Month: August 2011

SILVERBIRD

+ COFFEE & HOWLING FOREVER

Silverbird are playing upstairs in Whelan’s on Thursday the 1st of September.
We have our good friends Coffee playing with us, along with the fantastic Howling Forever opening the show so come along for a good night.

CARNIVAL MOON

+ special guest MARGIE LEWIS + RORY GRUBB

“Carnival Moon brings you to a space that is inspiring and reflective. With Elaine Kelly Canning fronting Carnival Moon with her harp and fragile, tender voice, it is next to impossible to not feel moved by the music. A truly beautiful and epic experience all its own.”

ALLIANCE: Independent Artists for Africa

A Benefit for the Concern Horn of Africa Crisis Appeal

Sunday Sep 25th

Doors 2pm til LATE

Whelan’s main room & upstairs

Tickets €15 from www.tickets.ie & WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

Many of Ireland’s most exciting & original independent musicians will come together to raise emergency funds for the East African drought & famine crisis.

AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR.

PATRICK KELLEHER & HIS COLD DEAD HANDS.

RETARDED COP. TIERANNIESAUR. TOBY KAAR.

WE ARE LOSERS. THE LAST DAYS OF 1984. MOTHS.

GREAT LAKES MYSTERY. SERT ONE. ALARMIST.

WHITE COLLAR BOY. DAITHI. ANGKORWAT.

THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC. FUNERAL SUITS. REID.

DJ NIALLER9. DJ HARMLESS NOISE. SOIL CREEP. LITTLE GREEN CARS (acoustic set). & THE JIMMY CAKE

TIMES:

MAIN VENUE

The Former Soviet Republic 14:30-15:00

Sert One 15:15-15:45

Great Lakes Mystery 16:00-16:30

We Are Losers 16:45-17:15

Retarded Cop 17:30-18:00

Funeral Suits 18:15-18:45

BREAK – Front Bar – Little Green Cars

Alarmist 19:45-20:15

Spies 20:30-21:00

Tieranniesaur 21:15-21:45

The Jimmy Cake 22:00-22:45

ASIWYFA 23:00-00:00

Patrick Kelleher 00:20-01:00

UPSTAIRS

White Collar Boy 19:35-20:00

Reid 20:10-20:45

Soil Creep 20:55-21:20

Moths 21:30-22:00

Angkorwat 22:15-22:45

Daithi 23:00-23:30

Toby Kaar 23:30-00:10

The Last Days of 1984 00:20-00:45

Download the Timetable PDF HERE

The drought situation in the Horn of Africa has reached crisis levels. This is the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years. More than ten million people are in need of humanitarian aid; including approximately 3.2 million in Ethiopia, 2.8 million in Somalia and 3.2 million in Kenya.

The drought is caused by the La Niña phenomenon, which leads to increased rains and flooding in southern Africa, but has resulted in below normal rains in the Horn of Africa region. It hasn’t rained properly in thre region for two years. Five of the past seven years have seen chronic drought in the region due to poor or failed rains.

Although the rains have now arrived, rainfall is expected to be less than average and inadequately distributed. People severely affected have lost nearly all their assets, and if the current rains are inadequate, and indeed next rains thereafter, the crisis will get even worse.

The UN estimates that less than 50 per cent of the money needed for the emergency response is available. Concern is working to prevent a crisis situation, such as in the 1990s where a quarter of a million people perished due to starvation.

What are the issues?

Drought:

Many of those affected are pastoralists, whose lives and livelihoods are sustained by livestock. The drought has devastated their crops, and their animals are dying from lack of water and basic nutrition. People have been travelling, many walking for weeks, to reach urban centres and refugee camps in search of food, water and assistance.

Concern’s Overseas Director, Paul O’Brien says: “When their animals start dying, these people start dying. And when the poorest and most vulnerable people start dying, it is time for the world to act.”

Malnutrition:

Around one in three children in Somalia alone is estimated to be suffering from malnutrition. In Kenya’s Turkana region, malnutrition levels are much higher than expected and have reached 37.4 percent – more than double the 15 percent level considered an emergency.

Concern CEO, Tom Arnold says: “Children are being particularly affected by the lack of food and water; in some areas malnutrition is affecting over 30 percent of children, one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world.”

Food prices:

As a consequence of the situation, food prices have skyrocketed – in some places by 200%. The cost of maize has doubled in some areas. In northern Kenya, the cost of milk has trebled. In Somalia, people have faced similar price rises in basic essentials.

Most people simply cannot afford these price rises as they have absolutely nothing, increasing the urgency to get assistance to those in need of water and nutrition.

Conflict:

In some areas, particularly in Somalia, the crisis is exacerbated by conflict which can make reaching people with aid incredibly difficult.

Over 9,000 refugees a week are now arriving in the Dadaab camp, northeastern Kenya – the world’s largest refugee camp which is already under enormous pressure. Many children under-five are dying within a few days of arrival.

What has been the impact of the drought on families:

Conditions in the pastoral areas in particular are moving toward a ‘worst case scenario’. In some areas of Ethiopia the erratic start and distribution of the rains have led to a near‐total loss of crops. In Somalia, food insecurity conditions remain at emergency levels. Despite the arrival of the rains, pasture has been depleted, and thousands of cattle and goats have died in large numbers. People have seen major riverbeds dry for the first time in their lives.

