Brian Boyd has an excellent article in today's Irish Times about the new Point/O2 venue. In it, he describes the shift in music income from CD sales back to live performance and gives us an outline of what we can expect from Ireland's first supervenue.

What did the Romans ever do for us? For a start, they showed us how to stage the perfect rock concert. When the Roman Empire was swinging and emperors had to deliver important talks about sacking and pillaging, they found that - in the absence of any form of amplification - the best way to address a large group of people was to herd them into an amphitheatre-shaped space so there'd be a natural echo and resonance.

None of the acts announced for the new venue have excited me greatly. The rumoured Leonard Cohen gig would certainly be something to see, but who knows if that'll go ahead?!

As I've mentioned elsewhere, Irish Beats and Beat 102-103 are up for a couple of gongs at the upcoming Irish Web Awards for Best Podcaster and Best Radio Website respectively. We're up against some stiff competition, but as they say 'tis an honour to be nominated. "They all have lovely bottoms" as a great philosopher of our time once quipped.

Myself and Dan Ruane from Beat along with our much-more significant others will be attending the event in October and look forward to mingling with some more nerdy types.

Best Radio Website - Sponsored by IGOPeople

• Beat 102 103


• Red FM


• All 80s Radio


• RTE 2FM


• Phantom 105.2

Best Podcaster - Sponsored by Irish Mortgage Brokers

• Playlist Mix


• PC Live Radio


• Irish Beats


• Nialler9


• Mum Centric

In the podcasting category, I'm very familiar with Playlist Mix and Nialler9 and they're both well-made interesting programmes. Mine is better though ;)

The tenth night of the 2008 series of the One Take Sessions with KilkennyMusic.com returns this Thursday night and brings four Wexford acts to the stage.

The foursome of Nick Day, Jimi Cullen, Ian Doyle (Chaplin) and Michael Whelan are all previous guests of the 'Sessions and make a return to Kilkenny for the first of two nights of the music series this month.

Nick Day made his Kilkenny debut in Cleere's earlier this year, the UK-born singer songwriter impressing crowds with his powerful vocal style and delicate finger-picking technique.

Jimi Cullen is a man pushing for the record of most appearances at the One Take Sessions. With a politically-charged arsenal of tunes in the bag, Cullen returns to the 'Sessions stage promoting new album 'The Junkyard Poet' for his second appearance of 2008.

Jimi is a solo musician from Gorey, South East Ireland. He has been writing and performing for about three years and has built a good reputation as one of the hardest working musicians in Ireland with over 500 gigs to his credit. Needless to say such hard work is resulting in an increasing number of fans who are moved by his music and his song "On the Street" has surely got to be the anthem for all the homeless people in the world. When he sings that song you can almost touch the emotion he arouses in his listeners.

Ian Doyle, last seen at the 'Sessions in mid 2007 is the frontman for Wexford quintet Chaplin. The band's sound is all encompassing crossing and mixing styles from country, rock, blues, folk and even ambient and dance and Doyle's solo performances replicate those of the full band.

Having released the critically acclaimed Swings And Roundabouts EP and last year's Paint By Numbers, Doyle and Chaplin have enjoyed sharing the stage with Paul Weller, Paul Brady, Jerry Fish, Declan O'Rourke and many more. A technical and talented performer, Ian Doyle has been noted by regular 'Sessions goers as one of the performance highlights since the launch of the series in 2006 and is not to be missed.

Completing the foursome is Michael Whelan who made a welcome return to Kilkenny earlier in the summer. Michael has been writing songs right the way through his teens, eventually recording and performing them as guitar player with long time friend Gordon Barry as half of Buffalo Whitewater. Following their decision to each pursue their own solo interests Michael lazily gigged solo during his early 20's until hangning up his guitar sometime around 2004.

After almost a 3 year break from performing he was convinced by friends in early 2007 to get back to performing on the live circuit, a move which as led to a series of new songs and recordings with 'Walk On' topping the Newscene Radio Unsigned Charts in November 2007.

The first act takes to the stage this Thursday night at 9:30pm with admission free.

KilkennyMusic.com have also announced 14 more details for the One Take Sessions in 2009, commencing from March 12th. Booking for performers wishing to play at the series in 2009 will commence later this month.

Mountain music-makers The Hussars dropped into the studio with a plethora of fine instruments to woo Beat listeners with the infectious tunes. Expect much foot-tapping and table drumming while you listen!

Download MP3 (15MB)

Rob spoke with downloadmusic.ie chief Johnny Beirne about the changing face of music distribution and Ireland first USB album.

Download MP3 (5.7MB)

Ooooo .... I need some music to sooth more sore Sunday head. Tonight we had The Hussars LIVE in studio who were only magic, which was followed by some nice electronica mood music in the second hour. Very nice indeed.

