Good evening Ireland, and that’s an order. Jameson have teamed up with Nialler9 in the pursuit of a great night out. So if you have no plans, read on…
Here is a selection of some of the best music events happening before the end of the year, as picked by Nialler9.
All Tvvins @ Whelan’s (€12)
Thursday November 13
With Adebisi Shank now gone the way of the dodo and The Cast Of Cheers siding with an uncertain future, two of the prolific musicians of each band have found the time to get together and made tvvins, now called All Tvvins, a project which sees the pair bring their love of synthetic and treated vocals, 80s electro-pop and the sinewy rock they’re learned in. Now signed to a UK label, this Dublin date, as part of a small run of Irish dates, might be your last chance to see them in such small surroundings.
Sam Amidon @ Whelan’s (€18)
Friday November 14
Vermont’s Sam Amidon is one of the few American folk singers who equally at home delving into rich archive of folk music whether the song is of Appalachian origin or first sung in Ireland (he covered Streets Of Derry at Other Voices). His recently released Lily-O album, like his last album Bright Sunny South, will feature some reimagined folk songs but live, his sets are truly the work of an original and can feature a strong dose of weird humour, occasional screeching and stage antics among the beautiful noise.
FMC Tour @ The Workman’s Club (€10)
Saturday November 15
The FMC tour is an opportunity to see some of the best Irish bands on the up in local venues. This year’s main bands are Sleep Thieves, Fight Like Apes and Kid Karate and after gigs together in Limerick, Galway, Cork, Dundalk and finally, Dublin with support from Plutonic Dust.
Chet Faker @ The Academy (€16.50)
Tuesday November 18
The popularity of Aussie Faker has come as a surprise to many but listening to those smooth R&B-style vocals and his crisp electronic soul productions, not to mention his collaborations with wonderkid Flume, his appeal is plain to hear. This gig is somewhat of a post Built on Glass album release victory lap as he sold out the Button Factory earlier this year.
Mos Def @ Vicar Street (€33.50)
Monday November 24
Mos Def, the New York rapper who goes under the name Yasiin Bey, released his seminal debut Black On Both Sides 15 years ago this year. It’s still a classic and contemporary so a good time to hear some of those songs along with others from the rapper’s illustrious career.
Little Dragon @ Vicar Street (€25)
Tuesday November 25
These electro-popping Swedes are only getting better as their latest album Nabuma Rubberband and its singles Klapp Klapp, Pretty Girls and Paris proves. Live though, is where they shine so buy tickets for this if you’ve not yet as it’s due to be a sell out.
Kygo @ Twisted Pepper (€19.90)
Thursday November 27
This one could go either way in terms of live performance but there’s no denying what a big impact the 23 year-old Norwegian producer Kygo has had with a handful of remixes and a Soundcloud account. His rework of The Weeknd is my favourite if you’re asking. Live he’ll be supported by DJ Amtrac.
Eglo Records night @ The Sugar Club (€22.90)
Friday November 28
One of the best labels in the UK takes over the Leeson Street venue. Co-founders Alex Nut and recent Samhain special guest Floating Points will be Djing on the night but the presence of Fatima, Eglo’s in-house soulful singer who released one of the best albums of the year in Yellow Memories, is most anticipated, particularly with a live band around her.
Woman’s Hour @ The Workman’s Club (€10)
Saturday November 29
The name might come from a BBC Radio 4 radio show about female news and culture show but the four-piece band’s music is much less academic: silky R&B pop music that’s sensual and emotional as heard on their Conversations debut album. They’ve only played here thus far as surprise guests at Other Voices’ Electric Picnic stage this year.
Sinkane @ Opium Rooms (€14.35)
Wednesday December 3
New York/Sudanese musician Ahmed Gallab’s third album under the Sinkane name is his best yet, a balmy release of stretchy basslines, guitar grooves, deep percussion and Gallab’s sweet vocals. It also has sounds from old soul music, Afro-funk, calypso, reggae and country.
Yule Hearts Run Free @ The Co-Op, Dublin 8
Saturday December 6
Their recent weekend-long festival No Idle Day typified Young Hearts Run Free’s ethos of interesting and unique cultural events, from The KLF’s Bill Drummond talking about selling his soul to the devil in Marsh’s Library to John Osborne performing his sweet spoken word show about his life in records John Peel’s Shed. There’s no lineup announced for this yet but you can be sure, as with previous years where guests like The Strypes and Villagers turned up among some fine lesser-celebrated local talent, that Newmarket Square, home of the Dublin Flea Market, will turn into a right old festive party once again.
Sleaford Mods @ Whelan’s (€16)
Saturday December 13
These dudes look like a cross between Liam Gallagher and fellahs you wouldn’t want to meet down a dark alley. Their music has a similar confrontational gait: working class Nottingham punk poetry, both scathing and sardonic. Live, it should be a heady sweaty affair with some serious substance.
Little Green Cars @ Vicar Street (€22)
Sunday December 14
The young Double harmonic indie-folk band have been on a two-year tour since before they released their hugely-successful debut album. In that time, they’ve gone on tour in North America and Europe and this December, they return for a last series of largely acoustic gigs on their current tour taking in Galway, Newbridge, Ennis, Kilkenny, Cork, Waterford and this big one in Dublin.
Brassland @ National Concert Hall, Dublin
Saturday December 13 – Sunday December 14
The collaborative group Brassland return with a host of international and local musicians this December from folk to rock to indie and more. This is The Kit, Matthew E. White, Megafaun and more will perform music collected by American folklorist Alan Lomax, Buke & Gase and Crash Ensemble wil play the music of The National’s Bryce Dessner and The Gloaming’s Thomas Barlett will be accompanied by Glen Hansard, Paul Noonan and Lisa O’Neill for his Doveman’s Burgundy Stain Sessions.
Lisa O’Neill @ Unitarian Church (€15)
Friday December 19
Over a year since the release of her latest album, Same Cloth Or Not, the Cavan folk singer’s personality and colloquial songs continue to find new ears. She’s been all quiet on the Irish front this year so this gig is your only chance to see her charming self in the flesh.
Run The Jewels @ Opium Rooms (€17.35)
Sunday December 21
Two near-forty year old rappers, with a near-lifetime of respectable success, got together last year and made one of the rap mixtapes of the year. This year, El-P and Killer Mike graduated to album format for RTJ2 and the result has been a rap album that bangs harder than any other. You’d be a fool to miss this. A Christmas fool.
Heading out this weekend? With Jameson you’ll be ready for whatever the weekend has in store.
Enjoy Jameson sensibly, visit drinkaware.ie