Pastoralist families are dependent on livestock for survival, and have resorted to desperate measures to try to keep their animals alive. Many have used food normally kept for the family to feed their dying herds, some even going as far as to take the grass off the roofs of their houses, leaving them without adequate shelter.

Children are particularly suffering from a lack of food and water. In Somalia, the drought has forced people to migrate to cities such as Mogadishu, which is putting additional strain on limited resources.

Concern in the region:

Somalia: Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world, devastated by over twenty years of conflict. Concern has been working in Somalia since 1986 responding to emergencies caused by conflict, drought and flooding. We also carry out longer-term development work which focuses on improving water facilities, nutrition, primary education, agriculture and other ways to help people earn a living.

Ethiopia: Concern Worldwide has been working in Ethiopia since 1973 and helped in the response to the 1984-5 famine. Although the situation has improved since then, the country remains vulnerable to erratic rainfall and is severely affected by the current crisis. Our work there focuses on long term health and nutrition, food security and agriculture, HIV and AIDS and education programmes, alongside emergency interventions.

Kenya: Concern’s work In Kenya has focused on livelihoods, reducing malnutrition in urban slums (particularly in mothers and children). We also advocate for imporved children’s rights and we also have HIV and AIDS education programmes.

How Concern is responding now:

Concern began warning about the current crisis several months ago.Concern began responding to the needs of this drought emergency since its onset in late 2010 and is currently reaching over 500,000 people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya with clean water, food and nutritional care.

Darfuro walked 300km with her husband and six children from the Berbaare area to Koorsan IDP Camp. They had six children but one child died during the journey. Pictured is Darfuro with her child Mohamed (10), and in the background are twins Ali and Amina (6), Hussein (2) and (unseen) Isha (7). The children are suffering from headaches, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain, measles and malnutrition. The family are too weak with hunger and sickness to move after their 28 day ordeal. Photo: Jennifer O’Gorman, Concern

Somalia: Concern is one of the few international agencies working on the ground in Somalia, focused on the worst affected areas in the southern and central parts of the country. It is an extremely difficult and complex environment, and getting access to those most in need is a challenge. Working closely with local communities, we are helping to provide:

· Water: We provided water to almost 120,000 people in worst affected areas of Gedo, Galgadud and Lower Shabelle regions using water trucks. Drilling of two new boreholes is nearing completion in Bay and Bakool regions – upon completion, 15,000 people will have access to water.

· Food: 39,000 people are receiving a monthly ration of food through food vouchers in Mogadishu.

· Cash: 2,493 households received $80 each for rehabilitation of 16 rain water catchments.

· Nutrition: We are reaching more than 5,600 people in our nutrition programme, including children under five suffering from malnutrition at our sites in Lower Shabelle and Bay Regions, pregnant and lactating women, and children in supported schools. Three new feeding centres are being established in Mogadishu to provide services to people forced to leave their homes.

Kenya: Concern is reaching almost 100,000 people in Kenya. Half of these are receiving nutrition/food support, while the other half, or 11,500 households, who are in danger of losing all remaining livestock, have benefitted from livestock off-take and livestock health projects to protect surviving animals.

· Livestock “off-take”: Weak cattle, sheep and goats with low market value will be purchased for slaughter from pastoralists who cannot access regular markets. The meat will be distributed to poor households and institutions faced with severe food shortages.

· Provision of, and equipping of veterinary drug kits: 40 active community animal health workers will be equipped with basic veterinary drugs, such as multivitamins, wound sprays and powders, topical antibiotics, de-wormers, and eye ointments to prevent and control livestock disease outbreaks caused by the drought.

· Provision livestock feeds: Livestock feeds (hay and appropriate concentrates) will be provided to cattle as a means of protecting the valued breeding stock and milking herds necessary for the recovery period.

Ethiopia: Concern has been responding since March in the worst affected districts in Borena and Bale zones, Oromiya Region. Water shortages and water access problems are key issues.

The response, reaching more than 260,000 people, includes:

· Water trucking: Physically trucking large volumes of safe drinking water to areas or communities where there is insufficient or no water to meet the needs of the people. The water is then distributed using tanks to people using jerry cans or buckets to affected people. With the arrival of the rainy season, this work has reduced in extent but we anticipate having to restart this if rains are insufficient.

· Livestock protection (fodder provision and veterinary drugs): The drought has affected peoples’ main livelihoods; their livestock upon which they depend for survival – so protecting livestock is very important. Concern has been playing its part with the provision of fodder and veterinary drugs.

· Emergency nutrition in four districts in other regions (as well as ongoing large-scale regional support to the Ministry of Health), now expanded emergency interventions to total of eight districts, as well as ongoing large-scale regional support to the Ministry of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why are food prices going up?

Markets across the region are almost empty of staple foods, while rising global costs are having an impact on the humanitarian response. The global and regional food system is clearly not working for millions of people.

In south central Somalia the price of sorghum has increased by up to 240 percent compared to this time last year. The cost of maize has also doubled or trebled in many areas. In Kenya the price of maize has risen by 20-40 percent compared to this time last year. People are consuming less as a result – in northern Kenya milk is rarely available, or three times its normal price, and children have to make do with less than a quarter of their usual intake.

Who does Concern work with in Somalia?

We work with four local partners. Each partner is screened before partnership to ensure their credibility and thorough background checks are done. Stringent financial systems and controls are in place to prevent resources for which we are responsible being manipulated or fraudulently used. Routine reviews of these controls are carried out regularly to ensure control is effective.

