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On Friday November 9th as part of , Armstrong Learning will be holding an open day for potential new students at the MAC in Belfast.听

They will be opening their doors to anyone looking to make a career out of music, be it aspiring musicians, music producers, managers or composers in order to showcase a range of available training opportunities.听

There will be an opportunity to see the fully equipped centre at the MAC, have a go at music production and meet some of Armstrong鈥檚 national music industry advisors.

There will also be performances from singer-songwriter and former student , winner of 'Young Songwriter Of The Year' at the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and 'Best Male' at the Access To Music Awards in Birmingham as well as emerging artist .听

Tickets for the open day are on a first come first served basis, anyone interested in applying should contact听mia@armstronglearning.co.uk

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has announced that she will play her first ever Irish show next summer.

You'll be able to catch the 'Born To Die' and 'Video Games' singer songwriter as part of her 5 date UK and Ireland tour at Vicar Street in Dublin on Sunday the 26th of May.

Her 3rd EP 'Paradise' is due to be released in the UK on November 12th. It follows her sucessful double platinum debut album 'Born to Die' which was released back in January.

Tickets for her Dublin gig go on sale at 10am on Monday 5th November.

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Last night, with so many great Northern Irish bands going out on tour, Rigsy struggled to keep up. He mistakenly claimed were hitting the road with (both are touring Nov & Dec, but the former are out with ) and had to say 'hitting the road next month' so many times it started to blend into one word - 'hittinronemon'. Such is the way these days - the bands here are just too good to keep and, luckily for the rest of the UK, they're bold enough to get in a van and spread the good word.

Our gig of the week then, not so much a gig as (you've guessed it) a tour. A band who will do 16 shows in 16 days next month, starting with Radar at Queens on Thursday night. Over to Jude from the reliably riff-tastic ....

'This Thursday's show at Radar means a lot to us. We're really buzzed about it because it's the first gig on our biggest tour to date, fifteen consecutive dates and our first time crossing the Irish Sea. This is something we've always aimed for as a band and we want to kick it off with a bang."

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Beach House, Holy Other
Mandela Hall, Belfast
Friday, 26th October 2012

Two years on from playing to a loved-up few on Valentine鈥檚 day in the decidedly more intimate Speakeasy upstairs, Baltimore dream-pop duo return to QUBSU tonight one of the most dotingly approved darlings of the indie pop press. With two significantly more 鈥渟afe鈥� (yet no less intoxicating) albums and an ever-growing wave of aficionados on their side, how convincingly their surreptitious sound translates in the 900-strong capacity Mandela Hall remains to be seen.

With anonymous electronic producer having skilfully wielded his dubstep-inflected ambience via a set that鈥檚 oddly a little lost on tonight鈥檚 audience, Beach House saunter out into darkness and the retro sounds of 鈥楥rockett鈥檚 Theme鈥� by Jam Hammer tonight to measured applause. Starting straight into recent single 鈥榃ild鈥� without introduction, a white light positioned behind frontwoman Victoria Legrande immediately instils a sense of refined enigma; guitarist Alex Scally letting loose before an epileptic-obliterating barrage of lights precedes the seductive, harpsichord-driven 鈥榃alk In The Park'.

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Everything Everything听and Yo La Tengo have both announced dates for Dublin early next year.

will play Whelans in Dublin on the 18th of February as part of a tour in support of their new album, Arc, which is due out in January. The Manchester band released the album's first single, '' on the 14th of October.

have been announced to play Vicar St, Dublin on March 23rd. The band released an new EP, Stupid Things, in September ahead of a full lenght release due early next year.听

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will play The Stiff Kitten, Belfast on Friday the 30th of November. The Montreal based duo start their European tour this Thursday in Iceland. They released their debut album, Shrines, during the summer.

Fellow Montrealer, Doldrums听will support on the night.

Tickets on sale tomorrow.

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US rockers have been announced as the headline act for next year's Slane Castle concert on the 15th of June 2013. The gig will be part of their 'Because We Can' world tour which kicks of in February next year.听

The band will also release their twelfth studio album, What About Now, nest March. Tickets for the concert go on sale next Thursday the 8th of November. Support for the County Meath gig has yet to be announced.

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It's time to ramp it up to 11 again on ATL with another nice and noisy new band smell with Carrie Davenport. Seeing as it's nearly halloween, it's the perfect time to don the necro face paint, carve some pumpkins and make it metal!

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- Guttersnipe
Wearing their love of Pantera proudly on their sleeves, Stand With Heretics will definitely appeal to fans of the greatly missed Dimebag and his cohorts! They're from Downpatrick rock city - well it is home of NI rock legends the Answer so they're clearly putting something in the water to keep the locals brewing up some good old fashioned rock tunes.

