7. Somerville
Spectral Galway artist
Friday October 3 – 9.20pm @ Button Factory / 1pm @ Exchange
Galway’s Maria Somerville makes slow, moving music with the barest of instruments and the most delicate of touch. Despite having not properly released a track yet, she’s made a name for herself through talent and word of mouth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEaTT6mcpl4
8. Contour
Lush Ninja Tune-style electronic duo
Friday October 3 – 8:40pm @ Twisted Pepper
Conan Wynne and Anna Doran have signed to Champion Sound Recordings (UNKNWN, Ghosts, Ryan Vail) and have released their EP Chaos Theories with the label, which takes inspiration from song structures based on geometric shapes. All four songs were made with a combo of good old-fashioned hardware like synths and tape and digital techniques.
9. Elastic Sleep
Cork shoegaze rockers.
Friday October 3 – 10:40pm @ The Mercantile / 2pm @ NDRC
Shoegazing throwback gorgeousness from the Cork five-piece. ‘Leave You’ is a highlight but there’s more to explore like this great cover of a Bond Theme / Nancy Sinatra song.
10. Clu
One of the best electronic acts in Ireland right now
Friday October 3 – 10pm @ Twisted Pepper / 1pm @ HMV Grafton Street (Saturday)
With the release of their recent Gems EP, Sean Cooley and Kevin Freeney have positioned themselves as not only a leading light in Irish electronic music but also as an artistic-lead A/V experience. ‘Mirrors’ is one of my favourite things this year in both forms.
10. Buffalo Woman
Electro art pop
Friday October 3 – 10.40pm @ The Mercantile / 4pm @ The Church (Saturday)
Predominantly a live experience for now, Buffalo Woman are Tim O’Donovan and Neil Watkins, the former making the music in an electro pop style and the latter bringing his dramatic performance prowess to the stage at the front. Dancing music.
11. Silences
Armagh lush folk pop
Friday October 3 – 8.40pm @ Button Factory / 1pm @ HMV Henry Street
They get some play on BBC Across The Line which is where I’m familiar with them, and they played Other Voices last year. The Armagh five-piece’s pretty lush folk music has an endearing form to it. A new EP called Sister Snow is out this month. Here’s one from their debut EP.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