For each partner , we have one Concern staff assigned to monitor regularly the partner activities and build their capacity.

What systems does Concern and the aid community have in place to ensure accountability and transparency?

Operational in Somalia since 1986, we have established a reputation as a committed humanitarian agency that works in a principled fashion and deals with all parties to the conflict in the same way.

We do not take sides; we run our own distributions; and we do not allow interference in identifying beneficiaries.

When interference is impossible to prevent, we suspend the programme pending discussion or we reallocate the assistance. This reputation serves us well and the consistency in our approach is extremely important and has ensured the safety and security of our staff with all parties to the conflict. In any attempt by a party to the conflict to dictate our work, we communicate openly with the target population and engage them in discussions with the party wishing to interfere in our work.

We undertake humanitarian interventions driven solely by the real needs of communities we work with.

Our humanitarian response is informed by findings of in-depth and participatory needs assessments. Therefore, we deliver vital assistance for those identified as most needy and vulnerable. Furthermore, a well detailed selection process is in place together with qualified and experienced national staff in all areas of our operations, which ensures we target aid to those who need it badly.

How do you know that Concern’s efforts are actually helping the Somali people and having a measurable impact?

Concern measures its impact through external and independent evaluations of our work. We also have stringent narrative and financial reporting systems which allow us to review work being done with the country team – this is backed up by monitoring visits from Head Office when security conditions allow.

Within Somalia itself, a specialised monitoring and evaluation team drawn from different sections of the organisation visit programmes and review these, reporting to the country director. Regular visits and follow ups is engaged in by all management staff. Other countries in the region have similar processes in place.

TICKETS:

€15 from www.tickets.ie & WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

Improvised Music Company present

THE DAVID LIEBMAN TRIO

Featuring Ronan Guilfoyle & Jussi Lehtonen

“Liebman is arguably the reigning king of the soprano, as well as one of the most complete improvisers in modern music.”- Chicago Tribune

Soprano saxophonist David Liebman, whose distinguished career includes extended periods with Miles Davis and Elvin Jones plus his own important groups like Quest and Lookout Farm, has taken the most active interest in Ireland, and four years since his last memorable visit, he’s back in the performer, mentor and educator capacities in which he excels.

With his darkly intense tone, sinuous lines and masterful control of volatile chromaticism, Liebman has a unique musical vocabulary that is emotive, powerful and direct. He’s also one of the most generous spirits and forthright thinkers in jazz today, an inspirational teacher and a seminal link to the artists, like Miles, who still cast a long shadow in creative music. Elsewhere on this visit, Liebman gives an illustrate lecture on his times with the great trumpet icon.

Whelan’s has been a happy hunting ground for Liebman over the years, and here he’s reunited with Ronan Guilfoyle, the Irish bassist with whom he enjoys a special rapport that stretches back two decades. It’s the sort of company that requires a drummer who swings mightlly, with an old school commitment to fast terrain and long form blowing. Step up Jussi Lehtonen, mainstay of celebrated Finnish groovers like the Timo Lassy Band, and one of the most propulsive drummers this side of the Arctic circle.

More info on Improvised Music: http://www.improvisedmusic.ie/event_det.php?id=760

Doors 7:30pm on stage 8pm

WATCH:

TICKETS:

€14 available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] & Entertainment.ie

Debasement presents

THE RIPTORNS

+ guests

The Riptorns are an Irish alternative rock band formed in 2009 when Alex Montemor responded to an ad for a lead vocalist to join brothers Colin Nugent on guitar and Keith Nugent on bass along with their old school friend Mark Beirne on drums.

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED***

CATFISH KEITH

+ guests

Cutting-edge blues singer, songwriter and bottleneck slide guitarist Catfish Keith has established himself as one of the most exciting country blues performers of our time. Catfish’s innovative style of foot-stomping, deep delta blues and American roots music has spellbound audiences the world over.

A two-time W. C. Handy Blues Award nominee for BEST ACOUSTIC BLUES ALBUM, and 2008 inductee into the BLUES HALL OF FAME, Catfish has twelve NUMBER ONE independent radio chart-topping albums to his credit, and packs houses all over the world with his dynamic stage show. The 30-year veteran has toured the USA, UK and Europe dozens of times to wide acclaim, headlining major music festivals, and appearing with legends John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Robert Cray, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal , Leo Kottke, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Johnny Shines and many, many others.

Catfish Keith was born in East Chicago, Indiana on February 9th, 1962. He first heard blues as a child while living in “The Harbor,” a working-class, steel mill town. When he picked up the guitar as a teenager, he was inspired to pursue the deep delta blues after being converted by Son House. Following high school in Davenport, Iowa, Catfish hit the road, embarking on a lifelong quest as a solo performer of American roots music.

His travels took him to the Caribbean, where in the Virgin Islands he crewed briefly on a sailboat, soaking up a wealth of island sounds. Rhythms of Jazz, Calypso, Reggae and the music of Joseph Spence gave Catfish inspiration to reach new musical heights. Though he grew up on the Mississippi River, Catfish earned his monicker from a West Indian lobster diving partner who, after seeing him swim, dubbed him “Catfish-Swimmin’-Around,” and “Catfish-Steel-Guitar-Man.”