- Key of Solomon
With ex-members from Belfast bands These Are The Clouds and Kiriath, these guys fuse a melodic mix of black metal, prog and post rock into epically proportioned tunes. They're heavily instrumental but looking for vocalists to work with in future which could be a great addition to their sound. If you search their name online you'll find a scottish folk band, so to make sure you find the right Espial, go to .

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Belfast Festival: Caroline Pugh, Paul Stapleton, Barry Cullen
Black Box
Thursday, 25 October 2012

Every once in a while you happen upon a gig or event that鈥檚 so fundamentally unlike anything you鈥檝e experienced before that you can鈥檛 help but reconsider your own thoughts on what defines music, performance and entertainment 鈥� and the laws we prescribe to them. A decidedly clandestine gem of this year鈥檚 Belfast Festival, Belfast-based experimental musician invites us to do just that in a show that promises to be as challenging as it is ultimately rewarding.

Walking into the Black Box, several round-tables are laid out with candles burning in the middle of each. A screen to the right of the stage projects a blurred, night vision image of the audience, a clothes-line at the back exhibits pin-hole camera photos of tonight鈥檚 audience and Caroline has just begun one of her 鈥渟tructured improvisations鈥�: taking border ballad 鈥楲ord Randall鈥�, skilfully warping it beyond recognition by way of looping via a tape recorder and deconstructing its form. Her voice is beatific and her approach brilliantly peculiar.

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As previously announced, (aka Chris McConaghy)听will release his self titled debut album via Small Town America records next month.听

You can listen to the full album right now on the labels听.

The album will be launched at Sandinos, Derry on the 16th of November with the support of听Little Bear, Conor Mason, Amo and Adam Leonard (Solo Set). There will also be a full band tour in support of the release(see below for details).

听Tour Dates:

The first single called "I'll Never Learn To Say Goodbye" which is out on the 9th November.

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The 25th Foyle Film Festival is set to take place from 21st - 25th of November across Derry City.

On Friday the 23rd of November, the Nerve Centre will host both The Undertones听live and screen the听'Good Vibrations' film which is about the bands first label boss Terri Hooley.

The film tracks the 'Godfather of Ulster Punk' as he begins the Good Vibrations record store and label in Belfast during the Troubles, which went on to help bands such as听The Undertones, Rudi and The Outcasts.

Directed by Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn the film has been in production since 2011 and was co-produced by Belfast鈥檚 Canderblinks Film & Music, London-based Revolution Films and Dublin鈥檚 Treasure Entertainment.

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Derry~Londonderry will mark 2013 as the first听ever UK City of Culture. The programme for the City of Culture was launched earlier at the Guildhall Square.

You can now download a copy of the programme over at the official听.听

Various music events have been announced as part of the celebrations including:

For a full list of all the events visit:听.

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As part of the announcements today, have confirmed it will take place over two days this summer on the 19th and 20th of July.

The 'Smal But Massive' festival will have a Derry only showcase on the Friday, followed by a day of acts from across the country on the Saturday.

The festival will once again take place in the Sperrin Mountains just outside Draperstown and tickets go on sale next week.

For bands wishing to play, the submission period will open later this month.

Visit 听and .

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They play a Hallowe'en special (at Auntie Annies on Wed 31st) but, it you're , every day is a bit Hallowe'en. Constantly costumed, always unpredictable and reliably odd, this particular five piece don't need a calendar to tell them it's time to act the maverick. Regardless, the Auntie Annies show (with Roysta, The Unprotected, Filthy Angels and Little Miss Skates also on the bill) should be quite the celebration and gives us a wonderful excuse to find out just what makes this most curious of rock bands tick. Mag/Mus-ician and chief axesman Alex Kazam fills us in....



The first record I bought was always going to be a tough decision. There I was, a mere 8 years old dandering through Golden Discs trying to find the best way to spend my hard earned pocket money. Back in those days we had to leave our homes and go to a music shop to buy CDs. I had to pick something good as I knew that in years to come I would be asked about this very moment and my purchase would say a lot about my character, artistic credibility and good taste.

Luckily I stumbled upon an absolute classic with lyrics that bordered on the philosophical. A record that asked fundamental questions about humanity such as, 'Are there any limits?' to which the answer was a resounding 'No!' I walked out of that shop with 2 Unlimited's 'No Limits' album, confident I had made a wise decision.