6-7PM
01. Buy It, Sell It - The Blizzards
02. Megaphone Man - Messiah J & The Expert
03. Out of Our Hands - Gemma Hayes
** Interview with John Haggis (Intraveneous Music Festival) **
04. Leeches - Fighting Spiders
05. One Night at My House - Ugly Megan
06. The Ballad - The Hussars
** Interview with The Hussars **
07. Lonely Lifetime - The Hussars (LIVE)
** Interview with The Hussars **
08. You Were a Friend - The Hussars (LIVE)
09. Greatest Thing to Fall - Shane Barry & The Distractions
10. She's Got Class - Jaded Sun

7-8PM
01. Sweet Sweet Kisses - Duke Special
02. A Superman - ODi
03. You Look So Good Tonight - Owen Brady
04. Sad Songs - Ham Sandwich
05. Fall - Armoured Bear
06. I'm Beginning to Think You Prefer Beverly Hills 90210 to Me - Fight Like Apes
07. A Place to Stay - Halfset
08. Discotheque (Hexidecimal mix) - U2
09. What I Ask - David Kitt
10. Mushie Shake - Super Extra Bonus Party
11. She's Got the Lonliest Eyes - Ilya K
12. Nothing Lasts Forever - Jape
13. Grounds for Divorce - Elbow

A beautiful sunkist evening out there, although clouded by the sad news of Paul Newman's passing. Johnny Beirne from downloadmusic.ie and musical legend Luka Bloom were my guests tonight.

6-7PM
01. About You Now - The Saw Doctors
02. Broken Glass - Ham Sandwich
03. Watching the World Go By - Autamata
04. Song For Understanding - Humanzi
05. Let Them All Talk - Deaf Animal Orchestra
06. Human Nature - Alphastates
07. Sweet Sweet Kisses - Duke Special
08. 1981 - The Flaws
** Interview with Johnny Beirne (Downloadmusic.ie) **
09. Pony - Dirty Epics
10. Mr. Pitiful - The Commitments
11. Deadly Buzz - Collie
12. Skyscrapers - Fred

7-8PM
01. Go Radio! - The Radio
02. I Heard Wonders - David Holmes
03. Fall - Armoured Bear
04. Snore Bore Whore - Fight Like Apes
05. I Need Love - Luke Bloom
** Interview with Luka Bloom **
06. I'm On Your Side - Luka Bloom
07. Megaphone Man - Messiah J & The Expert
08. Wake Up - The Infomatics
09. Lay Me Down - The Frames
10. Stop - Jape vs Delorentos
11. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - Burt Bacharach
12. Protection - Massive Attack

The Saw Doctor's have just released their latest single, a cover of the Sugababes' hit 'About You Now' ... and it's feckin' mighty!

Wayhey! Irishbeats.net has been nominated for TWO Irish Web Awards!! This afternoon I checked my email and found the following message:

Congratulations, no you haven't won the European Lottery and no I am not the son of some dead African banker who wants you to make millions, however I do have good news about your website ... (you) have been nominated for the inaugural Moviestar Irish Web Awards and right now (yes this very second!) your site is being looked at by some of the 30 judges that volunteered to do an awful lot of work to give your website(s) a score ...

The two categories we've been nominated in are 'Best Music Blog' and 'Best Podcaster.' I have to say, I'm dead chuffed and (can you sense a cliché coming), it's an honour to be nominated!

During their recent visit to Waterford, I met with Niall 'Bresi' Breslin of Mullingar outfit The Blizzards to talk about their new album 'Domino Effect', the lack of proper frontmen and the effect of illegal downloading on the industry.

He doesn't pull his punches and the podcast features more than a few expletives, so mind those sensitive ears!!

Download MP3 (18.5MB)

It's Sunday evening and I left my brain at home this evening as it needed a rest. Hence the idiotic chatter and bumblings. Despite being mentally challenged, I still managed to play a selection of sizzling songs for the South East.

6-7PM
01. Sunday Song - The Hedge Schools
02. At the Sea - Pugwash
03. Movie Star - Roisin Murphy
04. I'm Beginning to Think You Prefer Beverly Hills 90210 to Me - Fight Like Apes
05. Kick Off - Saving J
06. About You Now - Saw Doctors
07. The Ritual - Republic of Loose
08. Fa Da Da Dee - Guggenheim Grotto
09. Death Song - Fred
10. Don't Forget - Gemma Hayes
11. Outpatients - Sideproject
12. Pony - Dirty Epics
13. Electric Hymn - 79 Cortinaz
14. Watching the World Go By - Autamata
15. Buy It, Sell It - The Blizzards

7-8PM
01. Hello Hello ... Petrol - Something Happens
02. Ambitious Girl - Primrose
03. Country Bumpkin - Wallis Bird
04. One Night at My House - Ugly Megan
05. Chocolate Factory - The Pale
06. Angel - Mark geary
07. Fall - Armoured Bear
08. Ghosts of Overdoses - Damien Dempsey
09. I Think It's Going to Rain Today - Jack L
10. God and the Girl - Carly Sings
11. Dead Record in a Vinyl Desert - Good Tiger
12. Gone Out - Green Lights
13. The Ballad - The Hussars
14. Greatest Thing to Fall - Shane Barry & The Distractions
15. Imprint - The Tycho Brahe

Tonight's mass featured a reading from the book of Fight Like Apes and the gospel according to The Blizzards, with prayers of the faithful delivered by Autamata, Ilya K and The Stunning.