In 1984, at age 22, Catfish recorded his first album (on Kicking Mule), Catfish Blues. The all-solo debut established him as a new force in acoustic blues, reaching Number One on independent worldwide radio charts. This enabled Catfish to play and tour continually, learning directly from legends such as Johnny Shines, David Honeyboy Edwards, Jesse Mae Hemphill and Henry Townsend.

Since then, Catfish has made a dozen solo albums, including his latest, Live at the Half Moon (on Fish Tail). He constantly tours the world, is a major endorser for National Reso-Phonic Guitars, and his music plays on top-rated TV shows in the US and abroad. He’s also become a respected educator as well as performer, doing guitar workshops, master classes and blues in the schools throughout the the world.

“Known to work his audiences to the bone, Catfish Keith is the real acoustic blues king!”

-Rock ‘n’ Reel

“Pulling Blues Out of The Sky, Catfish lays down a foot-stomping groove. One of the most exciting guitarists of any genre.” -Acoustic Guitar

“One of the finest acoustic bluesmen in America. Every fan of acoustic blues should have all of his discs in their collection. Every record label in America should be engaged in a bidding war. This man is flat-out spectacular!” -Big City Blues

“Catfish bends entire chords as well as the neck and body of his guitar to wrench emotion from his songs. Knock yourself out!” -Guitar Player

“For Catfish Keith, a resonator guitar is an organic extension of his body, an instrument he plays intuitively and with absolute authority. Manhandling Delta vamps, artfully finger picking rag-influenced Piedmont patterns and languidly chording ballads, Catfish is one of the premier pre-war style guitarists recording today.” – Living Blues

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED***

FRED

+ Julie Feeney

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. ‘Leaving My Empire’ is being heralded as one of the strongest Irish releases this year so far.

“Every track on offer is a joy to listen to” Hot Press ★★★★

“Nothing short of breathtaking” We Are Noise ★★★★

“Sprawling, ambitious and intoxicating” Irish Independent ★★★★

“A burst of Technicolor glory” State.ie ★★★★

“Impressively strong body of work” AU Magazine ★★★★

A joy to behold” Heineken Music ★★★★☆

“A beautiful record” The Sunday Business Post

WATCH:

TICKETS:

€13.50 including booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

THE LAZY BAND

SEPTEMBER RESIDENCY IN THE FRONT BAR

Once Upon A Time…there was a girl, who knew a boy, who knew several other boys and girls. What’s so good about that you ask? Well this particular bunch of boys and girls all happened to have several things in common.

THE LAZY BAND

SEPTEMBER RESIDENCY IN THE FRONT BAR

Once Upon A Time…there was a girl, who knew a boy, who knew several other boys and girls. What’s so good about that you ask? Well this particular bunch of boys and girls all happened to have several things in common.

THE LAZY BAND

SEPTEMBER RESIDENCY IN THE FRONT BAR

Once Upon A Time…there was a girl, who knew a boy, who knew several other boys and girls. What’s so good about that you ask? Well this particular bunch of boys and girls all happened to have several things in common.

SOUNDS OF SYSTEM BREAKDOWN

+ YES CADETS & SLEEP THIEVES

SINGLE LAUNCH

What began in as a solo project later expanded into a full band with an ambitious premise; to take live electronic music out from behind the laptop and truly engage with the audience.

JOHN SPILLANE

+ GUESTS.

Twice winner of the meteor award in the best folk/trad category, John Spillane has toured the country and the world spreading joy with a mix of melodic tunes, entertaining stories and poetic lyrics.

Harmonic presents

GARDENS & VILLA

(Secretly Canadian)

+ very special guests HALVES

TIMES: ROI match 7.45, Halves 9.30, Gardens & Villa 10.15

Tickets €12 including booking fee available from www.tickets.ie, www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Republic of Ireland customers: 0818 719 300/Northern Ireland customers: 0844 277 4455/International customer: 00353 1 456 9569

Demented Promotions Presents:

BANE

(US)
Equal Vision Records

+ guests

“BANE, a hardcore punk band, is formed by Aaron Dalbec (former Converge, Only Crime), Aaron Bedard (Backbone), Zach Jordan (Silent Drive), Pete Chilton (Silent Drive) and Bob Mahoney (Reach The Sky).

Aiken Promotions presents

Australian comedy sensation…

AXIS OF AWESOME

& special guest

Tickets on sale Wednesday August 3rd, 9am,  priced  €15 (including booking fee) from www.tickets.ie,  www.ticketmaster.ie & Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. 0818 719 300 – Republic of Ireland customers 0844 277 4455 – Northern Ireland customers 00353 1 456 9569 – International customer

The Axis of Awesome are The World’s Most Awesomest Comedy Band. In the incredible time that they have been together, they have done literally so much stuff. They have blown audiences away around the world, including the prestigious invite-only Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and three sold out seasons at the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe.

Their latest show, “Songs in the Key of Awesome” received multiple 5-star reviews in its premiere season at the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2010, and

they were described as “a superbeast of high energy, high impact comedy” (chortle.co.uk). They have also sold out seasons at the Adelaide Fringe and

Cabaret Festivals, the Sydney and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals and Singapore Flipside Festival.

Not content with breaking box offices around the world, they’ve also smashed internet records – their Four Chord Song is the highest rated comedy video of all time on YouTube, and has received over 14 million hits. They have multiple TV appearances in Australia and globally, and their brand new DVD “The Axis of Awesome Live” is already a hit with audiences worldwide.

