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Month: April 2011

GRIMES

RESCHEDULED DATE Whelanslive.com presents

GRIMES

+ CATSCARS Whelanslive.com are thrilled to present the Irish debut of Montreal’s GRIMES on Wednesday August 3rd upstairs @ Whelan’s.  GRIMES brilliantly imaginative & skewed take on electro-pop has seen her debut album, 2010’s Halfaxa garner euphoric praise from all corners and the praise has been no less effusive for her new Ep ‘Darkbloom’ with GRIMES being hailed by many as a true visionary with an ear for infectious cosmic disco like few before her. 

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KATIE KIM / LAURA SHEERAN – CANCELLED

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED***

Flaming June presents

KATIE KIM

LAURA SHEERAN

Two of the most interesting female artists in the country have come together to form an unholy alliance this month. Waterford’s Katie Kim and Galway’s Laura Sheeran launch their split 7inch vinyl on Flaming June records at Whelan’s on Sunday May 29. Over the past year Katie has been working with The Waterboys, David Kitt and Donal Dineen. Her 2008 debut album Twelve was dubbed “slow burning magic” by The Irish Times. Laura Sheeran has long been championed by music blogger Aoife Barry. State.ie hailed her newly-released debut album Lust of Pig and the Fresh Blood as “the aural equivalent of a Grimm Brothers fairytale”.

TICKETS: CANCELLED

€10 excluding booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

ME AND THE GENERAL & MORE

Rock Out Promotions presents

ME AND THE GENERAL

STONEY BROKES

RADIO ROOM

WAILING ROGUE

We are very happy to announce Me & The Generals first headline act of the summer and it’s goin to be the best you’ll get. These rockers are sizzling all over the music scene at the moment and not to forget serious support from Stoney Brokes, Radio Room and The Wailing Rogue 🙂 This night is going to be a hot one with many interesting people from the music industry coming to watch n take part and when the gig is over there will be plenty of music played by the house DJ to get you down and dirty. It’s €5 in and kicks off at 8pm. Any money made on the night will go to Orphane Ministry Project in Kenya Confirm on Facebook HERE

JAMIE NANCI & THE BLUE BOYS

JAMIE NANCI & THE BLUE BOYS

Sunday Soiree on the Main Stage
Sunday live lounging moves to the main stage with some hot stepping swing, blues, lounge and jazz..but not as you know it…

ASH – SOLD OUT

MCD presents

ASH

+ guests Legendary Downpatrick outfit Ash have just announced a show at Whelan’s on Monday, June 6th Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The media originally pegged Ash’s music as britpop when the band first found mainstream success. Ash’s full-length debut “1977” was released in 1996 and followed 1994’s mini album “Trailer”. Named after the year they were all born (and in honour of the year Star Wars was released), “1977” displayed Wheeler and Hamilton’s full-fledged love for all things extra-terrestrial and science fiction-related. In autumn 1997, guitarist Charlotte Hatherley was added to the existing trio. Hatherley was recruited from the band Nightnurse. The new quartet’s sophomore effort – “Nu-Clear Sounds” was released in 1998. “Free All Angels” followed in April 2001, gaining a U.S. release in the following summer. Meltdown, the band’s first Stateside release for Record Collection, arrived in spring 2005. A year later, and after nine years with Ash, Charlotte Hatherley announced her departure from the band to concentrate on a fledgling solo career. In 2007 the remaining trio (and original line-up) released their final album “Twilight Of The Innocents” preferring now to only release singles in a completely original move. In 2009 The band announced the ‘A-Z Series’: 26 singles in one year, a single for each letter of the alphabet, one release every fortnight. The first taster was free download “Return of the White Rabbit” and the press loved it; a refreshing electro take on the unstoppable Ash formula, it proved the ambitious new release schedule has revitalized the band.

TICKETS: SOLD OUT

€19.50 inclusive of booking fee go on sale this Thursday, 21st of April from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] & Ticketmaster.

