A big note to add to this week’s Gig Guide is that of further changes in the venue picture for Cork City.
It would appear as though Washington Street venue The Kino, in its current incarnation, has ceased accepting bookings past next weekend, with any bookings past that date urged to contact the venue for more information. It’s a loss to the music community, as the former arthouse’s most recent incarnation has been a solid supporter of local tunes.
Turnover is always a thing, mind you, and the Cyprus Avenue crew this week soft-announced the existence of a new space in its newly-renovated building on Caroline Street. Winthrop Avenue, just in off Winthrop Street, will act as a smaller space, focusing on Irish artists, including October gigs for Cry Monster Cry and Saarloos, as per the venue’s Facebook. It’s a welcome step, as the city has long needed a Dolan’s-esque complex of its own, with a number of stages providing a hub for music in a central location.
FRIDAY JULY 26TH
Chris McDonald @ Levis’ of Ballydehob (8pm, donations)
Bear Bojack man strikes out solo in the village venue, in a pass-the-hat show.
Ghostking is Dead & Arthur Valentine @ Ocana’s, Mallow (8pm, free)
It’s a HAUSU mini-special ahead of next week’s Cyprus Avenue showcase, with label artists playing solo sets as part of Mallow Arts Festival.
Audible Joes’ Summer Punk Bash @ Fred Zeppelin’s (8pm, €7)
Cork punx are joined by Screams from the Attic and Without a Cause.
Ned Doheny @ Connolly’s of Leap (8pm, €10)
California soft-rock icon hosts an intimate performance under the hammers.
Myles Manley @ The Roundy/PLUGD (8.30pm, €10)
Sligo’s hottest pop property deigns to return to Cork to rock various parties. Support from the all-new super-team of Elaine Malone and Laurie Shaw.
The Service @ Crane Lane Theatre (9pm, free)
Cork Ska and Reggae Festival kicks off with a free gig from the Leeside ska/rocksteady veterans.
Bleeding Heart Pigeons & Hey Rusty @ Coughlan’s (9pm, €10)
A double-dose of Limerick folk/singer-songwriter in the back room on Douglas Street.
Arthur Itis @ The Corner House (10pm, free)
The latest installment of the Last Fridays sessions from the Coburg Street trad outpost.
Pretty Happy & (TAFKA) The Sl*t Club @ Ocana’s, Mallow (10pm, free)
A double-dose of punk and psychedelia from the city as part of Mallow Arts Festival, with the latter playing their last gig before assuming the name ‘The Love Buzz’.
Lydia Violet & The Bones @ The Brú (10pm, free)
Iranian-American multi-instrumentalist brings her swamp-stomp roots band to the McCurtain Street hostel/venue.
VIYBZ @ Dali (10pm, €10)
Afrocentric beats and tunes from DJ Swill and guests.
Good Music @ Cyprus Avenue (11pm, €10)
A big pre-Electric Picnic party to launch the festival’s Trenchtown stage, with appearances from Stevie G, 2FM’s DJ Wax, and Leeside rapper Outsider YP.
SATURDAY JULY 27TH
Cork Ska and Reggae Festival @ Crane Lane Theatre (all day, check links)
The second day of booker Kate O’Shea’s ska and reggae weekender takes in familiar Irish genre names, including The Light Runners, Keltic Posse and Dreadzone.
Cuttin’ Heads Collective @ Kepplers’, Mallow (9pm, free)
Cork’s hip-hop co-op drops into Mallow Arts Festival, with crew regulars on the mic and JusMe commandeering live MPC beats.
Venus Sleeps, Partholón & Slung from a Tree @ Fred Zeppelin’s (9pm, tbc)
A triple-bill of sludgy, doomy metal courtesy of the Paranoid Pit crew, recorded for future release.
Vinyl Below @ Dali (10pm, €12)
The Carey’s Lane venue leads off a summer residents’ night with Ronin and guests.
Jester @ DeBarra’s of Clonakilty (10.30pm, free)
Tipperary alt-rock veterans roadtest new material ahead of their debut album after ten years together and pre-streaming chart success.
The Hanley Brothers @ Cyprus Avenue (11pm, €8)
House and techno ’til close with the brothers Hanley upstairs on Caroline Street.
SUNDAY JULY 28TH
Cork Ska and Reggae Festival @ Crane Lane Theatre (all day, check links)
The last day of booker Kate O’Shea’s ska and reggae weekender takes in jam-packed, including The Skallions, Pontius Pilate and the Naildrivers, Junior Bill, and Ophelia.
Mick Flannery @ Connolly’s of Leap (7pm, €23)
Veteran Cork singer-songwriter plays under the hammers as part of an ongoing series of gigs to celebrate recent album-chart success.
Gadget and the Cloud & The Quiet Club @ Keppler’s of Mallow (7,30pm, free)
Live electronica and experimental to help round up the action for Mallow Arts Festival, including (full disclosure: N9 contributor) Kelly Doherty and North Cork sound-art legends The Quiet Club.
SSMMUT and more @ The Roundy/PLUGD (8pm, €8)
A night of post-punk and krauty, kosmiche action upstairs in the home of PLUGD Records.
