WHILST the new generation of Irish talent continues to impress with new releases, the arts sector looks to celebrate the youth movement and one of Belfast’s premier bands announces their homecoming show. Last week we announced the exciting news that punk-jazz outfit Robocobra Quartet, one of Belfast’s maverick musical enterprises, would return with their much anticipated third studio album. If the singles ‘Wellness’ (my personal favourite track of the year so far) or ‘Heaven’ are anything to go by, then it's going to be a scorcher.
IN light of the hardships that Covid-19 has placed on the creative sector, the music industry has continued to evolve and use new spaces and strategies to uplift itself. Nightclubs and other late-night culture hubs were amongst the worst hit in the sector. Public lobbying has led to an indication that licensing laws will change in the near future but this has come far too late, given the figures that four out of every five nightclubs since 2000 have closed (according to research from advocacy group Give Us The Night).
PLENTY of album news from both Ireland's mainstream and alternative quarters abound this week, while folk and traditional music also get their time in the sun.
THOSE who followed last week’s column will be aware of the much-lauded Output Festival that takes place on Thursday, April 21. Ahead of the much-awaited live return of the festival, the full programming for the night of free-entry performances from Irish acts has been announced. And for those overwhelmed (who can blame you, there are over 20 bands booked to play in less than four hours?), I‘ve prepared a handy guide for the acts and venues that you absolutely can’t miss this year.
AS one of Ireland's most prolific showcases returns for its first in-person event in two years, the South launches a pilot scheme that could benefit a new generation of artists in career-defining ways. It’s only right we have some excellent music to celebrate in the meantime. Long-time readers will be aware of my affinity for the Belfast-based Output Festival. Ireland's largest showcase of new and emerging talent, Output sees a global arts industry take over the MAC and the Cathedral Quarter for a day of panels and a night of performances.
NORTHERN Winds returns to home turf after several weeks abroad with some of our finest artists, just in time for festival announcement season to go into full swing. There are a number of opportunities to see home-grown artists take the stage alongside international talent, the best of which will be detailed below alongside some excellent new releases this week.
NORTHERN Winds remains on the road, this week reporting live from sunny Mexico City. We’re out here with new Irish hopeful Lemonade Shoelace, who was crowned the winner of the VANS Musicians Wanted competition last year. The prestigious award saw him and the band flown out to the Mexican capital to perform at the shoe brand's new venue alongside global superstar YUNGBLUD. Performing to a sold-out crowd halfway round the world isn’t something a lot of young musicians get to put on their CV – but judging from the lines of punters queuing for autographs and photographs, this won’t be Lemonade’s last time out here.
GREETINGS from sunny Texas. Reporting live from the state capital Austin for this year's SXSW, Northern Winds goes on the road to report back on the delegates and musicians representing the North at the largest music and tech festival in the world.
ONE of the year's first hotly anticipated albums drops this week, Ireland's largest festival announces its return and independent voices get national recognition in this week's Northern Winds.
IRISH artists are showing their support for Ukraine, RTÉ Choice awards have made the right and wrong decisions and homegrown talent have got adopted by international labels. Every year, some of the country’s finest musicians and artists attend the April Sounds festival in Kilkenny. The three-day celebration runs during the second week of April, with this year's proceeds going to the Red Cross Ukraine and UNICEF Ukraine to assist with relief efforts during the conflict. Taking place in Kilkenny's St Canice's Cathedral and the Medieval Mile Museum, April Sounds features a line-up with the likes of Lisa O’Neill, Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly. A worthy line-up even without the added incentive of a heavy-hitter. Tickets are on sale now, and they never last, folks. Staying in Kilkenny, there's something else for the locals to celebrate. DJ and producer duo 49th & Main announced this week that they have officially inked an international record deal with UK label Ninja Tune. Now peers and label mates with the likes of Bicep, Bonobo and Thundercat, 49th & Main will take their jazz-infused house music on a global scale going forward. A great day for the parish.
IT’S been a strong week of release news for Irish artists this week, with mainstream and cult favourites dropping new tracks for a re-opening world. Previously lauded in this very column for his production credits, bandleader Chris Ryan’s main project is amongst Ireland's most prolific jazz outlets. Robocobra Quartet, whose blend of jazz and punk is as arresting as it sounds, released their first new music in three years. This came alongside the announcement of their third album, which is to be released on First Take Records later this year. Their two new tracks, ‘Heaven’ and ‘Night’, are inspired, stream-of-consciousness punk tracks wherein all the distortion is replaced with alternative time signatures and brass. It's a welcome return for one of Belfast's signature outfits.