Trying to work out the last record I bought was a difficult process because who actually buys anything anymore? I pretty much stream everything these days on Spotify so if I stream a full album does that count? If so it was Redline by , a modern day electro artist with retro sounds that make me want to dress like Crockett and/or Tubbs. Streaming really is class, not only do I legally stream all my music, TV and films. I also stream my electricity, gas and water too! Once the boffins work out how to stream clothes and food into my house the supermarkets are in trouble.

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Banbridge based self proclaimed Hard Fun Power three piece听 have announced a 5 date Irish tour.听

Known for their energetic live shows you can catch a glimpse of Abandcalledboy at one of the following dates around both the north and the south:

Radar at the Speakeasy in Belfast, Nov 1st (with and )
Whelans in Dublin, Nov 6th
O'Connells in Dundalk, Nov 9th
Sweenys in Dublin, Nov 15th
The Vault in Cavan, Nov 24th

More dates are to be announced soon.

Abandcalledboy are also set to release a new EP 'Dead Academics' in the near future. It will be the band's debut EP following their two previous releases, 'Trigger Happy' back in December 2011 and the double single 'Teenage Parasites' 鈥�/鈥� 'Take It In Parts' back in June 2011.听

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Belfast based riff lovers have announced a 15 date UK and Europe tour alongside Irish rockers and the Leeds based .

The November - December tour will see them playing 2 dates in Holland before playing at a host of different venues across the UK.听

Although no Irish dates have been announced you can still get your LaFaro fix at The Limelight as part of the Belfast Music Week showcase on November 8th, at O'Connells in Dundalk on the 9th and at Cellar Bar in Draperstown on the 10th.

have also announced they'll be embarking on an 8 day November UK tour supporting Los Angeles hardcore punk outfit . The news comes just after the Portstewart based 3 piece returned听from a 2 week UK tour and recently signed to Small Town America Records for the release of their upcoming debut album 'Finding St Kilda'.听

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Gig of the week was a no brainer, really. , the ultimate party band? On the North Coast, home of the ultimate party? Double awesome! Here's Chuck from the band with your invite...

"Can't wait to get back up to the North Coast this Friday for some spooky skankin at the Playhouse, hopin' to see some people dressed up for this Halloween special. It's gonna be class!"

Short and sweet. But then again, it didn't exactly need the hard sell....

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Pocket Billiards play the Portrush Playhouse on Friday Night, October 26. Support comes from Wyldling.听

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Savour Your Scene Records & The Warzone Collective have combined forces to create the first ever Savour Your Scene Festival on Saturday the 24th of November at the Warzone Centre in Belfast.

The lineup features a variety of bands from both the north and the south including the likes of:

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The Savour Your Scene label was created by Stephen Currie of Gacys Thread in 2011 to showcase the best in Irish Metal and Hardcore.

They've helped some of the bands playing the event to distribute their music including Gacys Thread 3rd EP 'The Ignorance Of Purity' and Ilenkus latest album 'Rule By Thieves'

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has announced an extensive Irish tour with dates in both the North and South throughout December. You can catch his solo set at one of the following 13 dates:

Boggers, Ardee (December 1)
Kenny鈥檚, Lahinch (6);
Siamsa Tire, Tralee (7);
An Grianan, Letterkenny (8);
An Creagan, Armagh (9);
Pepper Canister Church, Dublin (10);
The Yard, Wexford (11);
Glor, Ennis (12);
Spirit Store, Dundalk (13);
Atlantic, Portrush (14);
Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry (15);
Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick (16)
Opera House, Cork (17).

Duke is also 1 week into his 6 week residency at Love & Death Inc in Belfast where you can catch him playing a gig every Tuesday lunchtime at 12:30.听

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Club Trenchfoot: Thread Pulls and Blue Whale
Bunatee Bar, Belfast
20th October 2012.

Though most Belfast鈥檚 gig-goers are currently squeezing into Voodoo for Ed Zealous, here in the Bunatee there鈥檚 a more leftfield bill on offer in the guise of local boys Blue Whale and Dublin鈥檚 Thread Pulls. It鈥檚 a tale of two cities, and true to form it鈥檚 the best of times and the worst of times.

With handsome posters and the gimmick of a 拢4.99 entry fee, promoter Trenchfoot has put together a decent event so it鈥檚 disappointing their efforts are rewarded with a small crowd. Openers hold off in the hope that a few more punters will trickle in but it鈥檚 not to be.

While many of their instrumental contemporaries rely on layers of distortion and delay to build atmosphere, Blue Whale have the confidence to experiment with time signatures and tempo, delivering brash, intricate riffs through clean amps. Their crowd interaction is sharp and perfectly pitched.

