Wednesday 15 March 2017

Gig Review: The Weeknd @ First Direct Arena, Leeds

Undoubtedly one of the biggest artists on the planet at the moment, and definitely one of the most high-profile gigs I've reviewed here on View From the Stalls.

The Weeknd absolutely smashed it in Leeds on Tuesday night - from the lighting and effects to stage presence and vocals, the entire show was incredible.

In a sold out venue, packed to the rafters with 13,500 people, he played tunes from his new album as well as a few older classics such as The Hills, Often, Earned It and I Cant Feel My Face!

Obvious crowd-pleasers were tunes such as I Feel It Coming, Party Monster and Starboy amongst others!

One thing that I found great about his show was the fact that he just let the music do the talking. Sometimes artists spend far too much time on stage talking and not enough time performing. He kept hitting out song after song after song and I reckon he easily played over 20 tracks in a 90 minute set!

The stage was insane too! The fact that it came right out into the crowd meant that he spent the majority of the show in the crowd and had the feel of an intimate gig despite being in a massive arena.

The gig in Leeds was the final show of the European leg of his tour and he now has his mind set on the North American leg over the next couple of months before performing at a number of festivals across the globe, including Longitude in Ireland!





Thursday 9 March 2017

Intimate and Unique Gig In Naas This Friday Night.

Last year saw the introduction of the Shortgrass Sessions by Naas based record label Downda Road Productions. Artists such as Davie Furey, The Mariannes, Underhill Rose and Keith Plunkett amongst a host of others made an appearance in venues around the town.

Friday night, however, is a slightly different Shortgrass Session, and when I say different, I mean unique.

As I'm sure you will be well aware by now, it's International Women's Week, and to celebrate that, Maria Kelly, Saoirse Casey and Zara Duffin will be performing 'in the round' at McAuley Place on the Sallins Road in Naas.

I have seen each of these musicians play individually, but not all on the same stage and I can only imagine it will be a cracking show.

Tickets are €12 and more information can be found on www.downdaroad.com

But we have teamed up with the guys from Downda Road and have two tickets to give away! Check out their Facebook page or send us a message for more details on how you can get your hands on a pair!

Wednesday 8 March 2017

Keith Plunkett Releases Music Video For "100 Cracks"

This guy has certainly been busy over the past number of weeks. Fresh from a hugely successful tour of Ireland to celebrate the launch of his new single "100 Cracks", Keith Plunkett has now released the official music video for the track in the last 24 hours.

The video is almost like a tour diary, including clips from shows, people he met and venues he performed at along the way.

As we have mentioned previously here on View From the Stalls, Keith will now be focusing on the release of his second studio EP which he hopes to bring out later on this year, and no doubt we will be sure to feature it.

But in the mean time, check out the "100 Cracks" music video below, it's a gem!



Saturday 4 March 2017

Interskalactic Announce EP Release Date and Irish Tour

I remember seeing these guys perform live at a festival in Leixlip last year and just being in complete awe of what they did. Although it wouldn't typically be my type of music, I would have to agree with Ryan Tubridy when he says that Interskalactic are the "future of ska in Ireland".

The band are set to release their forthcoming EP on the 31st of March before setting off to play a host of pre-summer shows throughout Ireland.

Their upbeat set features covers from classic ska artists including Prince Buster, The Skatalites and Byron Lee and The Dragonaires, their own ska-ified versions of popular hits from the last few decades, and now also their own music - this upcoming EP features five new and original big band ska tracks.

Although this will be their debut EP, the guys have a huge amount of experience behind them. Playing at festivals up and down the country as well as some iconic venues such as Vicar Street, The Workman's Club and Whelan's.

2017 TOUR DATES

01 Apr - 5th on Teeling, Sligo
08 Apr - Whelan's, Dublin
15 Apr - Monroe's, Galway
27 Apr - Harbour Bar, Dublin
05 May - Cathedral Quarter Arts, Belfast
06 May - Crane Lane, Cork
26 May - Dolan's, Limerick
27 May - Live on Air, Sligo
04 June - Halfway Skafest, Wexford



Thursday 2 March 2017

REWS Finish Tour in Ireland This Week

Exciting Irish/London female alt-rock duo REWS have signed to Marshall Records, the label set up by the iconic amp manufacturer, and play 4 Irish dates this week, bringing their extensive tour to a close.

Marshall Records have booked the band straight into the legendary Abbey Road Studios to start recording their much anticipated debut album!

They have already played in some great venues across the UK and just last night they performed in the iconic Whelan's in Dublin. Tonight, they take to the stage in Voodoo, Belfast, before playing in the Nerve Centre in Derry on Friday night and finishing up in the Barrow Lodge in Portarlington.

No doubt you'll be hearing a lot more about these guys in the future and we'll be keeping a close eye on them here at View From the Stalls.

Check out their recent single 'Miss You in the Dark' below!



Dan Owen Includes Ireland on Spring Tour

As he said himself, English singer/songwriter Dan Owen is heading off on "the world's largest pub crawl". He'll be playing 33 gigs over the next couple of months and the good news for Irish fans is that he'll be stopping off for five dates here!

You may remember that due to illness, Owen had to cancel his tour in December but he vows to come back better than ever and even owes fans a Guinness!

We've been keeping an eye on this artist for quite a while here on View From the Stalls and no doubt he'll be back in Ireland quite regularly playing even bigger venues, but for the time being, check out his upcoming dates in May below!

09 May - McHugh's, Belfast
10 May - Grand Social, Dublin
12 May - The Loft, Galway
13 May - Dolan's, Limerick
14 May - Cyprus Avenue, Cork