February 6th isn’t that far away so we suggest you get yourself together double quick for the Irish debut of US rapper Azealia Banks. The venue in question is the comparatively intimate Whelan’s so it’s highly likely that when tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 9am they’ll be snapped up. Banks was just voted…

It seems a long time ago now, but in reality it was only just before Christmas that our annual Midnight Mass took place at the Mercantile in Dublin. And a splendid night it was too – featuring some breakneck rock ‘n’ roll from The Pacifics, dark synth sounds from our overseas guests Kool Thing, an…

His Irish dates late last year was a stormer by all accounts, so it’s perhaps no surprise to discover that Scroobius Pip will be back this way in 2012. Brought to us once more by the good people at Harmonic, Pip and his live band play the Button Factory on March 9th.…

Fans of alternative hip-hop are in for a treat with the news that New Yorkers Das Racist are to pay a visit to Dublin in the Spring. The trio play Whelan’s on March 15th. Tickets priced €16.50 are on sale now.…

T’was the night before the night before Christmas and time for this year’s State Midnight Mass. Tonight will see six bands playing live at the Mercantile in Dublin. Entry is free but it’s all in aid of War Child Ireland so please make sure you seek out their stand and make a healthy donation.
The…

After a successful launch this summer, the Forbidden Fruit festival is set to return in expanded form in 2012. Again held at Dublin’s IMMA over the June Bank Holiday weekend, but now also including the Monday, the event on 2nd, 3rd & 4th will feature five stages – including a new comedy arena. Ticket and…

Obviously celebrating the fact that he had just topped our albums of 2011 poll, overnight saw the release of the third mixtape from The Weeknd. Echoes Of Silence… features nine tracks, including a cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Dirty Diana’. Download it from his website, sit back and watch the Internet explode.

So here we are, the top ten albums of the year – as voted for by the State team. As ever, it’s been a fascinating list (especially when you compare it to our mid-year poll). Some of the albums you might have expected to feature highly haven’t even made the list, with other, more left…

MCD Promotions have confirmed that the Oxegen festival will not be taking place in 2012, instead taking a year’s break. A statement from head of press Justin Green says that “Oxegen, like Glastonbury, is taking a year off in 2012 and will be back July 2013. Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas & peaceful New…

The continuing downward slide of the traditional music industry has been thrown into further focus with the news that the last major retailer left in the market is facing yet more financial trouble. HMV has declared losses of £36.4m in the past six months, down 17.6% on last year’s already dismal figures.
The company has…

This Friday night sees the annual State Midnight Mass at The Mercantile, our traditional musical offering to celebrate the festive season. Having already put together a bill featuring little xs for eyes, Bitches With Wolves, Come On Live Long, Kool Thing and The Pacifics, we’re delighted to announce that Toby Kaar will be joining us…

Welcome back to our countdown of 2011′s best albums, voted for by various State writers and photographers. Today we have a couple of debuts, a couple of legends stretching their wings and a couple of the year’s most impressive Irish releases. More tomorrow.

Albums of 2011: 75-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 …

With their second album Reign Of Terror die for release in the New Year, Sleigh Bells will follow it up with a live date at the Academy in Dublin on February 27th. Tickets are on sale now.
Here’s the band’s new song ‘Born to Die’:

Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror from Mom+Pop on Vimeo.…

Having so far remained a shadowy concept, WU LYF head out to meet their people next year with an international tour that will include their debut Irish show at Whelan’s on March 19th, as well as dates in Europe and the US.
The full itinerary looks like this:
February
28th Atlas (Voxhall), Aarhus, Denmark
29th…