally resonant music. For fans of folk-rock we are in for a treat with songs from past album 鈥楽ongs for the Ravens鈥� and the newly released 鈥極rangefarben鈥�.

Before we get to the main event we have an, an alt-rock five piece from Northern Ireland who have recently supported Dog is Dead and Cashier No9. They have almost finished their debut album 鈥楥oax鈥� and we are treated to a selection of songs that suggest with the right production, these young guys may have a bright future ahead of them.

Their vocalist is easily the standout of the act, his voice ranging from Art Garfunkel to the more modern Hamilton Leithauser of The Walkmen. It has a versatile quality which gives the songs a big boost. Moody and mournful at times, this is a group that belies their age with 鈥楾hink Back鈥� being a real standout. If the rest of the album can capture the same aural ability, this debut could well be a sleeping giant.

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NI singer-songwriter Allie Bradley will release her third EP in June.

The five track release will feature songs co-written with her long time collaborator Aaron Shanley as well as ,听Mark McAllister of and Mark Graham.

Allie also duets with a songwriter from Nashville, on a track听'The Simplest of Freedoms' which听in advance of the release.

In 2011 Bradley released her debut and second EPs entitled ' and 听

The EP 'Two' will be available from June 11th.

As yet, no live dates have been confirmed to support the release but the previous EPs saw tours in various venues around Ireland.

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Good internet to you, blog reader. It鈥檚 Phily Taggart back on stank patrol here at the New Band Smell. It鈥檚 been over a month since the last time I鈥檝e checked in and since then I have amassed a bindle (yes bindle) of tunes so brimming it鈥檚 fit to burst. Here are three select cuts from my collection:

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Portaferry鈥檚 young answer to has an ample sleeve that he has acoustically displayed his heart on. Extremely promising!

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Neil Hannon (aka ) has written an Opera called 'Sevastopol' which follows the young writer Leo Tolstoy's journey through the Crimean war.听

The half hour show is part of a series called OperaShots at听Royal Opera House in London, which invites leading talent from other fields to "break the mould and take a brand new shot at opera".

This year also see's minimalist composer Graham Fitkin taking part, while听Stewart Copeland, Jocelyn Pook and Terry Jones have all been part of the project over the last three years.

The opera runs for 6 nights, with the first this Friday the 20th of April.

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The will release their debut album, Years Ago In Our Backyard at the Black Box in Belfast on the 27th of May.听The Co. Down folk troupe will launch the release with support from and at the gig night.

The album was recorded recorded at Hillhouse Studios over the last three years. The Farriers previously released their 'Coastlines' EP back in 2009.听

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Wicklow's returns to 听Blessington lakes in Lacken from the 27th to the 29th of July. The annual 3-day music festival focuses on Irish acts and this year is no different from the batch of acts they announced today.

The line up so far:

Arrow in the Sky, Blind Yackety, Best Boy Grip, Christof, Crow Black Chicken, Cat Dowling, Cry Monster Cry, Earthship, Elk, Enda Reilly, Fox E. & The Good Hands, Guilty Boy Association, Hassle Merchants, Indecent Cigar Emporium, king Modo, Little X's For Eyes, Louis Barabba & The Bedlam Six, Medulla, Mikey & The Scallywags, Mojo Gogo, Raglans, Rocket Surgery, Ross Breen, Sal vitro, Sive, Sara red, Swords, The Bambir, the Envelope, The fitzafrenic, The hot Sprokects, The Louisiana Six, The Riptide Movement, Trap Door, Twin Headed Wolf, Veroa, Wizards of Firetop Mountain, Wyvern Lingo

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North Coast hardcore five piece, will release their second EP, 'Lands More Hostile' on Savour Your Scene records next Thursday the 19th of April.

In support of the release, the band go on a joint tour with Scottish outfit next week which includes Radar in Belfast and the Retro Bar in Portrush.