LORCAN JAMES AND HIS BAND

LORCAN JAMES AND HIS BAND

+ guests Lorcan James is an emerging artist originally from Co. Meath. A year after he picked up the guitar he performed his own songs in front of 2,000 people in Rome. From that moment the desire to make music his life, began. A fledgling band he formed in Dublin never had the synergy to develop. After this he continued as a solo artist. A period of incubation followed, during which he became immersed in his project studio, learning to record, program and produce music. It lead to opportunities to create music for television. In 2007/2008 he decided to travel – first in the U.S. – but it was Mexico that would steal his heart; the flavors and sounds enriching his palette as a songwriter. He performed around in local venues. After eight months he returned to Ireland to start what would be his debut EP entitled ‘Buried Alive’. A chance meeting with Cypriot bassist Utku Sarper would prove timely. Like-minded Sarper saw the potential in James’ music and came onboard. Along with sound engineer and producer Ger McDonnell (U2, Martha Wainwright, Manic Street Preachers), they would provide additional production that would help define a distinctive sound. Lorcan James feels compelled to deal with subjects that are out of the ordinary from mainstream music. ‘VIP’ for example is an anthem for anyone getting pushed around in their lives. Another song from his EP entitled ‘Swim’ is a seranade inspired by the emotions of becoming a parent for the first time. Drummer Eoin Redmond and lead guitarist Davitt Barry joined in the latter half of 2010. Redmond’s funk-rock style with Barry’s unique guitar playing and amazing vocal range were the missing pieces to the equation. In December 2010 Lorcan James and his band had the priviledge to play and the reknowned 100 Club in London.
‘Lorcan James’ blend of pop-rock and folk is steadily making waves’ Shilpa Ganatra – The Star Newspaper
‘2011 could see Lorcan James break through to the big time.’ Evan Short – The Meath News & Sport
‘U.S. Radio potential’’ Safta Jaffery – CEO of Taste Music (Former manager of Muse)
Confirm on Facebook HERE

TICKETS:

€7 door or €7.50 incl booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

MATT BERRY & MARK MORRISS

www.whelanslive.com presents

MATT BERRY

(The IT Crowd)

&

MARK MORRISS

(The Bluetones) – SOLO – plus very special guest PUGWASH

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MATT BERRY “Witchazel is enchanting, awash with delicate, twinkling melodies, its soaring trumpets…pastel sweeps of guitar and oboe.. and crafty soul-funk inflections genuinely impressive..” The Guardian “..a meaningful and wondrous work..” Dusted Magazine

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THE FLAWS

THE FLAWS

+ guests.

The Flaws release the title track from their second album ‘Constant Adventure’ on June 10th. Constant Adventure was recorded at Tumbleweed Studios in Dundalk, was self produced and mixed and engineered by Jason Varley. The end result showcases how much The Flaws have grown as a band, track after track boasts beautiful harmonies and dazzles with glittering guitars.

Their debut long player ‘Achieving Vagueness’ was released to much critical acclaim in late 2007, entered the Irish Top 20 and lead to both Choice and Meteor nominations. Having toured the debut for over 18 months solid playing some amazing shows across the country including memorable sets at Glastonbury, Electric Picnic ’08 and Oxegen the band took a well deserved break.

Part Of You’, was the first single to be taken from the new album and was chosen as single of the week on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show/Today FM and The Rick O’Shea Show/2FM. It was also used for the Champions League coverage on RTE TV.

The Flaws will play one of their favourite venues, Cyprus Ave, Cork on March the 8th and Paul will perform at a Seachtain na Gaeilge organised a ‘Ceol’ concert on 16th March in Vicar St. Tickets are €20, and all proceeds will go to Barnardos.This is a collaborative concert in which the singers from a number of bands perform 3 of their own songs on the night. 1 as Gaeilge and 2 in English.

The lads will be performing ‘In Libraries’, on RTE TV’s The View on March 1st.