They recently picked up the Time Out Award for Best Australian Act at the Sydney Comedy Festival, and they are also recipients of the prestigious Moosehead Award for their first ever Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, “The Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular”.

WHO THEY ARE

JORDAN RASKOPOULOS

Lead vocals

Star of stage and screen, Jordan is best known for his work on Australian TV in such programs as “The Ronnie Johns Half Hour”, “The Squiz”, “Thank God

You’re Here” and “Good News Week”. Jordan is also a master improvisor, a seasoned chameleon who is able to drop into accents and characters at the drop of hat. Jordan is a National Theatresports Champion and was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival for his one-man show, “The Adventures of the Man With the Dominant Claw”. Jordan enjoys Snickers bars and the music of David Bowie.

BENNY DAVIS

Keyboard, vocals

A classically trained musician with a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and an Associate of Music from the A.M.E.B, Benny

brings some class to the Axis. And a portable keyboard. As an original member of the sketch comedy troupe “The Delusionists”, Benny was a stand out in their 2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Show. A regular cast member of almost every improvised comedy show in Sydney, Benny is a musical virtuoso and an accomplished teacher of piano, aural training and musicianship. Benny enjoys Super Mario Galaxy on Nintendo Wii and the music of Billy Joel.

LEE NAIMO

Guitar, way way backup vocals

One of Sydney’s best improvisers, Lee has made stuff up while touring Australia and internationally. Along with Jordan, Lee is a current National Theatresports Champion, and he is co-creator of the hit live show, “Scrabble Unscripted”, which was a sold-out success at both the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Sydney Cracker Comedy Festival in 2006 and 2007. He has an Arts Degree from the University of Sydney (majoring in Performance Studies) and has appeared in numerous television commercials, including one where he took his shirt off for money. Lee enjoys sunshine and the music of the Wiggles.

TICKETS:

€15 incl booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078], Tickets.ie & Ticketmaster.

DON’T LOOK LEFT

+ JORDON DENNIS & BAND

Dont Look Left started in 2010 under a different band name. Drummer Jeff Kirwan and Bassist Ryan McGauley joined with Guitarists Keith larkin and Fran MacCarthy began practicing. It was then the band became ‘Dont Look Left’ and the work began in drummer Jeff’s bedroom. Months laters Vocalist Claire Boshell joined completing the 5-piece Alt-rock band and the band have been writing since.

CIARAN WILDE & FRIENDS

Playing a mixture of 50’s, Blue note, Funk, Jazz and Northern Soul.

The band of consists of Irelands top Jazz Musicians

CIARAN WILDE & FRIENDS

Playing a mixture of 50’s, Blue note, Funk, Jazz and Northern Soul.

The band of consists of Irelands top Jazz Musicians

THE LAZY BAND

SEPTEMBER RESIDENCY IN THE FRONT BAR

Once Upon A Time…there was a girl, who knew a boy, who knew several other boys and girls. What’s so good about that you ask? Well this particular bunch of boys and girls all happened to have several things in common.

Whelanslive.com presents

SONG CYCLE

New weekly singer songwriter showcase

Every Monday Upstairs at Whelan’s

This week featuring:

tbc

“Songs stay alive in the same way that memories do, and being alive they grow up and undergo changes and develop. If a song is too weak to do that, if it is lacking in sufficient stamina and will to endure sadly it will not survive.” Nick Cave – The Secret Life Of The Love Song

Whelan’s are currently accepting submissions for their new weekly singer songwriter showcase. Birth and blossom of great songs has always being something that Whelan’s has been uniquely privileged to be a part to. It makes sense then for us to finally offer a platform for local and non local acts to experiment, sing and share in the friendly informal setting of Whelan’s upstairs. Taking our cues from our favourite artist’s musings on the creative process (Van Dyke Parks lends us the title from his seminal 1967 opus) this night offers artists a fresh new stage to breathe life into songs, experiment with ideas or simply just play for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Each week will feature three to four acts playing 30 minutes. Song Cycle kicks off on Monday May 2nd 2011, entry is free and all are welcome.

Please contact songcycle@whelanslive.com with submissions.

Confirm on Facebook HERE

Whelanslive.com presents

SONG CYCLE

New weekly singer songwriter showcase

Every Monday Upstairs at Whelan’s

This week featuring:

tbc

“Songs stay alive in the same way that memories do, and being alive they grow up and undergo changes and develop. If a song is too weak to do that, if it is lacking in sufficient stamina and will to endure sadly it will not survive.” Nick Cave – The Secret Life Of The Love Song

Whelan’s are currently accepting submissions for their new weekly singer songwriter showcase. Birth and blossom of great songs has always being something that Whelan’s has been uniquely privileged to be a part to. It makes sense then for us to finally offer a platform for local and non local acts to experiment, sing and share in the friendly informal setting of Whelan’s upstairs. Taking our cues from our favourite artist’s musings on the creative process (Van Dyke Parks lends us the title from his seminal 1967 opus) this night offers artists a fresh new stage to breathe life into songs, experiment with ideas or simply just play for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Each week will feature three to four acts playing 30 minutes. Song Cycle kicks off on Monday May 2nd 2011, entry is free and all are welcome.

Please contact songcycle@whelanslive.com with submissions.