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A little bit tired of the tunes that have been circling your headphones recently? Fret not; we鈥檝e some fresh sounds for you here on That New Band Smell. I鈥檓 and I can promise you there鈥檚 something in the line-up below for everyone. In fact, even your ma鈥� might appreciate one of the these brand new gems!



WIFE - Bodies
is the brainchild of James Kelly, the man behind听Cork ambient black metal band听. Anyone who鈥檚 a fan of metal at least, might be familiar with Altar of Plagues having recenlty got album of the month in 鈥楾errorizer鈥� magazine, toured with Mayhem and ex Isis front man Aaron Turner known to be a fan. Much like the Altar of Plagues material, WIFE is quite captivating. 鈥楤odies鈥� is taken from the 鈥楽toic鈥� EP and that will be released next month via Left Blank and you can get a sneek preview .听

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Scottish rockers have confirmed they will play The Odyssey Arena, Belfast on the 29th of March next year as part of a UK & Ireland arena tour.听They'll also stop at The O2, Dublin the night before.听The band release their new album called Opposites on January 28th 2013.

will perform at the听Odyssey Arena, Belfast on the 10th of May next year.听The legendary guitarist will also play the O2 Arena, Dublin on Thursday the 9th of 听May 2013 as part of a tour celebrating his 50th year as a professional musician.

Meanwhile will play the Waterfront Hall, Belfast听on听Thursday the 28th March 2013. The gig is part of a 28 date "Greatest Hits Live" tour to coincide with a release next March.

Belfast Music Week Launch,
Gibson Guitar Rooms, London
Wednesday October 17th, 2012

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only has three songs to make her mark but within a minute the audience are captivated. It鈥檚 a much more stripped down performance than her Great Northern Songbook performance but just as intense - her foot stomps during 'Whiter Than I' echo around the room, while dreamy finale '主播大秀' is supplemented by the sound of crashing waves.听

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Irish rock legends Thin Lizzy will say 'farewell' to touring with an intimate gig in the Limelight, Belfast on December 12th.

The veteran rock group, whose hits include 'Whiskey in the Jar', 'The Boys Are Back in Town' and Jailbreak' recently headlined Belsonic festrival alongside Downpatrick outfit the Answer.

The band, now fronted by NI's Ricky Warwick, have toured extensively in the past few years and are about to release fresh new material. The brand new music will however not be released under the Thin LIzzy name, out of respect for original singer and bassist Phil Lynott.

Thin Lizzy were formed in 1970 by Dubliner Lynott and Belfast guitarist Eric Bell. Gary Moore famously played in the band over the course of several albums before they split in 1984. In the mid-1970's Lizzy were one of the world's most celebrated stadium rock bands.

"Our plan always was to put out new music to keep the name Thin Lizzy alive and fresh with all the band鈥檚 fans 鈥� old and new. Nobody respects Phil as much as I do and singing his songs for the past two years has been an incredible honour and something I will never forget" current frontman Ricky Warwick said.

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For this week's TMO we go under the bonnet of one of the most interesting and progressive indie bands in Belfast. It's kind of hard to sum up the type of music they make - you're best just listening for yourself - starting with new single release 'Seconds in a Minute'. Spangly!

Over to Alan, vocalist and guitarist.....

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The first record I bought with my own money was Urban Hymns by the Verve. It's still a great record, but to my pre-teen ears it sounded completely outlandish and otherworldly, like nothing I had heard before.

The most recent record I bought was The Haunted Man by Bat For Lashes. It's like Florence and the Machine for people who like music, not tone-deaf bellowing.

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have announced they will have their first show outside of Belfast next month. The gig night has been running at the Empire Music Hall, Belfast for many years but organisers started streaming the gigs live online last May.

On November the 22nd the event will take place at听Monroe's in Galway with Ryan Sheridan,听This Club,听Cathy Davey,听Roisin O,听More Than Conquerors and听Shannon & The Shortcuts. There will also be pre-recorded performances by听Hermitage Green,听Keywest and听The Amazing Apples.

Closer to home, GiftedLive听also have events at the Empire, belfast during Belfast Music Week next month. Visit for more information.

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*Air Horn* YO! YO! YO! YO! *Air Horn*. Phil Taggart back hot boxing the ATL blog with an overwhelming stank of new music. It stings the nostrils. As per usual I have three little prodigious cherubs for your consideration. Read. Listen. Enjoy. *Air Horn*

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鈥� Elidor听
Haunting drum and bass from Belfast. There鈥檚 a nod to to Netsky a wink to High Contrast, eastern tinged melodies and could easily be the theme music to a computer game, bad level from the early 90鈥檚. In Affray鈥檚 own words 鈥榯urn up the love鈥�

听鈥� This is the Place听
Some members from Dublin, some from Sydney. Live in Berlin, play gigs in Ireland? Who cares? Exactly. It鈥檚 all about the tunes. These guys have ice cool tunes, the sort that lands a kickflip on their skateboard and doesn鈥檛 look for approval. Check out their track 鈥楾his is the Place鈥� for full confirmation of my spewed out hyperbole.