‘a sumptuous slice of classy pop rock’ Jackie Hayden Hot Press

‘Such grace and elegance doesn’t come without the careful nurturing of creative aspirations’ Jackie Hayden Hot Press

Constant Adventure…………….’is a hugely confident step forward……..’ Lauren Murphy Irish Times ***

‘a serious of delightful radio friendly pop songs that ………..sound fresh and beguiling’, Eamon Carr The Herald

‘The Flaws deserve to be heard’, Eamon Carr The Herald

TICKETS:

€10 plus booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078], Tickets.ie & Ticketmaster.

DEAD SCHOOL

DEAD SCHOOL

+ FEDERATION OF LIGHT. RELEASE DOUBLE A-Side, ‘Frailties’ & ‘Standing On the Edge’ What if Ian Curtis had been on speed instead of caning downers? In an alternate reality, Dead School may be writing an album in a similar orbit but different solar system to Unknown Pleasures. Having spent an intense few months holed up, writing songs and honing their sound, it is clear that these guys have managed to create their own full-on sonicscape; dark and unsettling, but by no means sedate. Formed less than a year ago in August 2010, the band have quickly developed a real stage presence – their live show has been playing to packed houses in Cork and the band is now set to take it on the road. When you catch it live, you’ll realise why there is such early record label interest in Dead School. The post-punk terrain has been covered before, but Dead School bring elements of this sound kicking and screaming into 2011. You’ve been warned. The band will be releasing their first double single, ‘Frailties/Standing on the Edge’ which is due for release on April 28, followed by nationwide tour. Dead School are Donal McDonald (vocals/percussion), James McDonald (guitar/drums /vocals), Cathal Maher (guitar/drums /keys) and Ruairi Dale (bass) Confirm on Facebook HERE 02 Frailties by Dead School

REDWOODS

REDWOODS

plus guests. We’re a five piece band from Ireland. We write, record and mix our own music. We have known each other for a long time and have played music together on and off for a few years and have now decided to form a proper band.

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SHANE DAVIS & THE JIGSAW JAM

Debasement present

SHANE DAVIS & THE JIGSAW JAM

plus guests. Shane Davis is a singer songwriter from Carraroe,Co. Galway, but is now based in Dublin.Having played in and out of bands for the last 7 or 8 years Shane has finally gone solo and started writing his own songs.

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HEFT FEST (ALL DAY EVENT)

Hefty Horse presents

HEFT FEST

feat: Goodtime Sacred Animals At Last An Atlas The Holy Roman Army Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock Drunken Boat Norabelle French Suspense Cfit Confirm on Facebook HERE

ENGINE ALLEY

ENGINE ALLEY

+ PONY CLUB & ENDA MULDOON

Put simply, Engine Alley are one of the best Irish bands ever, and God only knows how we’ve persuaded them to reform after all these years for a special headline performance at Whelan’s on July 23rd.  So – for those of you under the age of thirty – here comes the history lesson.  Engine Alley formed in Kilkenny in the late 1980s when the Kenealy brothers (Canice and Brian) teamed up with Eamonn Byrne and moved to Dublin to take over the world.  They then joined forces with Ken Rice and Emmaline Duffy-Fallon, and quickly built up an impressive reputation for their superb live performances.  In 1991, they were signed by U2’s own label, Mother Records, and soon after that, they released their fantastic debut album, A Sonic Holiday, produced by Steve Lillywhite.  This fine album contained such glorious hits as ‘Infamy’, ‘Mrs. Winder’ and ‘Song for Someone’, and it deservedly won the Hot Press award for Best Irish Album in 1992.  The band then toured the UK and the US.  In 1995, Engine Alley released their second album, entitled Shot in the Light.  It had a much darker sound than their glam-pop debut album, and although it didn’t register the same number of hit singles, it was unanimously praised by music critics here and abroad.  Unfortunately Engine Alley broke up a year after that, and the Irish music scene certainly lost one of its most entertaining and talented bands.  You would have to be mad to miss this rare chance to see exactly how good Engine Alley really are when they play live.  You know it makes sense, Rodney.