Confirm on Facebook HERE

Whelanslive.com presents

SONG CYCLE

New weekly singer songwriter showcase

Every Monday Upstairs at Whelan’s

This week featuring:

tbc

“Songs stay alive in the same way that memories do, and being alive they grow up and undergo changes and develop. If a song is too weak to do that, if it is lacking in sufficient stamina and will to endure sadly it will not survive.” Nick Cave – The Secret Life Of The Love Song

Whelan’s are currently accepting submissions for their new weekly singer songwriter showcase. Birth and blossom of great songs has always being something that Whelan’s has been uniquely privileged to be a part to. It makes sense then for us to finally offer a platform for local and non local acts to experiment, sing and share in the friendly informal setting of Whelan’s upstairs. Taking our cues from our favourite artist’s musings on the creative process (Van Dyke Parks lends us the title from his seminal 1967 opus) this night offers artists a fresh new stage to breathe life into songs, experiment with ideas or simply just play for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Each week will feature three to four acts playing 30 minutes. Song Cycle kicks off on Monday May 2nd 2011, entry is free and all are welcome.

Please contact songcycle@whelanslive.com with submissions.

Confirm on Facebook HERE

Whelanslive.com presents

SONG CYCLE

New weekly singer songwriter showcase

Every Monday Upstairs at Whelan’s

This week featuring:

“Songs stay alive in the same way that memories do, and being alive they grow up and undergo changes and develop. If a song is too weak to do that, if it is lacking in sufficient stamina and will to endure sadly it will not survive.” Nick Cave – The Secret Life Of The Love Song

Whelan’s are currently accepting submissions for their new weekly singer songwriter showcase. Birth and blossom of great songs has always being something that Whelan’s has been uniquely privileged to be a part to. It makes sense then for us to finally offer a platform for local and non local acts to experiment, sing and share in the friendly informal setting of Whelan’s upstairs. Taking our cues from our favourite artist’s musings on the creative process (Van Dyke Parks lends us the title from his seminal 1967 opus) this night offers artists a fresh new stage to breathe life into songs, experiment with ideas or simply just play for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Each week will feature three to four acts playing 30 minutes. Song Cycle kicks off on Monday May 2nd 2011, entry is free and all are welcome.

Please contact songcycle@whelanslive.com with submissions.

Confirm on Facebook HERE

DME presents

THE QUIREBOYS

+ MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD & MORE

It seems hard to believe that it’s been nearly ten years since The Quireboys made their comeback. With a sound that harks back to the ‘70s heyday of The Faces, Stones and Mott The Hoople these boys have remained true to their roots ever since they first hit the boards back in 1984. Their mission statement remains the same too, namely to keep the spirit of good time, bar room, rock ‘n’ roll music alive and kicking in to the twenty first century.

The bands line-up may have changed over the years, but the two remaining original members and primary songwriters Spike and Guy ‘Griff’ Griffin still remain steadfast in their belief that the world still needs a healthy dose of good time rock ‘n’ roll music every now and again. Perhaps now more so than ever. I challenge you to go to a Quireboys show and not have a good time.

With keyboard player Keith Weir, guitarist Paul Guerin, The Quireboys remain one of the best live acts on the road today. So when you hear the words; “We are The Quireboys and this is rock ‘n’ roll,” you know you’re in for just one thing… a rockin’ good time!

See them live in Whelans on Sunday 27th November with support from Irish rockers Million Dollar Reload.

TICKETS:

€20 incl booking fee available from Ticketmaster.ie, WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078], Sound Cellar & Into The Void Records

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LITTLE GREEN CARS

+ GYPSIES ON THE AUTOBAN

Little Green Cars are a five piece band from Dublin. Their debut single ʻThe John Wayneʼ backed with ʻGlass Caseʼ was released on UK label Young and Lost Club (home to Noah & The Whale, Johnny Flynn, Everything Everything, Young The Giant & Fixers) on July 25th (available on itunes).

Theyʼve benefited greatly from production from David Kosten (Bat For Lashes, Everything Everything) and their sound draws from folk-rock which seems to draw inspiration from artists like Tom Waits, Fleetwood Mac and Arcade Fire.

Little Green Cars are Stevie Appleby (vocal & guitar), Adam O’Regan (vocal & guitar), Donagh Seaver OʼLeary (bass guitar), Dylan Lynch (drums) and Faye OʼRourke (vocal & guitar). Having made their debut appearance at Oxegen this summer, with a slot at Electric Picnic to come this will be their first time to play Arthur’s day. 2012 looks set to be an even better year for the band with plans to record and release their debut album.

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TICKETS:

€6 incl booking fee available from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078]

Whelanslive.com presents

SONG CYCLE

New weekly singer songwriter showcase

Every Monday Upstairs at Whelan’s

This week featuring:

Fran Garry

Sarah Sylvia

“Songs stay alive in the same way that memories do, and being alive they grow up and undergo changes and develop. If a song is too weak to do that, if it is lacking in sufficient stamina and will to endure sadly it will not survive.” Nick Cave – The Secret Life Of The Love Song

Whelan’s are currently accepting submissions for their new weekly singer songwriter showcase. Birth and blossom of great songs has always being something that Whelan’s has been uniquely privileged to be a part to. It makes sense then for us to finally offer a platform for local and non local acts to experiment, sing and share in the friendly informal setting of Whelan’s upstairs. Taking our cues from our favourite artist’s musings on the creative process (Van Dyke Parks lends us the title from his seminal 1967 opus) this night offers artists a fresh new stage to breathe life into songs, experiment with ideas or simply just play for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Each week will feature three to four acts playing 30 minutes. Song Cycle kicks off on Monday May 2nd 2011, entry is free and all are welcome.

