Mon, 19/12/11 - HMV Irish retail future in doubt due to heavy losses

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…

Mon, 19/12/11 - Toby Kaar completes State’s Midnight Mass bill

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…

Mon, 19/12/11 - Watch Arcade Fire’s interactive video for ‘Sprawl II’ (and a regular one too)

Arcade Fire debuted two versions of a music video for the standout track from The Suburbs album, ‘Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)’. The first version is traditional while the second one (available at http://www.sprawl2.com) allows you to control the action by dancing and moving via your webcam. Both versions were directed by Vincent Morisset.
Introduction…

Fri, 16/12/11 - Sleigh Bells announced for Academy Date, hear the new song ‘Born to Die’

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.…

Fri, 16/12/11 - The Stone Roses to play Phoenix Park next summer

Newly reformed, Madchester forebears The Stone Roses have announced a headline show at Dublin’s Phoenix Park as part of their 2012 Reunion Tour.
Having not played together in 16 years, Ian, John, Mani and Reni will play the outdoor gig on Thursday, 5th of July next year.
Tickets purchases are limited to 6 per person.…

Wed, 14/12/11 - Watch Lana Del Rey’s – ‘Born To Die’ video

The latest chapter in the Lana Del Rey story is the release of the music video for second single ‘Born To Die’ (released on January 23rd with the album of the same name the following week). Directed by promising artist and director Yoann Lemoine aka Woodkid, the video sees Lana hanging on a throne with…

Wed, 14/12/11 - Watch Button Factory gigs on live stream this week

If you can’t make it down to The Button Factory this week for the Richter Collective Chrimbo party on Friday and O Emperor on Saturday and are stuck at home, you can still tune worldwide in thanks to AerTV.
Fri Dec 16th: Richter Collective Xmas Party: BATS , Squarehead, Logikparty, Hands up who wants to…

Wed, 14/12/11 - WU LYF to make Irish debut

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…

Wed, 14/12/11 - Video: Fred – Somewhere Else

Keeping their association with the Canadian music scene, the new video from Fred is the product of Toronto based animator Leo Kavanagh – who gives the track ‘Somewhere Else’ from their fine Leaving My Empire… album a festive visual feel. The band play Triskel Christchurch, Cork on 22nd December and Mixtape NYE, Vicar Street on

Wed, 14/12/11 - Sample the Amnesty International Dylan tribute

Fans of the Bob Dylan cover version are in for a treat next month with the release of Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International…, the slightly awkwardly titled four disc tribute album. Featuring a variety of artists from Queens Of The Stone Age to Adele, you

Wed, 14/12/11 - Noel Gallagher to support Red Hot Chili Peppers

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will be play support for Red Hot Chili Peppers when they play Dublin next June.
Red Hot Chili Pepper are playing Croke Park as on the 26th of June, 2012 as part of their statdium tour of Europe.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will also play a sold out arena…

Wed, 14/12/11 - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers announce first European tour in 20 years

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers will tour Europe next year for the first time in 20 years.
The tour includes a headline slot at the Isle of Wight Festival on June 22nd of next year plus The O2, Dublin on June 7th and The Marquee in Cork on 8th.
Tickets for The O2 are priced…

Tue, 13/12/11 - Underworld announced as music directors for 2012 Olympics Opening ceremony

Underworld have been announced as Music Directors for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games .
Underworld’s Rick Smith and Karl Hyde join artist director Danny Boyle for the event for a three-hour ceremony on July 27th. Both have worked together on music Boyle’s films in the past such as Trainspotting, A Life …

Tue, 13/12/11 - Drake to kick off European tour in Dublin

Drake will kick off his European tour in Dublin on Saturday March 24th in The O2. The Club Paradise Tour will then go on to the UK, mainland Europe, Scandinavia and back to English dates in April. Full dates below.
Drake will be promoting his recently released second album Take Care… (read State’s favourable review).