Vocals and guitar – Canice Kenealy

Guitar – Brian ‘The Lion’ Kenealy

Bass – Eamonn Byrne

Drums – Paul O’Byrne

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Pony Club

Put simply (again), Pony Club are also one of the best Irish bands ever.  (If you don’t believe us, check with Morrissey, because that’s his opinion too.)  We’re genuinely delighted to announce that Pony Club will be supporting Engine Alley in Whelan’s on July 23rd.  What a line-up!  In the last decade Pony Club have released three brilliant albums – Post Romantic, Family Business and Home Truths – and we would strongly encourage you to buy every single one of them – twice.  Pony Club are now working on their fourth studio album, due for release in September, and they will also have a new single out this summer.

Enda Muldoon

We’re very big fans of Enda Muldoon’s stand-up comedy, and we always look forward to his explosive rants – although, in truth, we may have to get extra insurance for our stage equipment now that he’s on the line-up.  Anyway, it’s a small price to pay to see this lovable comic genius / deranged babbling psychopath.  It’s a very thin line with him sometimes.  As a prominent social commentator once remarked about Enda – ‘The race to the bottom is over.  Come and see the winner!’

Show starts at 8.45pm sharp.

TICKETS:

€16 (including booking fee) avialable from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078].

CTRL ALT DELETE

CTRL ALT DELETE

A night of live electronic music, sourced from local producers.

Ireland’s answer to fight club… with synthesizers, Ctrl-Alt-Delete offers local bedroom electronic producers a platform to showcase the material they have been creating.

6 Euro Entry.

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EMERGENZA

EMERGENZA The Worlds Biggest Live Band Festival. Featuring: 21:00 PERPETUUM MOBILE 21:30 KEROUAC 22:00 EMPIRE SAINTS 22:30 THE SUBMERSIBLES Emergenza is the world’s biggest festival for unsigned bands, with an average of 6,000 bands participating every year in 200 different cities all over the world.

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EMERGENZA

EMERGENZA

The Worlds Biggest Live Band Festival. Featuring: tbc Emergenza is the world’s biggest festival for unsigned bands, with an average of 6,000 bands participating every year in 200 different cities all over the world.

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EMERGENZA

EMERGENZA

The Worlds Biggest Live Band Festival. Featuring: tbc Emergenza is the world’s biggest festival for unsigned bands, with an average of 6,000 bands participating every year in 200 different cities all over the world. Every year the national finalists gets to spend three days in Germany at the Taubertal Open Air festival, where the world final takes place, with an average of 30,000 people showing up over the weekend. This is where, every year, the best band wins a professional production for their first album and where plenty of other musicians are rewarder for their skills with prizes from the festival’s sponsors (from Marshall Amplifiers, custom made for Emergenza, to Sonor drumkits, Sabian Cymbals, Senheiser Wireless Microphones).

JULIE FELIX

www.whelanslive.com presents

JULIE FELIX

+ Robin James Hurt

“At 70, Julie is still the possessor of the most radiant smile in Britain” – Tom Paxton After a career in music spanning 47 years and counting, most musicians would be winding down and preparing for retirement but folk-legend Julie Felix is not most musicians and seeing the phenomenal energy exuded by Julie onstage is like being in the eye of some sort of folk hurricane. Julie left her home in California in the early 60’s, hitch-hiking throughout Europe with just a duffle bag and her guitar. After living on a Greek island – where she met and performed with another newcomer by the name of Leonard Cohen – Julie finally arrived in England in 1964 where she was quickly signed to the seminal Decca label and became the singer-in-residence on the hugely popular Frost Report which culminated in Julie getting her own BBC show where she hosted legends such as Leonard Cohen, Dusty Springfield and Richard Harris among many others. Julie is acknowledged as one of the world’s top interpreters of the music of Bob Dylan. It was therefore no surprise when Remarkable Records released the album “Starry Eyed & Laughing”, a double CD of her versions of Dylan’s songs. The album was recorded with a veritable array of superstar musicians, including John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), John Renbourn (Pentangle), Danny Thompson (John Martyn, Pentangle, Nick Drake, Richard Thompson), Dave Swarbrick (Fairport Convention), English folk legend Martin Carthy, Kiki Dee, and P.J Wright (Steve Gibbons Band, The Dylan Project). After nearly 50 years of making phenomenal music nothing has changed for “Britain’s first lady of folk”; Julie Felix is still brimming with energy on stage and off and still performs with pure joy for music and for the world around us. ROBIN JAMES HURT Born in Belfast, raised in Scotland and living in Dublin for many moons now, Robin James Hurt plays guitar like a ‘demon gadgie’, as they say in Edinburgh! He also sings like a wee bird, and composes and arranges fine folky music. In 2006, having spent 13 years as a professional guitarist working with all manner of bands, artists and projects – both famous and not-so-famous – Robin James Hurt decided to find his own voice and start performing solo, quickly drawing considerable interest in Ireland and abroad. Long fascinated by the history of the stories told in song from these islands, Robin collects these ballads and re-works their melodies and structures to make modern diffusions of the originals – “traditional songs for the now“. Robin has a new album in the can, for imminent release, another truly unique collection of the traditional music of Ireland and Britain as well as great original tunes.