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Dates:
19th Radar QUBSU - Belfast
20th Retro Bar - Portrush
21st Fred Zepplins - Cork
22nd The Cellar - Galway

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Cedric Has A Name, Bouts, Amateur Historians
The Menagerie, Belfast
12th April 2012

There are a few heads around tonight for the local music triple header, and only 拢3 at the听door?! Where would you get it?, that鈥檚 where. Chris Steenson, AKA is 铿乺st to the mic. Armed with 2 guitars, a nylon string and a fender and no听frills he starts with 鈥楨mpty Avenue鈥� a song from his upcoming E.P. to mucho applause, after听which he mutters "I don鈥檛 know why you鈥檙e clapping, that was f***ing awful". It was far from听it; it was quality and this self-deprecating approach makes it all the more endearing. He鈥檚 a听handy guitarist and the songs are great, tonight though he鈥檚 not getting the order he听deserves. His music would be more suited to the quiet and more intense venue
and听audience. He does beg comparison to the likes of or but there鈥檚听nothing wrong with that, it鈥檚 a good thing. He 铿乶ishes with 鈥榃hat We Want鈥�, a harmonic-laden, catchy number from his 铿乺st E.P. It鈥檚 unassuming and humble music at it鈥檚 best. We听like. With more gigs under his belt and the right venue set-up 鈥楥edric Has A Name鈥� is听destined for good things.

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Radar: Not Squares, Blue Whale, White Collar Boy
Speakeasy, Belfast
Thursday 12th April 2012

Tonight in Radar we have Not Squares making a long awaited return to the Speakeasy, headlining a night full of electronica, thumping beats, throbbing bass and experimental instrumentalism.

are up first. The musical project of Gavin White and Mark Cummins, two lads from Dublin who have supported electronic royalty such as Com Truise and Factory Floor. They have crafted a sound that melts from ambient grooves to heavy thumping synth and room shaking bass that echoes Crystal Castles.The way in which their songs gather momentum and change complexion highlights real technical ability.

Their songs take on a new dimension when Gemma Dunleavy takes to the stage, 鈥楥aps Lock鈥� being a perfect example with sprawling dreamy sections throughout. The only real criticism of their performance is the gap between songs. This interrupts the rhythm and we need a seamless transition to keep its momentum.

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is a a new festival taking place in Derry on 13th and 14th of July. The weekend of live music will take place in multiple venues including Masons, The Castle, Bound for Boston, Gweedor and The Plyayhouse.

The confirmed line up includes:
Little Bear, Furlo, Triggerman, By Any Means, Wylding, Best Boy Grip, Conor Mason, Libido Switch, Our Kyrton Son, Soak, Nocturn, The Woodburning Savages, The Lost, Making Monsters, Cuckoo, Eros Theory, Johanna Feagn, Conor McAteer, Hazard Harry, Jack craig, JohN Deery and the Heads, Thumpin Jellyfish, Seneron, Conor Hutcheon, Balls Deep, Lost Avenue, Cradle Rock, James Quigley, Grace & Mercy, Shine May Sun, Zia Regime and Mars Field.听

Belfast's Before Machines have announced they will go on tour next month stopping by England, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic and France. The bands debut album is expected later this year and they also plan a homecing show in Belfast at the end of the tour.听

Tour Dates:

Derby (eng) - Vines - 29/04
Sheffield (eng) - The Washington - 30/04
Manchester (eng) - TBA - 01/05
Glasgow (sco) - Bar Bloc - 02/05
Edinburgh (sco) - Henrys Cellar - 03/05
London (eng) - The Workshop - 04/05
Brighton (eng) - TBA - 05/05
Antwerpen(bel) - Music City - 06/05
Brussels (bel) - TBA - 07/05
Chemnitz (ger) - Subway To Peter - 10/05
Cheb (czr) - Jazzrock Cafe - 11/05
K眉nzelsau(ger) - Kokolores - 12/05
Caen (fra) - Le Cargo - 13/05

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Cork's have announced the first five acts for this summers event which takes place from the 3rd to 5th of August in Mitchelstown.

Feeder, Jape, The Frank and Walters, The Japanese Popstars and Delorentos have all been confirmed.听Headliners and the full bill will be announced soon.

