State begins the day at the summit of the Puy de Dôme volcano, about 10 kilometres from the Europavox site. The visit may just be the most inspired moment of the weekend as it blows the cobwebs out of the system, helping overcome the symptoms of the third day slump that most festival-goers will be…

There are some nasty hangovers in the State camp this morning, thanks mostly to photographer Claire Weir who announced at the last moment that yesterday was her birthday. In these situations partying is compulsory so it’s with throbbing heads and churning stomachs that we force our eyes open and go into action today. Thankfully, the…

For the past four years, the French town of Clermont-Ferrand has been the home of Europavox, a music festival displaying the best in European music. The event is centred around La Coopérative de Mai, a rather fine music venue located just a stone’s throw from the town centre. It boasts two separate concert areas, backed-up…

This week State packs its bags and jets off to France to attend Europavox, a neat little music festival taking place in the town of Clermont-Ferrand. Now in its fourth year, the festival manifests itself as a series of concerts held in venues around Clermont and the surrounding area to showcase the finest European musical…

Tonight’s performance is the second of four Irish dates on Morrissey’s -Tour Of Refusal’, which surprisingly doesn’t include a stop-off in Dublin. Not that State is complaining, though. In fact, the change of scenery is quite welcome. The pleasant seafront promenades, the uniquely laid-back atmosphere and the noticeable absence of touts are some of the…

It’s hard to believe it’s seven years since God Is An Astronaut first graced a stage with their spellbinding post-rock. It’s even harder to believe just how little exposure they’ve been granted by the Irish music press in that time. But far from being deterred by this, the Wicklow three-piece have established a global following…

In these days of economic doom and gloom it’s good to know that, in music at least, your stock can still rise. Such is the case with Derry threesome Fighting With Wire. The past year has seen them release their debut album, sign a deal with Atlantic Records and perform at a host of leading…

This is Ladytron’s second Dublin concert this year, with their last appearance being a quite magnificent performance at the same venue back in May. While tonight’s show hasn’t sold out, there’s still a healthy crowd assembled and waiting patiently as support act Asobi Seksu wail their way through a rather lengthy set.
The Liverpudlian quartet…

With their latest offering In Ghost Colours… being lauded as a real contender for album of the year, Cut Copy’s appearance at this year’s Heineken Green Synergy festival has been eagerly awaited. And if the audience members squeezed into the Village tonight look smug it’s because they’re the privileged ones who’re lucky enough to be

Having delighted the masses at Electric Picnic back in August with their distinctive brand of synthpop, Goldfrapp made a welcome return to Ireland in support of their latest album, Seventh Tree… last Friday.
Such is the anticipation and expectation surrounding tonight’s performance, it seems nobody wants to miss a second and the venue is full