TICKETS:

€20 incl booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078], Tickets.ie & Ticketmaster.

JPKALLIO.COM

JPKALLIO.COM

w/ THE WICKED FEW. JPKALLIO.COM is Dublin based indie rock band that mixes classic rock, punk rock and takes influences from wide variety of musical genres.

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DAVID McSAVAGE

DAVID McSAVAGE

(The Savage eye) & Special guests Fusion Family. McSavage’s unique brand and blend of repartee, ribaldry and rhythm has seen him described as among the brightest new stars to emerge onto the comedy circuit in recent years.

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VALENTINE BLACK

VALENTINE BLACK

+ guests.

Valentine Black is the alter ego of Kildare musician Peco Mc Loughlin. Having fronted a number of bands, most recently indie-rockers Bright Light Fiasco who enjoyed success with two top 40 singles, Peco decided to go solo in late 2008.

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FRED

FRED

+ guests. ‘Leaving My Empire’ – Fred R.C.MIrish release date April 15th 2011 February 2011 London, England – Fred finished mixing they’re much anticipated follow up album to 2008s hugely successful ‘Go God Go’ . Ben Hiller (noted for his work with Elbow, Blur, Editors) would be on mixing duty, on the last stretch of getting ‘Leaving my Empire’ out the traps. At the start of November last year the five members of Fred traveled to Montreal to start recording they’re 4th album. The recording duties would be given to Howard Bilerman at his renown ‘Hotel2Tango’ studio, As well as recording and playing on Arcade Fires Breakthrough record ‘Funeral’ Howard has worked his magic with an array of great artists including Wolf Parade, God Speed you Black emperor, British sea power to name but a few. Fred had spent nearly a year laying low writing and producing the tracks, this would be they’re first time ever recording in a studio in the traditional sense.   After the release of ‘Go God Go’ in 2008 with it’s string of Indie-poptastic hits (‘Skyscrapers’, ‘Running’. ‘The Lights’ & ‘Good one’) on playlists across the nation, accolades including itunes Canada ‘Top ten Indie albums of 2008’, Hot-press readers poll ‘Top Ten album Irish albums of 2008′ & Meteor nomination for ‘Hope of 2009’ . The reaction and recognition for Fred was brought to a new level, ‘leaving My Empire’ is testament to their ability write and produce songs that go from intimate to epic and back. ‘Leaving My Empire’ get’s its Irish release on April 15th NME “….There’s no resisting this stuff unless you’re a tone-deaf, stone-hearted, know nothing… , Blissed out, loved-up and goddamn down and out funky, Fred we love you…” i-D Magazine ‘Fantastic alternative pop’ AU Magazine ‘Go God Go as one of the Irish albums of the year to date’ State Magazine ‘Beautiful, life -affirming, joyous pop music, brass ‘n’ all.’ Irish Times “Like Sly & The Family Stone in a swordfight with the Flaming Lips, refereed by Brian Wilson” Hot-press ‘startlingly good music’ The Tribune ‘Fred are a breath of fresh air ‘ Sunday Business post ‘ This is terrific stuff’