Therapy?, Not Squares, Ash, And So I Watch You From Afar, Yes Cadets and Elspeth are just some of the acts who've made the trip south over the years.听

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Doagh riff mongers will听celebrate their 10th birthday as a band with a gig at the Limelight, Belfast on Saturday the 5th of May. The Distortion Project promoted gig will also feature and QAALA (Feat. ex members of Stand-Up Guy).

Since 2002, the three piece have released numerous EPs and their debut album, 'Monument' back in 2008.听

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Radar's a reliable enough night at the best of times - fine local acts and it's free in. A great deal for you, the consumer.

This week's Radar looks a little bit special, with the return of the mighty . The jury's still out on whether this lot belong at a gig or in a club but...it's kinda irrelevant. If you're watching them, you're having fun, it's that simple. Yeah they've got the rave - proper bowel altering slabs of it - but they've also got, you know, hooks. Choruses and stuff. The best of both worlds.

Ricki from Not Squares told us:

'We've been v busy playing (Japan was amazing!), writing (tunes and Moog!) and recording (days in a basement!) so it will be cool to try out new material on home turf.'

Japan + Moog + Basement = Not Squares mk 2. Sounds good to us....

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Not Squares, Blue Whale, White Collar Boy play The Speakeasy, Belfast, tomorrow night (Thursday).

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Tom Hingley, Rory McKee, Junior Johnson
The Cellar Bar, Draperstown
Sunday 8th April 2012

From the city lights to The Cellar Bar, Draperstown - famous on the local scene for the G Sessions. First on tonight鈥檚 bill is Randalstown鈥檚 Junior Johnson - one man and his guitar. In his element amongst the craic of a rammed front bar, JJ happily sets us up for a night of acoustic folk and blues. Occasionally it鈥檚 mere background but more than often there鈥檚 plenty of clapping and knee slapping as way of encouragement. We鈥檙e treated to his take on Cashier No 9鈥檚 鈥楪ood Bye Friend鈥� and an equally unexpected and brilliant version of 鈥楨veryday People鈥� by Sly and The Stone. His own 鈥楥older Ground鈥� shows what he鈥檚 really made of, baring modest resemblance to Willie Nelson. A little rough around the edges for sure, but therein lies the charm.

Next up is Rory McKee, adding a looped iPad to the evening鈥檚 acoustic theme. A very clean performance and impressive on some levels - strong layered vocals and impressive guitar work, for a start. While what鈥檚 missing is unclear, we end up more than a little distracted.

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Architects, RoloTomassi, Stray From The Path听听
Speakeasy, Belfast
Saturday 7th April 2012

Brighton-based metalcore heroes, , are on the road supporting the release of their fifth album, Daybreaker. This early evening affair gives Belfast's under-agers a rare chance to get in on the action; from the girl being sick outside to the testosterone-fuelled pit-bravado - it's safe to say the kids are a little too excited.

New York's don't mess around getting the crowd fired up. Complex riffs, visceral screams and thundering breakdowns make for a brutal assault but Stray From The Path have enough melody that it's controlled chaos, but only just. The crowd respond in kind; a sea of bodies slamming into each other, swinging fists with reckless abandon. Vocalist, Drew York has the swarming masses in the palm of his hands; getting them to jump on demand and raise their middle fingers while orchestrating circle pits like a hardcore conductor. The brutality is only halted when a shirt flies out of a fist-wielder's back-pack as he scuttles off to reclaim his school uniform. This evening, Stray From The Path taught a lesson in NYHC.

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As previously reported, returns later this year to Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th of August.