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, (InMe),,
The Empire, Belfast
Thursday 11th October 2012

With an evening of serene, stripped-back songs ahead of us, it seems altogether apt that the upcoming and established talent on the four-act bill 鈥� with a little outside influence thrown in for good measure 鈥� takes place at Belfast鈥檚 exquisite Empire Music Hall. With its baroque, wonderfully antiquated setting and decidedly intimate feel, the acoustic efforts of tonight鈥檚 superlative line-up should manifest themselves in a subtler, more blas茅 manner than we are familiar.

Prone to brasher, fuzzier set-ups, Belfast-based three-piece Chocolate Love Factory prop themselves and steadily reveal the subtleties and sheer range of ideas inherent in their music across several songs tonight. With small pockets of melody usually concealed with fuzz and ferocity coming to the fore throughout, superbly honed harmonies on 鈥楪reen鈥� and new track 鈥楤urn鈥� impress. Even better, drummer John Quinn doubles up as pianist/synthist on a few tracks, most notably on an untitled new track that hints ever further at the band鈥檚 purposeful progression towards a more refined brand of rock.

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It鈥檚 with increasing perplexity that gig goers approach Thursday nights in Belfast.听Spoilt for choice with the burgeoning amount of shows on offer, making your mind up over who to see is no mean feat. If you plumped for Third Man Theme headlining you won鈥檛 have been disappointed 鈥� but you could have been in the minority. A thin crowd is in attendance tonight, perhaps stretched a little too far by conflicting shows.

First on stage are , the brain-child of singer and songwriter Chris Mc Conaghy. Backed by a band boasting the finest array of facial hair this side of town, the music is veined with pop and country influences. Chris has cut a well-defined sound, shifting focus throughout every instrument in his songs. Things are shaken up a bit with guitar solos and syncopated beats, but attempts at more epic sounds fall a little flat. This isn鈥檛 helped by the fact that the audience is thin on the ground.

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Belfast Music Week will soon be upon us and the full line-up brochure can now be viewed at your leisure over at the Belfast Music Website.

There will be a total of over 250 events taking place across 70 venues in the city between November 4-11th.

Highlights from the week include a free showcase night at the Limelight featuring 12 local acts, the premiere of the Two Door Cinema Club documentary, lunchtime in store gigs at HMV and a headline gig from Orbital 20 years since their last Belfast gig.

Stuart Bailie, CEO of the Oh Yeah, and Belfast Music Week co-ordinator, speaking at the launch on the roof garden of the Oh Yeah Centre said:

鈥淟ast year there were 170 events over 45 venues in the Belfast Music Week programme and we鈥檙e astonished to see how the venues, bands and promoters have pulled together something even more expansive in 2012. Music continues to define us, to lift us and to energise us."

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We've got a couple of gigs听announcements for you this morning from Halloween specials to Harlem rappers, what more could you ask for?

听will be bringing their Ska drenched madness to the Portrush Playhouse Club on Friday 26th October.

That same night听听will be headlining a Halloween special gig featuring support from听,,听听and听听at Auntie Annies.听

听will play his first headline gig in Belfast, October 28th in McHughs Bar Belfast.

Immoral Technique's UK tour will reach听the Mandela Hall Belfast on November 2nd with support from Swave Sevah, Poison Pen, DJ Static and DJ Snuff.

听will play the Button Factory in Dublin on January 20th next year.

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For our gig of the week, it's props to a band who delivered one of the finest sessions we've broadcast all year. Celebrating their vibey third album 'Freak Waves', we're in fine form, knocking out a trio of ever-so-slightly warped guitar-pop gems.

Over to Neil form the band for your official invite, then:

"We're playing our first show since February at the Pavilion on Friday with a new four piece line up who also double up as a three piece support band, . We're really looking forward to playing songs from the new album and some golden greats too. Hope to see you there, only 5 noops in, 9pm sharp!"

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Sea Pinks & Charles Hurts play The Pavillion, Belfast on Friday night.

Listen to Sea Pinks track 'Flase Spring' from their new album Freak Waves via the player below:

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have announced two Irish dates for early next year.

The Las Vegas outfit will play the Odyssey Arena, Belfast on February 21st with a show in the O2 Arena, Dublin the following evening.

The band were one of the headline acts at the Electric Picnic festival this summer, after releasing their fourth studio album 'Battle Born' this year.