WATCH:

TICKETS:

€14.50 (Inc Bkg Fee)  available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] & from www.fredtheband.com

JAN AKKERMAN

Oldflattop presents

JAN AKKERMAN

+ guests. Dutch guitar player Jan Akkerman (1946) did almost anything a musician could possibly do. He worked with many different musicians like BB King, Charlie Byrd, Cozy Powell, Claus Ogerman and Ice-T, besides being a former member of international acclaimed bands such as Brainbox and Focus and made more than a dozen solo records that showed his versatile playing without any boundaries or limitations. Whether it’s ‘Tabernakel’ (1973), the famous guitar-in-bed album ‘Jan Akkerman’ (1977) or his most recent studio outing ‘CU’ (2003), he explores and combines elements of rock, jazz, blues, classical or modern dance music and give those his own signature. On stage, Akkerman has been touring all around the world. Besides several appearances at the Swiss Montreux Jazz Festival, the Dutch North Sea Jazz Festival, his countless tours around theatres and different stages, the guitarist also performed far beyond Western Europe, in countries like Japan, Russia, Brazil and Indonesia. He also has a long-time fan base in many parts of the world. In his own country, Akkerman received a Golden Harp in 2005 for his complete oeuvre and again gained recognition and sympathy for his distinctive role in guitar music by many people. His latest cd/dvd set ‘Live in Concert at The Hague’ shows the many sides of the guitarist: with his band during The Hague Jazz Festival in May 2007, a solo gig at the Output Festival in the Amsterdam Bimhuis and at a workshop ‘for all ages’ in 2006 in Roermond. Seeing Jan Akkerman live in concert is always a refreshing and fascinating never-to-be-repeated experience. Being an authentic improvisator he shows his maximal capability and, during band gigs, shares his affection on guitar with band members Coen Molenaar (keyboards), Wilbrand Meischke (bass) and Marijn van den Berg (drums).

WATCH:

TICKETS:

€25 (inc fees) available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078], Tickets.ie & Ticketmaster *WAV Tickets will be closed on Saturday 4th June for the Bank Holiday weekend.

HEROES IN HIDING

HEROES IN HIDING

+ Dead School, Jones Apollo and Wheels of Poseidon.

Heroes in Hiding are playing a headline show in Whelan’s to celebrate the summer and the end of exams. There is also less chance of snow this time.

Admission is €5 We are bringing our mates, Dead School, up from Cork to play the event with us. And Jones Apollo and Wheels of Poseidon will also be providing support!

HEROES IN HIDING
*ALL AGES SHOW*

***ALL AGES SHOW***

HEROES IN HIDING

+ Dead School The Journals The Boxing Plot Karma Kreek
Due to complaints from our younger fans about not being able to go to shows due to their age we have decided to do our first self run All Ages show with some brilliant other bands! Tickets are only €10 from any band member or from the Wav Ticket Office

DECLAN O’ROURKE

***EXTRA DATE ADDED ON TUESDAY 14th JUNE***

DECLAN O’ROURKE

and band + special guest. Whelan’s – Tuesday 14th & Thursday 16th June. Let’s hear it for the freshly minted independent artist, the ones that have shaken hands with the devil that is the corporate music industry, and then decide to go it alone. Declan O’Rourke is one such independent artist.

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GRIMES – POSTPONED

POSTPONED TO AUG 3RD

Original tickets still valid or refunds from point of purchase.

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Whelanslive.com presents

GRIMES

+ Catscars.

Grimes is weird pop influenced by styles such as R&B, Industrial, goth, hip hop and Western medieval organum. She is noted for simple but strong percussion, vocal virtuosity, and addictive melodies.

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FANS OF ADVENTURE

FANS OF ADVENTURE

+ SUBSTANCE

The Fans of Adventure make a welcome return to live appearance after an extended break retouching, writing and extending their line up.

The results combine the clamour of Sonic Youth, the tender intimacy of Sparklehorse and primal rhythms of the stooges.

Hopefully soon this distinctive band will need no introduction.

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