CREATIVES take their career into their own collaborative hands and one of Ireland’s most popular bands take a stance against inept politicians in this week's Northern Winds. After over two years of musicians being confined to their homes, a new artist-led and friendly initiative was announced this week to re-ignite creative flames. Soft Gut Song Camp, founded this year after a successful trial run last October, announced its inaugural outing with a call-out for applications from Northern songwriters. Founded by singer Ciaran Lavery, alongside music industry professionals Nikki MacRae and Jo Wright, Soft Gut has a mission statement rooted firmly in encouraging and cultivating creativity in a fully immersive multi-day song camp for regional artists. Hosted in the world-class Analogue Catalogue studio in Newry between April 14 and 16 this year, Soft Gut will put some of the best producers, songwriters and players in the room together to forge new relationships, promote unity and maximise collaborative potential. Speaking of the song camp, Ciaran said: “Soft Gut was created primarily out of the desire to support a healthier and functioning music community – not just a theoretical one, but one that can encourage collaboration and healthy competition in the North of Ireland. It has also been created to break down the longstanding ‘big fish, small pond’ narrative, where being based in NI will eventually stifle your career and so it’s best to relocate off the island. With the effects of Brexit already leaving a cloud over talk of touring visas, there is no time like the present to support artists here and help to nurture a music scene that encourages them to flourish while they are based here.” Applications open on Thursday, February 24 and close one month later, March 24. The fee to attend is £225 and includes accommodation, meals and holistic career development advice. On the release side of news, we have Fontaines D.C., one of the better bands to emerge from Ireland in recent years, releasing their new single ‘I Love You’, the first track where frontman and songwriter Grian Chatten admits he has gone “overtly political”. Taken from their upcoming third album, ‘Skinty Fia’, the Dublin quintet’s latest single takes aim at FF/FG and they’re the latest high-profile act from the arts to voice their frustration at the Dáil this year. Referencing the tragedy of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home in Galway, Chatten growls: “This island’s run by sharks with children’s bones stuck in their jaws.” With the band re-locating to London following rising rent prices in the nation’s capital, the frustration and rage at those in power is palpable.
TROUBLING statistics arise this week that bring the actions of legislators into question, whilst festivals old and new release further information as we prepare for the first proper summer of entertainment in two years. Advocacy group for the night-time industry Give Us The Night have been responsible for bringing the failures of lawmakers to light over the last year, and have highlighted Ireland’s struggle to match the global economy on opening times and opportunities for creators. Now the group also reports that four out of five nightclubs have closed since the year 2000, citing an 84 per cent drop-off in social settings for young people in the country. A group spokesman said: “There were a total of 522 dance venues across Ireland in the year 2000, with 100 in Dublin, compared to about 85 across the country today. The average number of venues per county has dropped from 19 to about three, with some now at zero.”
IN what feels the closest to normality in months, new music continues to be released, festival announcements pile up and several Irish talents, staples and new faces announce some of their biggest shows to date. A follow-up from a previous story, to begin with. The RTÉ choice awards have revealed the final nominees for its ‘Song of the Year’ category. Unlike the panel-selected winner of the album column, the best song combines judges and public votes. With big names such as Picture This and Dermot Kennedy in this year’s shortlists, my personal favourite is Bobbi Arlo’s ‘Feel It’. A sticky, dark slice of alternative pop and dance music, Arlo’s inclusion amongst the heavy hitters is a signal of the quality to expect going forward.
WITH news that restrictions are to once again be lifted from the nightlife of the country, Irish artists have responded accordingly – and broadcasting authorities have continued to make boneheaded decisions during an already difficult period for independents. Two Northern institutions broke back into the collective consciousness last week with surprise announcements that are welcomed by anyone with good taste. First off, we have the first line-up drop for the AVA festival, which will return to the Titanic Slipway this June. With their headline slots usually filled with a medley of international talent, AVA has secured a coup in investing native talent into their lineup. With top billing going to local heroes Bicep, there's no shortage of Belfast talent the whole way down the bill. With sets from the likes of Carlton Doom, Holly Lester and Jordan Nocturne and support from rising artists like HY:LY, Brién and Plain Sailing, the festival have clearly stated their belief in grassroots electronica.