Thursday 22 December 2016
James Arthur Makes Comeback Birmingham Gig One To Remember!
I had the absolute pleasure of flying over to Birmingham from Dublin on Wednesday night to witness a revitalised James Arthur play a sold out gig in the O2 Institute.
I reckon this year alone, I went to over 50 gigs, and I can say with my hand on my heart that this gig would definitely be in my top 3 for 2016 - he absolutely smashed it!
It's been well-documented about James' personal struggles with addiction but I think that is what made his new album that little bit special. 'Back From The Edge' deals with those problems and comes straight from the heart, and I have to say, seeing those tracks performed live, with so much meaning and emotion is sensational.
The gig itself lasted the guts of two hours as he performed close to 20 songs, old and new, and the crowd held on to every single word, with of course 'Impossible', 'Recovery' and 'Say You Wont Let Go' being particular favourites!
Next year promises to be just as busy for the X Factor winner as he heads off on another UK Tour in March which is pretty much sold out! He's also releasing the music video for his newest single 'Safe Inside' on Christmas Day, so make sure you keep an eye out for that!
Sunday 11 December 2016
Craig Gallagher Releases New Track and Announces Dublin Show
Sit up and take note of this guy. I've been harping on and on about his music over the last year or so, but I genuinely think he has the ability to make it big!
Being good friends with Gavin James has also resulted in Craig getting some great exposure as a support act, most notably at the 3 Arena on Friday night where his set went down really really well with all those in attendance.
Friday was also a significant day for Gallagher because he released his track "Stay" on Spotify and iTunes etc, and I have to say, it sounds incredible and I'm looking forward to giving it a few spins on my radio show in the New Year.
Following on from that, he also announced that he will be playing his very own headline show at the iconic Dublin venue, Whelan's, next February 17th. After that, he'll be travelling over to Amsterdam, where he has quite a big following and will headline the Paradiso on the 13th March.
Keep an eye out for this guy in 2017 because I honestly feel like things might just take off! I already mentioned his new track and make sure you check that out! But here's another little taster of his music!
Being good friends with Gavin James has also resulted in Craig getting some great exposure as a support act, most notably at the 3 Arena on Friday night where his set went down really really well with all those in attendance.
Friday was also a significant day for Gallagher because he released his track "Stay" on Spotify and iTunes etc, and I have to say, it sounds incredible and I'm looking forward to giving it a few spins on my radio show in the New Year.
Following on from that, he also announced that he will be playing his very own headline show at the iconic Dublin venue, Whelan's, next February 17th. After that, he'll be travelling over to Amsterdam, where he has quite a big following and will headline the Paradiso on the 13th March.
Keep an eye out for this guy in 2017 because I honestly feel like things might just take off! I already mentioned his new track and make sure you check that out! But here's another little taster of his music!
Saturday 3 December 2016
Gig Review/Interview with Janet Devlin
Gig Review/Interview with Janet Devlin
I had the absolute pleasure of travelling over to The Cluny2 in Newcastle over the weekend to catch up with Irish singer/songwriter Janet Devlin and review her gig in The Toooon!
I must admit that I've always liked the way Janet goes about her music. She's an independent artist and although funding may be an issue, it gives her a licence to be as creative as she pleases! She's currently on a UK Tour and she admits that she's delighted to be back on the road.
"It's been intense! I'm absolutely knackered but it's been so worth it, I sometimes forget gigging is part of my job because I'm so used to just writing music and recording music. Performing live, for me, is the hardest part especially in intimate venues because I'm still quite a shy person but meeting people after the shows and listening to how happy my music makes them, makes it all worthwhile for me!"
Janet mentioned intimate venues, and I'd imagine The Cluny2 in Newcastle had a capacity of around 200, which was close to full last weekend and having experience playing in bigger venues, she agreed that there is something special about intimate shows.
"I've played in arenas and stuff and it's a totally different experience because it's so de-personalised, you can't see anybody, whereas tonight, I could see everybody, if someone laughed or coughed I could hear it, and that for me, is special!"
A couple of months ago, Devlin released a cracking new tune called 'Outernet Song', which we have featured before on the blog, and while it is a catchy, upbeat track, it also deals with quite a number of serious issues that we presently have in society.
"I started writing that song about three years ago, and earlier this year it kind of re-entered my head and I added a few things to it and decided then to release it. Because it was written over the course of three years, there is quite a lot in it. It talks about me, what people have said to me, the internet and trying to get off the internet, but it means a lot to me and I'm glad the response has been so positive!"
Devlin aaalso released a new Christmas EP called 'Little Lights' and I would urge you to check it out on Spotify and iTunes etc. because there are a few little gems on that track!
"I brought out December Daze last year and when I listened back I realised that I kind of left a few things out, and I think Christmas time just combines so many emotions at once and I wanted to get that across in Little Lights. There's no one solid mood in the EP like the song Wake Up is truly depressing and it ends on Christmas Kiss which is just about walking into a pub in Ireland during the festive season!"
Although she now lives in the UK, Ireland will always be Janet's home and she caps off her tour with two shows up North, in Belfast and Omagh and understandably she can't wait!
"Playing at home is very different because number one, you hear familiar accents and that's a pleasant surprise and two, especially when I play in Omagh, it's weird because I see all my friends and family and that can be really scary but it's a good way to end the tour because it makes me push myself as a performer, like, performing in front of people you know is the hardest thing. But I'm looking forward to it."