As yet no support acts have been announced for the Irish performances.

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It's not been that long since called it a day in 2010, it just feels like ages cause we've missed them so much.The good news is these whiskey drinkin', good time giving Derry loons are back for a couple of reunion shows and all for a very good cause. They'll play Sandinos, Derry on Thursday Oct 18th with a second, final show at The Cellar Bar, Draperstown on Sat 20th.

To celebrate, we spoke to key member Phillip 'Wally' Wallace (also known as percussionist in Cashier #9) to find out just what makes this collection of hallions tick....Over to you, Wally....


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My first record?? Hmmm Status Quo, 12 Gold Bars, ye canny beat a bit of "Down Down" deeper and down after a few bass shandies!

As for last record - Django Django, definitely one of the best this year, caught 'em in the Limelight, they were class, great to see Vinny doing well too!

I went to a load of concerts when I was a long haired teenager, seen some amazing bands. Pantera (supporting Megadeth) at the Ulster Hall, that's when I knew I wanted to play drums professionally! It was an immense show, so much raw energy, still haven't regained my hearing fully after climbing up the front of house, stage left, never made the stage though. But it was John Bonham inspired me to pick up the sticks, he is the master, the end.

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As part of Belfast Music Week will be headlining an all day event at the Ulster Hall on November 10th called '25: Electronic Music in Belfast'.

This celebration of the past 25 years of dance music in Belfast will include workshops and interviews during the day and performances in the evening across two rooms from local acts including the likes of , , , , & .

Orbital released their eight studio album 'Wonky' back in April, their first new material in eight years.听Tickets go on sale this Monday 15th October at 9am.

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As previously announced, will return from the 4th to the 12th of November.听A number of events have now been added to the list of events. Visit 听for full listings.

Hip Hop Showcase - Love and Death, Belfast
Sunday 4th November
Love Music Hate Racism NI present a showcase event featuring: Bee Mick See, Cull, Gerard i2, DJ Koncept, DJ Monphat, Nathan Flutebox Lee and The Clinic.

In-Spired: Musice, Voices and Choirs - Spires Centre, Belfast
Tuesday 6th November
Katie and The Carnival, Farriers, Silhouette, Master and Dog, Sons of Caliber, Rainy Boy Sleep, Gareth Dunlop, Anthony Toner, Laura Lamph (National Chamber Choir of Ireland), 听Inishowen Gospel Choir, Open Arts, Voices Together, and Belfast Metropolitan College Choir.

Robyn G Shiels - The Palm House, Belfast
Wednesday 7th November

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Belfast Music Week Showcase - The Limelight, Belfast
Thursday 8th November (Free Addmission)
David C Clements, LaFaro, Katharine Philippa, Rams Pocket Radio, A Plastic Rose, Wonder Villains, VerseChorusVerse, More Than Conquerors, Ryan Vail, Runaway GO, Pretty Child Backfire, Tom McShane.

To gain free tickets you must register via the 听or email info@limelightbelfast.com.
A maximum of 2 tickets per person.

Gifted Live - The Empire, Belfast
Thursday 8th November
Mick Flannery, Heathers, Desert Hearts, Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club, The Virginmarys, Daithi. Moulettes. Plus special recorded performances by Our Krypton Son, The Mighty Stef, and Empty Lungs. Watch live on the day at .

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have released their new album I Am Not The Crow a bit early. Due for release on the 12th of October, the Limerick natives made it available digitally on page early where you can also stream the eight tracks for free.听

The album was recorded between Efrim Menuck in Hotel2Tango, Montreal and Tommy McLaughlin in Attica Audio, Donegal. It's the bands third album and it is released via听.

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Our Krypton Son,听aka Chris McConaghy, 听will release his self titled debut album via Small Town America records on the 16th of November.听

The album will be preceeded by the first single called "I'll Never Learn To Say Goodbye" which is out on the 9th November.听Our Krypton Son will play Transmit with Third Man Theme and Best Boy Grip at Limelight 2 in Belfast tonight.

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We've a habit of recommending Volume Control shows, for which we make no apology. For years there were (valid) complaints about the lack of a regular all ages showcase in Belfast, which is why these guys are so welcome. Moving temporarily from their home at Oh Yeah, the guys will set up shop at the new for a quadruple bill of ATL-friendly goodness on Saturday night.

Pete, from has the skinny:

"This is our first show in Belfast for quite a while,听and also our first all ages gig in some time so we're really looking forward to bringing a new set of music to an audience that won't have heard much of it before. The Mac is a really impressive new arts centre听and a really important addition to to the city so we're very excited to be performing there for the first time. Also we can't wait to check out & ,听and we're big fans of the Japanese Popstars so looking forward to seeing what former member Decky Hedrock has up his sleeve with his new project . Should be a great night!"