Please contact songcycle@whelanslive.com with submissions.

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COUNTRY SPIRIT

is an intimate night of music featuring acoustic performances from four emerging country/folk artists:

Gillian Tuite has already earned a reputation for captivating a live audience with her fingerstyle guitar playing, soaring vocal melodies and heartfelt lyrics

Carolann Haskins brings powerful and emotive country songs incorporating elements of rock and folk music

Loyal Cuckoo’s musical style is derived from a wide range of influences, making their set ‘a manifest of the darkest emotions to the most playful sunshine’

The Eskies, already an established act on the young Dublin music scene, blend energetic folk with elements of rock and indie music to create a dynamic live performance

DELHI 2 DUBLIN

+ guests

Hour Magazine wrote that “Delhi 2 Dublin is the United Nations of rock ‘n’ roll”. They are a Vancouver, Canada based band that plays an energetic mash-up of Bhangra, Celtic, Dub Reggae and Electronica with a healthy dose of global rhythms and club beats. Tarun Nayar, Sanjay Seran, Andrew Kim and Ravi Binning along with new members Jaron Freeman-Fox and Sara Fitzpatrick are diverse in both their backgrounds and musical influences. The band has been together over four years and is scheduled to release its latest album, Planet: Electrified, on May 3rd in Canada. The album title is apt because the six musicians feel that they plug directly into the world’s music and energy.

Planet: Electrified is what happened when Delhi 2 Dublin gave 10 of their favourite producers the chance to remix their most recent album, Planet Electric. It represents an expansion for the band – they gave the producers the chance to take Delhi 2 Dublin’s sound and twist it, push it, contort it into everything from electro house to techno to drum ‘n’ bass. Says band member Tarun Nayar, “We love it – it’s amazing to hear tracks we’re so familiar with done in a totally different way. We’re also really happy to be collaborating with some of our heroes – from world electronica legend

Gaudi to tropical hipster Poirier to UK-based drum ‘n’ bass heads Shiva Soundsystem”.

There’s a fair bit of Canadian content too – an effect of the great relationships the band made with other producers across the country over the last year of touring – people like DJ RSK aka sonicanimation (Rossland), Kashoo (Nelson) and Adham Shaikh (Nelson). There is also a brand new

track called “Give It Away”, the result of working with two great new fiddle players. The song is a departure for Delhi 2 Dublin and features big booming 808s, a string section and traditional Punjabi “Heer Ranjha” lyrics.

A live collaboration put together in 2006 as a one-off performance piece for a club night in Vancouver called Delhi to Dublin was so well-received that requests for additional performances led to the official formation of Delhi 2 Dublin. “Not being able to fit into any specific genre allows the band to create whatever we like and not be judged for it. Our audience expects nothing less.” The band finds this advantageous for their live show as it enables them to create a flow to their sets much like a DJ would for the dance floor. “Audiences love to see a band transcending stereotypes and letting the music speak for itself”.

The Delhi 2 Dublin crew is constantly touring. The strong word-of-mouth on their live performances has enabled them to build a loyal and continent wide fan base. The band has played several of the top festivals in Canada and the U.S. and, in 2011, is expanding its horizons to include performances in the Pacific Rim and Europe. A new line-up, a new album and new international touring opportunities all signal that originality and evolution are all part of the Delhi 2 Dublin experience. They have become one of Canada’s most buzzed-about bands and 2011will only see them enhancing that reputation.

WATCH:

TICKETS:

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

Harmonic presents

THE LEISURE SOCIETY

+ Dan Michaelson & The Coastguards

“The Leisure Society’s delightful second record arrives as a wonderful surprise: one leg in and one leg out of the current folk-pop scene but utilising their wide stance to confidently deliver a record bedecked in beautiful, swirling melodies and deftly constructed vignettes.

MCD presents

WASHINGTON

+ guests

Australian singing sensation Washington has just announced her debut Irish performance at Upstairs at Whelan’s on November 3rd 2011

Tickets priced €12 inclusive of booking fee go on-sale Friday August 19th from WAV, Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and ticketmaster.ie

Megan Washington’s biography:

Yes, she is a female singer songwriter…but she’s not shy and retreating or cute. Her voice will stop you in your tracks. It brings grown men to tears on live television (seriously). It soars, then falters, then soars again and it is full of sorrow even when it is full of joy (soft, broken, soaring, sorrow, spitting, sneering, smiling etc etc etc). And she can dance.

She grew up in Papua New Guinea so she is a wild girl that knows which tree has water in its trunk, but she speaks French and wears couture even though she can’t afford groceries.
She made a record called “I Believe You Liar” and it’s not like other records. Its better and it’s hard to tell why exactly.
They’re all pop songs but not like you think. They are really, really wordy twisty complicated key changing sons of bitches that you’d have to go to music school for 6 years to play (she did) but after they’re done you can remember every chorus and every hook, and on the second listen you may be able to sing back most of the words.
They are mostly about love and how love can make you feel any other emotion.
She calls them sonic polaroids. That’s a little pretentious but you know what she means.