Janet just has the six following dates left on her Opium Tour:
04 Dec - Convent, Gloucester
08 Dec - Union Chapel, London
09 Dec - Deaf Institute, Manchester
10 Dec - Platform, Lincoln
14 Dec - The Empire Music Hall, Belfast
16 Dec - Strule Art Centre, Omagh
Her show in Newcastle was one of the best gigs I have been to over the last couple of months. She has the ability to silence a room solely with her voice, and that to me, is an incredibly difficult thing to do. 2017 promises to be an exciting year for the Independent artist and we will no doubt keep a close eye on her here at View From The Stalls.
"It's been intense! I'm absolutely knackered but it's been so worth it, I sometimes forget gigging is part of my job because I'm so used to just writing music and recording music. Performing live, for me, is the hardest part especially in intimate venues because I'm still quite a shy person but meeting people after the shows and listening to how happy my music makes them, makes it all worthwhile for me!"
Janet mentioned intimate venues, and I'd imagine The Cluny2 in Newcastle had a capacity of around 200, which was close to full last weekend and having experience playing in bigger venues, she agreed that there is something special about intimate shows.
"I've played in arenas and stuff and it's a totally different experience because it's so de-personalised, you can't see anybody, whereas tonight, I could see everybody, if someone laughed or coughed I could hear it, and that for me, is special!"
A couple of months ago, Devlin released a cracking new tune called 'Outernet Song', which we have featured before on the blog, and while it is a catchy, upbeat track, it also deals with quite a number of serious issues that we presently have in society.
"I started writing that song about three years ago, and earlier this year it kind of re-entered my head and I added a few things to it and decided then to release it. Because it was written over the course of three years, there is quite a lot in it. It talks about me, what people have said to me, the internet and trying to get off the internet, but it means a lot to me and I'm glad the response has been so positive!"
Devlin aaalso released a new Christmas EP called 'Little Lights' and I would urge you to check it out on Spotify and iTunes etc. because there are a few little gems on that track!
"I brought out December Daze last year and when I listened back I realised that I kind of left a few things out, and I think Christmas time just combines so many emotions at once and I wanted to get that across in Little Lights. There's no one solid mood in the EP like the song Wake Up is truly depressing and it ends on Christmas Kiss which is just about walking into a pub in Ireland during the festive season!"
Although she now lives in the UK, Ireland will always be Janet's home and she caps off her tour with two shows up North, in Belfast and Omagh and understandably she can't wait!
"Playing at home is very different because number one, you hear familiar accents and that's a pleasant surprise and two, especially when I play in Omagh, it's weird because I see all my friends and family and that can be really scary but it's a good way to end the tour because it makes me push myself as a performer, like, performing in front of people you know is the hardest thing. But I'm looking forward to it."
Janet just has the six following dates left on her Opium Tour:
04 Dec - Convent, Gloucester
08 Dec - Union Chapel, London
09 Dec - Deaf Institute, Manchester
10 Dec - Platform, Lincoln
14 Dec - The Empire Music Hall, Belfast
16 Dec - Strule Art Centre, Omagh
Her show in Newcastle was one of the best gigs I have been to over the last couple of months. She has the ability to silence a room solely with her voice, and that to me, is an incredibly difficult thing to do. 2017 promises to be an exciting year for the Independent artist and we will no doubt keep a close eye on her here at View From The Stalls.
Thursday 1 December 2016
Picture This Release Christmas Song
Irish Sensations Reveal New Track "This Christmas"
I'm honestly running out of time and space on my blog to keep up to date with what these fellas are doing!
Let's recap quickly shall we? In the last couple of weeks, they have finished up their SOLD OUT UK & Irish Tour, they've released details of their 2017 tour, they're gearing up to play the RTE 2FM charity gig in the 3 Arena this weekend, they've played a surprise gig at the Ruby Sessions in Doyle's Pub and now they have just released their Christmas track "This Christmas".
The track was actually brought out last year and was one of the first songs I ever played on KFM Radio from the lads, but this time it's a much bigger production with an incredible choir providing backing vocals!
You may recall I wrote a blog post back in January saying that Picture This were one to watch in the Irish music industry for 2016. I predict they are the ones to watch INTERNATIONALLY for 2017. Mark my words.
In the meantime, check out the latest track below, you'll be hearing it a lot on your radio this month!
The Japanese House Announces UK & European Tour
Rising Star Reveals Tour Dates In UK & Europe Next Year
I would have to say I would be lying if I told you that Amber Bain aka The Japenese House isn't my guilty pleasure; I absolutely love her music!
In recent times she has supported The 1975 on numerous occasions and has always received an exceptional response from fans wherever she has played. That said, she is more than capable of selling out venues when it comes to her own headline shows and that is particularly evident on her current US Tour where the majority of her gigs were sellouts!
The news of her UK & European Tour emerged yesterday afternoon and was met with great excitement on social media. You can check out the full tour dates below and also have a listen to her amazing track "Face Like Thunder".
Thus far, no date for Ireland has been announced which means I shall be travelling once again to review her gig - Hamburg is looking promising!
The Japanese House UK & European Tour Dates
24 Apr - John Dee, Oslo
25 Apr - Lilla Hotellbaren, Stockholm
26 Apr - Vega Jr, Copenhagen
28 Apr - Supersonic, Paris
29 Apr - Trix, Antwerp
02 May - Prinzenbar, Hamburg
03 May - Kantine, Berlin
05 May - Chapeau Rouge, Prague
06 May - Chelsea, Vienna
07 May - Papiersaal, Zurich
09 May - Academy 2, Oxford
10 May - Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
11 May - Gorilla, Manchester
12 May - Academy 2, Leicester
13 May - O2 Institute 2, Birmingham
15 May - Think Tank, Newcastle
16 May - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
17 May - KOKO, London
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