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Ed Zealous, Ryan Vail, Sirkus Sirkus and A Northern Light play The MAC on Saturday evening. The show runs from 7.30pm-10.30pm.听For more听information visit听the.

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This week see's a host of local releases including:

Yes Cadets released their new EP 'Le Mans' yesterday on Hummingbird Records. The band have also filmed a video for their new single, 听which was produced and directed by Dan Haslam.

Last night Runaway Go launched their new single ,听alongside a new video from听Big Bad Llama听and a new website听at . The single was produced by Jonathan Shakhovskoy who has worked with U2, Amy Winehouse, Sugababes and many more in the past.

released a double A-side single yesterday. The two tracks, 'Sixes' and 'Three Suns'听 were recorded听with Frankie McClay at Einstein Studios last month.听听

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Dublin's have just released their single '' along with a video directed by Stevie Russell.听It's the听first single from听the bands听forthcoming album called, The Sleep of Reason which is out on the 20th of October.

Fellow Dubliner, Owensie will launch his sophomore album Citizens at the Unitarian Church, Dublin听on Friday the 26th of October. To give people an idea of what to expect, Owensie put up a track from the album called 听as a听free download last week.

While recenlty gave a sneak peek of their debut album with the track 'When The Well Runs Dry'.

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The Bonnevilles, The Sabrejets, The Sons Of Robert Mitchum, The Penny Dreadfuls
Black Box, Belfast
Saturday, 6th October 2012

With the night before having played host to the likes of St Vitus Dance and Stop Stop Start Again, the second and final night of this year's The Good, The Mad and The Bad mini-festival brings together some of the very best of our country鈥檚 rockabilly and blues-rock acts, all in the relatively intimate setting of Belfast鈥檚 Black Box. If ever there was a line-up to rip out the Brylcreem and gingham shirts, this is it.

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It's time for another That New Band Smell with me, Carrie Davenport - not that I can actually smell anything as I'm loaded with the cold and my nose is so red it would put rudolph's to shame! But fear not a little sniffle will not stop me delving deep into a pile of new bands to find some absolute diamonds for you to enjoy. My nose may not be working and my voice may sound a bit like I sing in a Deicide tribute band, but my ears have not failed you and this week's threesome will have you fighting the urge to dance like a fool! We say give in to that urge and start a mini-mosh at your desk right now!

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Remaining rather elusive online, Lietrim based punk outfit听Excuses deliver punchy angry tracks which will appeal to fans of Black Flag and good old fashioned punk rock that makes you want to drink beer and smash things. They'll start their aural assault on the north with a support slot on Oct 13th with local hardcore heavyweights Death Of A Salesman.

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The Bonnevilles have confirmed their听new album, "Folk Art & The Death Of Electric Jesus" will be officially听launched at听The Limelight 2 in听Belfast on Thursday the 15th of November.

Support has yet to be confirmed.听

The twelve track release is the Lurgan duo's sophomore album and will be out on听Twenty Stone Blatt Records on November the听5th.

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Now in it's 32nd year, the Cork Jazz Festival returns tot he听city听from the 26th to 29th of October.

Acts now confirmed for the weekend include De La Soul, Beach House, Taraf De Haidouks, Cathy Davey, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and many more.

For the full line up and more information visit .

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have released a stream of their new single 'The New Life' over on . The听Belfast based 3 piece听will be releasing the single as a 12" with a remix by JD Twitch, one half of Glasgow based duo Optimo through Tough Love Records on November 12th.听

Grils Names are currently working on the follow up to their debut LP 'Dead To Me' released back in April 2011.听

Listen to the stream of 'The New Life' by .

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Walking in to The Empire tonight you could hear a pin drop, has just begun her set and people seem to be enraptured in her performance, you'd think it was the final act of the night. Hannah sets the bar high for the rest of the evening with a 'niche' cover of Al Green's 'Tired Of Being Alone' and bares her soul in her take on the prodigal son parable, '主播大秀coming'. With a voice reminiscent of Regina Spektor, she shows, along with her trusty ukelele, that less really is more.

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The song is called 'Film'. To celebrate it's general greatness we've asked John (vocals/bass) to volunteer some information about 'The Making Of' his wonderful band....

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Hard to know where to start with . Is it a gig? Is it a showcase? Is it a slick TV show? It's actually the best bits of all those things - top notch headliners (usually playing a much smaller venue than they're used to), solid support and quirky onscreen inserts to pass the time between the stuff onstage. Overall - a fantastic way to spend your Thursday evening, whether you make it to The Empire or are simply watching the action online.