The bill of confirmed acts has now grown to the below list:听

Silhouette
Axis Of
Furlo
The Gorgeous Colours
Inishowen Gospel Choir
Mojo GoGo
Best Boy Grip
Paddy Nash and the Happy Enchiladas
Master and Dog
The Barley Mob
Triggerman
Exit Pursued by Bear
Wookalily
Owl Parliament
Balkan Alien Sound
Lantern For A Gale
The Steve Experiment
The Crimson Piper Sonic Orchestra
Intermission
Wylding
Peter McVeigh
Furlo
Dying Breed

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David C Clements & Master and Dog
Love and Death inc.
Thursday 29th March 2012

Despite the Gifted relaunch taking place just up the road, this petit venue was near bursting at the seams in good time for our support, . Kicking off his acoustic-folk-pop set with an intense, 7 minute track 鈥淗urricane鈥� was a brave move, but tinges of Arcade Fire made for a perfect start. With the help of a full band, David鈥檚 material is sounding pretty huge these days, as his voice carries well over the crowd, many of whom clearly weren't here just for the headliners.

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are on the lead up to the release of their second full-length album 鈥楿nfaithfully Yours鈥� with a Great Britain promotional tour, followed in June by two album launch shows in Belfast; 听on the15th and 听听on the 16th and one at the in Dublin on the 29th.

The album will be the first released on the band鈥檚 newest label Dirty Hit, following the release of EPs 鈥榃aves鈥� and 鈥楧on鈥檛 You Ever鈥�.

Tickets for the Belfast shows are out now from , The Stiff Kitten and Ticketmaster. Dublin tickets are available from .

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April 6th sees the re-launch of 听local podcast site formerly known as

The local podcast dedicated to music lovers of Belfast, has podcast some exclusive live sessions with local artists over the years and has strived to cover the sounds of the city and further afield

The new line-up of podcasters includes Matt Hazley, Paul McCarthy and Si McNair with the new focus being a more diverse range of broadcasts and expanding the site.

To celebrate the re-launch there will be a party at the kicking off at 8pm

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will return to Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th of August.

The initial details fo the line up have been released with听Silhouette,听Inishowen Gospel Choir,听Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchilada's,听Wookalily,听Furlo,听Axis Of and
听The Gorgeous Colours all confirmed so far.

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As you've probably gathered by now, it's any excuse to get outside of听Belfast and hit the road, especially when it comes to our gig of the week.听With that in mind, it's off to what's a surprisingly active little corner听of the country - . Boasting two reliable venues, the听small seaside town is more than ready for it's own mini-festival, in this听case . So it's the INF for ATL show openers on Monday听past on the Saturday, then over to the Duke for on the Sunday.

Gerry from APR told us听

'Warrenpoint is alway mental but Easter Weekend the place always goes听absolutely bananas so we can't wait to return as headliners of this听festival. A really strong line-up too, we can't wait to catch some of the听new bands making waves here in Belfast showcasing their stuff.'

Oh yes, small matter of an entire ATL friendly bill to discuss. Way too听many to namecheck here, but and are among the听highlights on Saturday with and 听are among the picks on the Sunday. But needless to say, check out the full line up听

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As previously report, the returns on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of June in Kilmainham, Dublin with acts such as听听New Order, Leftfield, Death Cab for Cutie, Field Music, Andrew Bird and The Rapture and many more.听

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Now , , and have all been added to the Saturday.

Saturday 2nd
Leftfield
Bloody Beetroots听DJ Set

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Awk, sure it鈥檚 yourself. Brian Coney here, individual of no particular repute except what can only be described as an almost overwhelming urge to inform others of what I know to be absolutely true.

Okay, maybe not 鈥� but as Ludwig Beethoven himself probably proclaimed in between bouts of deafness and compositional genius: 鈥淚 know a good tune when I hear one鈥�. Here are three good tunes from upcoming artists inhabiting these parts.

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Twomilliondays is a Roscommon-based musician better known to his parents as Paul Fallon (alternatively: our Paul). His brand new eponymous LP combines minimalist electronica/ambient with some, sublime acoustic instrumentalism and its closing track, 鈥楽ubmerge鈥�, is a particularly transfixing track calling to mind a kind of weightlessness akin to Main, Seefeel and Brian Eno's early ambient works. Hypnotic and endurably experimental from start to finish, Fallon鈥檚 debut album signals even greater things to come.

