Having made their name playing the blues of their native Mali, Amadou & Mariam have become one of the leading global ambassadors for African music in recent years. Working with artists from Manu Chao and Damon Albarn to Coldplay, Scissor Sisters and U2, the couple have nonetheless managed to stay true to their roots. It’s…

Last week saw the release of Elaine Mai’s debut EP Dots (hear it on Nialler9, buy it here) and to mark the event we bring you this lovely video from Simon O’Neill and regular State cohort Myles O’Reilly.
It captures her mixture of acoustic music and technology perfectly, something you can see for yourselves when…

Banjo player Barney McKenna, the last remaining original member of the Dubliners, has passed away in Dublin. Reports suggest that McKenna collapsed at his home and was taken to Beaumont Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The band, due to tour later this year, have issued this statement:
It is with great sadness that The…

Having not stepped on a Dublin stage in 2012, Solar Bears return to action over the May bank holiday weekend with a show at the Button Factory. Support on Sunday 6th comes from Letherette and State Face of 2012 SertOne, with tickets priced €8 on sale now. The duo release their second album Supermigration… later

With the initial date on July 12th selling out immediately, Paul Simon will play a second show at the O2 on the following night. Performing his classic Graceland in its entirety, Simon will be joined on this European tour by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 18th April at 9am.…

Try as hard as you might, when it comes to the debut album from Willis Earl Beal it’s very hard to approach the music without referencing his back story. Maybe it’s because most acts these days come from such a dull, homogonous place, but you can’t help but be intrigued by the tale of a…

State is very sad to hear the news that AU Magazine has been forced to stop publishing their physical magazine as a result of a cut in their funding.
A statement on their website reads:
It is with great sadness that we announce that Alternative Ulster was unsuccessful in securing Arts Council funding for 2012/2013.…

The act behind one of last year’s most striking albums, Death Grips are already planning two follow ups this year following their major label deal. There’s also a string of live dates, including an Irish show at the Academy 2 on May 18th. Tickets €15 including booking fee are on sale now from Ticketmaster outlets…

There’s a heavyweight bill on the cards for this year’s Sea Sessions festival – taking place in Bundoran on June 29th, 30th & July 1st. Aside from the non-musical surfing and sporting events, the line-up so far reads as follows:
Billy Scurry, Bitches With Wolves, Crazy P, Delorentos, Dom Servini, Fujiya & Miyagi, Ham Sandwich,…

Tomorrow sees the release of Locked Down…, the new album from legendary bluesman Dr John. Produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, it’s a match made in heaven and one that ties the singer both to the past and the present. Watch the video for the title track below and if you like

Despite all their good work over the past nine years, for a lot of people The Futureheads will always be associated with feisty cover of ‘Hounds Of Love’, a great record but one that brought a slight whiff of novelty along with it. It’s clearly not something that bothers them though, as Rant… sees them

April 18th will see The Dandy Warhols return to Ireland for a show at Vicar Street in Dublin. Coming two days before the release of their eighth album The Machine…, the band are back in action following a break that saw them embark on various side projects. Tickets priced €29.50 are on sale now

This year sees the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic and to mark the event the city of Belfast is hosting a series of events, both historical and cultural. Of particular interest to State readers will be the Titanic Lockdown festival, taking place on 1st / 2nd June at T13 (Urban Sports Park &…

The site of three memorable shows in 2008, Leonard Cohen has announced two shows at the The Royal Hospital Kilmainham for later this year. Touring his Old Ideas… album, Cohen will play seated shows at the outdoor venue on September 11th and 12th. Tickets priced from €79.50 will be available from 9am Friday 30th March