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Here Comes The Landed Gentry are to reform later this month for two charity gigs.

On Thurs the 18th of October, they'll headline a two stage line up at Sandinos, Derry before returning to the G Sessions at听The Cellar Bar, Draperstown on Saturday 20th.

The full line ups at both events have yet to be confirmed.

Since the demise of Here Come the Landed Gentry, Gavin, Rion and John听went on to form The Murder Balladeers while Wally joined Cashier No. 9 and听The听Ard Ri Band.

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Heathers, Tokyo Empire
McHughs, Belfast
Friday听28th September

Before Ellie and Louise (aka Heathers)听take to the stage we have Strabane based outfit Tokyo Empire treating us to a confident and impressive performance. Chris Sharkey has a strong presence and has a vocal quality not dissimilar to Brandon Boyd. We are treated to a few lively and upbeat tracks filled with bouncy melodies throughout. For an up and coming band they have a professional, established feel about them. These boys know their music and on this showing there is some real promise.

It is no time at all before Heathers take to the stage and they are warmly received by a busy and enthusiastic audience. It is four years since their debut album 鈥楬ere, Not There鈥� hit shelves and they have just released their sophomore effort 鈥楰ingdom鈥�, with this evenings set听based primarily on the latter.

We kick off with 鈥楥ircular Road鈥� and it only takes a few seconds to realise that the time in the studio has been well spent. Whilst they retain the hooky pop from the first album, the new songs have an edgier feel,听with leanings towards a new electro sound. 鈥楲ions, Tigers, Bears鈥� is the perfect example, a sleek, well polished, song that has pulsating beats working in tandem with a melodious and pacy keyboard. Quite a departure from what we are used to but the applause suggests this is a new direction we can get used to.

鈥楩light鈥� continues the theme of versatility this evening with a song as beautiful as it is simple with Ellie and Louise harmonising effortlessly using only a piano to drive the song. Fans of the first album are then treated to 鈥楻emember When鈥� and 鈥楻eading In The Dark鈥�, both a 听return to the听bittersweet indie with ear-catching hooks and harmony.

Ellie showcases her velvety tones with a beautiful cover of Lana Del Reys 鈥楽ummertime Sadness鈥�. The complimentary nature of the sisters voices is a real delight with 鈥楩orget Me Knots鈥� being a highlight of the night. Ellie purrs along the lower scales whilst Louise reaches the difficult high notes with consummate ease.听

Set closer听鈥楩ind A Way鈥櫶齣s a mix of the old with the new. We have punchy acoustic guitars that make way for pounding drums and throbbing bass lines. The band goes off to a great applause and this evening has shown that all the hard work in the studio crafting a more rounded sound is well worth the effort. These girls are reaching something near their potential and their star only looks certain to rise even further.

David Smith

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Bonjour! Champignons er 鈥� et petit pous? Brian Coney at your local-music-delving service. So鈥� with term-time having well and truly kicked into gear, what could possibly be your excuse to venture out into the night to avail of the frankly mind-blowing range of gigs and concerts happening Belfast and further afield? We are literally spoilt for choice: with Culture Night having come and gone, the return of Radar at QUBSU and Belfast Music Week looming on the horizon, here鈥檚 my pick of three acts to keep an eye and two ears out for over the coming months. Et voil脿...

Having been busy gigging on the local circuit over the last few months, Maghera-based four-piece The Last Generation are arguably one of the most promising young rock 鈥榥鈥� roll acts in the country. With their debut EP, Revelation, released only last month, their ripping brand of high-octane, riff-laden, no frills hard rock is an aural antidote to all that is fiddly and factitious in humble art of music making. 鈥楩rankly鈥�, the second of three tracks from the aforesaid EP, is my pick of the lot.

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Now in its fifth year, will return between the 8th and 11th of November with live music in various venues throughout Portstewart, Portrush, Portballintrae, Castlerock and Coleraine.

Highlights include Gemma Hayes, Sons of Caliber, The Farriers, Katie & the Carnival, The Emerald Armada, Malojian and many more.

As well as ticketed gigs, there's听also a free听music trail. For more information on the event visit听.

The Wonder Villains will release their next single 'TV' on October 29th through Third Bar and No Dancing Records. To mark the release the band have put together a promo video which you can watch now.

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The 听are giving their album Burials away as a free download for the next week. Originally released back in October last year, you can听download the Dublin trios debut to mark the anniversary at .

The Ambience Affair will play with We Cut Corners, A Lazurus Soul听and Groom at听The Button Factory, Dublin听this Friday.