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Titanic Lockdown
T13, Belfast
31st March 2012

The ubiquity of the has thrown up some odd scenarios, from Titanic Belfast's spokeswoman telling Stephen Nolan how the visitor centre represents "the future" (er鈥�) to the irony of local transport provider Translink having their name emblazoned on posters advertising the doomed passenger ship. On paper, Titanic Lockdown is another strange one, but it's a more than welcome addition to the maritime mania.

Set up in across the road from Titanic Belfast and the old headquarters, the enormous hangar-turned-skate-park has been further transformed into a jamboree of good cheer, all in the name of one of the greatest nautical disasters in history. But let's not be too snide about this 鈥� the organisers have seen an opportunity to showcase all that is good and positive about the youthful Belfast that we are supposedly trying so hard to present to the world, and this launch event does it superbly. Sharing the vast building with skaters and BMXers are food and drink stalls, face painting, video games, street artists, homemade clothing, jewellery and souvenirs for sale 鈥� and a stage where some of our best live acts can soundtrack a fun day out. It feels like a village fete, but in a big concrete hangar. It's lots of fun, very gritty, and very Belfast.

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Korn, Downlink, J Devil
Mandela Hall, Belfast
31st March 2012

The Mandela Hall is a relatively intimate setting for nu-metal pioneers and it's no surprise that tonight's show sold out weeks ago. The mixture of young, old, metalheads and glow-stick wielders is a little more surprising but Korn are in transition; their latest release, The Path of Totality, is an experimental hybrid featuring the traditional Korn-sound spliced with the unmistakable woob-woob-woob's of the Dubstep monster. The record features production by Dubstep king, Skrillex, as well as Downlink, who just so happens to be one of tonight's support acts.

But first we're treated to the sounds of听听- Jonathan Davis' dubstep DJ alter-ego. The stage is in darkness as J Devil slinks on to a curious sound-bite telling us that Barack Obama means lightning in Hebrew, and therefore is in fact the devil. It's debatable logic but the crowd lap it up nonetheless; antiestablishmentarianism is very metal..

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Gabrielle Aplin, Southern
An Droichead, Belfast
31st March 2012听

Playing in the somewhat unorthodox arena of An Droichead, we are here to see Gabrielle play an intimate session to a sold out crowd.

First up though we have , with his band mate sister busy with her studies Thom plays an assured solo set that highlights not only his songwriting ability but also his confidence playing in front of an eager audience armed with only his guitar. Thom鈥檚 voice is unbelievably like Luke Pritchard of The Kooks, eerily similar at times. Songs are filled with snappy lyrics, bluesy folk tinged hooks and melodies that leaves the audience wanting more. Southern will be embarking on tour in May and on the basis of this performance, more and more success and notoriety beckons.

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Girls Names, Documenta, Third Man Theme
Radar:听Mandela Hall
Thursday, 29th March 2012

With the somewhat soul-destroying prospect of and someone from judging downstairs, three of the country's more sonically progressive bands form what is easily the finest Radar line-up in some time. But, out of everything, what makes tonight such a thoroughly unmissable proposition is the fact it鈥檚 not only Belfast gloom pop band Girls Names' first gig of the year, it鈥檚 their first show as a four-piece. And yet the question remains: how well will such unfamiliar territory pan out for Cathal Cully鈥檚 band live?

Late addition to the bill, Kraut-pop three-piece听get proceedings under way in characteristically dogged form via opener, 鈥楾he Road鈥�. From this track, right through a further five brilliantly inspired songs of veering synth and attacking guitar noise, frontman Matthew Rodger鈥檚 severe temper on 鈥楬epworth and Hapaska鈥� and highlights including the bobbing chant of 鈥淚 walk up the road and I feel it rising鈥� on 鈥楾ears on Tate鈥� and Brian Farquhar鈥檚 remarkable drumming on closer 鈥楻ound Pound鈥� expose exactly what this trio are about: highly-imaginative, supremely unorthodox pop noise, taking in loose, energetic and well-constructed interplay.

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