WATCH:

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN MOVED TO SEPT 28TH***

www.whelanslive.com presents

BARRY McCORMACK

(Full Band)

+ MINNIE & THE ILLYWACKERS

‘McCormack takes his listener into dark, surreal and often downright funny territory…this is Patrick McCabe put to music. And just as in McCabe’s novels the macabre and the hilarious often sit side by side.’ – The Irish Independent

‘Last Night, as I was Wandering is a purgatorial stripmall facade of Nightown, populated by ghosts who walk: Kelly, Kavanagh, Behan, Dylan, MacGowan, the brothers Palace and Louvin and James Clarence Mangan…here’s a body of song which understands that any port town is also a portal town, a hell door that admits all manner of strange sailors, strumpets and shape shifters.’ – Peter Murphy, Hot Press

‘You could imagine Shane MacGowan or Luke Kelly blasting out these songs and if that’s not a recommendation, we don’t know what is.’ – The RTE Guide

Jubilee Allstars, Barry McCormack’s former band, were once aptly described as equal parts Velvet Underground, Leonard Cohen and Brendan Behan; and the records Barry contributed to before leaving the band in 2001 were influenced by the Irish song and literary traditions and American roots and rock music.

It was the former influences that were brought to the fore on Barry’s debut solo album We Drank Our Tears (2003), which was critically lauded for eschewing the introspective, soul-searching approach of his contemporaries in favour of songs inspired by the Irish storytelling tradition. Hot Press called it ‘A melting pot of Brendan Behan, Bob Dylan and Shane MacGowan…McCormack has created an album of contemporary folk songs rooted in a tradition that goes back generations.’

Perhaps ironically, it was encounters Barry had with American musicians, touring as support with Alt Folk/Country acts like The Handsome Family, Adam Snyder and Joe Pernice, which made him eager to explore the song tradition of his own country.

The influence of the Dublin street-singing tradition, as well as his reading of the local history, are apparent on Barry’s second record, Last Night, as I was Wandering (2006). ‘His city is a purgatorial stripmall facade of Nightown‘, said Hot Press, ‘populated by ghosts who walk: Kelly, Kavanagh, Behan, Dylan, MacGowan, the brothers Palace and Louvin and James Clarence Mangan.’

McCormack’s third record, Night Visiting, (2008) was something of a departure in that the songs took on a rural feel in both setting and story. Inspired by local history, short stories and folk songs, the Irish Independent called it, ‘Patrick McCabe put to music. And, just as in McCabe’s novels the macabre and hilarious often sit side by side’.

His hometown had been the inspiration behind Jubilee Allstars’ second album Lights of the City (2011), which saw the band gain some renown as Dublin eulogists. The title track, which Barry penned, was described by the The Guardian as ‘probably the first great song explicitly written about the bittersweet effects of urban gentrification’.

His latest album, Small Mercies (2011), returns to this theme and also sees him returning to playing with a full band for a record that he feels shows him maturing as an artist and fulfilling the potential shown on earlier albums. The Irish Times’ Brian Boyd called it ‘a wondrous affair…writing of a post-boom Dublin landscape that you only thought Phil Chevron capable of…a triumph’. 

WATCH:

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN MOVED TO SEPT 28TH***

www.whelanslive.com presents

BARRY McCORMACK

(solo)

+ GARY FITZPATRICK

WATCH:

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED – REFUNDS AVAILABLE FROM POINT OF SALE***

MCD presents

KYLE EASTWOOD

+ guests

***THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED – REFUNDS AVAILABLE FROM POINT OF SALE***

“considerable charm and unassuming excellence” (The Times)

GHOST ESTATES

+ THE NORTH SEA & JON DOTS

Electric Picnic 2011 Warm Up Gig

Irish 5 piece GHOST ESTATES have been together since March 2010, the band started gigging barley 6 months ago and they already have a debut album recorded. The album was recorded at Sun studios by John Henry and at Volt Studios by Ghost Estates Daniel Doherty. The album was mixed by Marc Carolan (Muse, Snow Patrol).

1969 records presents:

NIALL COLFER

+ PAUL HOURICAN

“Proving that the art of song writing isn’t dead, Niall Colfer’s debut is a joy to listen to from start to finish….Blind Eye is one of the best tracks that i’ve heard in moons”. Hot Press

“.. you’d need a heart of concrete to resist..” Sunday Business Post

ARTHURS DAY

PLAY ON THE DAY REGIONAL FINAL

feat: Leaders of Men, Roisin O, The Fallen Drakes & The Original Rudeboys

Guinness, Hot Press and RTÉ 2fm have teamed up to bring you the ultimate band competition – with the ultimate prize: to play the main stage at Arthur’s Day in Dublin. Plus, the winners will receive a brilliant array of additional prizes, including: the opportunity to record and release a single; a smorgasbord of top-end musical equipment and lots more.

An integral part of this year’s Arthur’s Day celebrations, Play On The Day is a nationwide search for the very best Irish musical talent, covering the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. And it couldn’t be easier to enter: all you have to do is upload one track – either as a link to a web site or as an MP3 – give us your details, and you’re in.

The even better news is that there will be more than one winner in the Arthur’s Day Play On The Day competition!

To enter this competition, all participants must be over 18 years of age.

For further details click here

For the complete list of prizes, click here
For the complete list of term and conditions click here

CIARAN WILDE & FRIENDS

Playing a mixture of 50’s, Blue note, Funk, Jazz and Northern Soul.

The band of consists of Irelands top Jazz Musicians

HENRIETTA GAME

+ guests

Electric Picnic 2011 Warm Up Gig

Henrietta Game// ALBUM ‘BLACK SHIP’ OUT NOW!