6-7PM
01. Something Global - Fight Like Apes
02. Watching the World Go By - Autamata
03. Borrowed Time - Giveamanakick
04. Binary Love - Hybrasil
05. Keep It All - Lisa Hannigan
06. Take Back the City - Snow Patrol
07. Tie Me Up With Jackets - Fight Like Apes
08. She's Got the Lonliest Eyes - Ilya K
09. Kung Fu - Ash
10. One is Fun - The Aftermath
11. Romeo's On Fire - The Stunning
12. Stop - Shane Barry & The Distractions
13. Not on Your Side - Ian Whitty & The Exchange
14. Grounds for Divorce - Elbow

7-8PM
01. The Steady Song - Republic of Loose
** Interview with Niall Breslin (The Blizzards) **
02. Trust Me I'm a Doctor - The Blizzards
** Interview with Niall Breslin (The Blizzards) **
03. I'm Beginning to Think You Prefer Beverly Hills 90210 to Me - Fight Like Apes
04. Knocked Up - Kings of Leon (Gavin Boyce Remix)
** Interview with Niall Breslin (The Blizzards) **
05. Buy It Sell It - The Blizzards (Ken McHugh Remix)
** Interview with Niall Breslin (The Blizzards) **
06. Miss Fanatsia Preaches - The Blizzards
07. Fall - Armoured Bear
08. I Heard Wonders - David Holmes
09. Snore Bore Whore - Fight Like Apes

After years wandering around in the wilderness of mediocrity, it looks like Metallica have found their way again! I haven't heard their new album 'Death Magnetic' yet, but it's getting savage reviews from all the right people. After seeing this performance on Jools Holland, I'll definitely be picking up a copy at the weekend.

The stink of St. Anger is being washed away ....

(It really kicks in around the 3.20 mark. Oh Kirk Hammett, you have such fluid fingers!)

Shane Barry and Rob chewed the fat on being a solo artist vs a band member, recording a magnum opus and the relative merits of Girls Aloud.

Features an acoustic performance of 'Strange Hours', complete with drums, brass section and good vibes.

Download MP3 (13.9MB)

Shane Barry & The Distractions were my guests on this evening's show. Miserable weather outside so the music I played tonight seemed the aural equivalent of curling up in front of the fire and drinking a hot mug of tea. Or whatever .... analogies aren't my strong suit ...

6-7PM
01. She's Got the Lonliest Eyes - Ilya K
02. Kaleidoscope - Dave Geraghty
03. Watching the World Go By - Autamata
04. Up to You - David Kitt
05. If You Want Me - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
06. The Ritual - Republic of Loose
07. Stop - Shane Barry & The Distractions
** Interview with Shane Barry & The Distractions **
08. A Man Called Gerald - Shane Barry & The Distractions
** Interview with Shane Barry & The Distractions **
09. Strange Hours - Shane Barry & the Distractions **LIVE**
10. Not On Your Side - Ian Whitty
11. Trust Me I'm a Doctor - The Blizzards

7-8PM
01. Jake Summers - Fight Like Apes
02. Keep It All - Lisa Hannigan
03. Closed Doors - One Day International
04. Arrows - Goodtime John
05. Hurry Up Or The Wind Will Catch Us - Kill Krinkle Klub
06. Wake Up Scarlett - Duke Special
07. Outpatients - Sideproject
08. I'm Gonna Be - Nicole Maguire
09. Breadcrumb Trail - Chaplin
10. Endless Art - A House
11. Fee Da Da Dee - Guggenhim Grotto
12. Only Shallow - My Bloody Valentine
13. I Don't Like Mondays - The Boomtown Rats

Peter Kirn over at Create Digital Music has a very interesting article on health of album art in this digital age. With physical sales in decline and the rise of downloads, is the album cover aesthetic dead? Kirn certainly think it's alive and kicking:

"Album art can be beautiful, whatever the recording medium. It can reflect great design, and extend the expression of the album itself (well, and it helps if the album is great)."

I agree 100%. When you see the effort the likes of Ilya K put into creating their album (not just the songs, but the overall presentation), it's plainly obvious that visual art still matters in music. There's life in the old girl yet!!

Full article

Here's a condensed version of last Saturday's First Cuts Rock Clinic special from the Wexford Arts Centre. As I've mentioned elsewhere, the day was constructed so that a number of musical acts could get a free consultancy session with a panel of industry professionals. On the show, the panel members and bands gave us plenty of insight into the day's events and dispensed more than a few nuggets of wisdom.

The podcast is roughly 30 minutes long and I would consider it essential listening for any band seeking to gain greater interaction with "the music business." It includes discussions on the following topics:

• IMRO, IRMA, RAAP & PPI explained


• Do I need a Manager?


• How do I make money?


• The importance of planning


• How to go about getting press coverage

Thanks to everyone at Hotpress, the Wexford Arts Centre and Beat 102-103 for organising the event and special mentions to the panel: Jackie Hayden, Johnny Lappin, Senan O'Reilly, Clive Barnes, Pat Jackman and Ian Doyle. I'd thank myself too, but that's just not cricket.

Download MP3 (79MB)

Lots of new releases tonight, including David Homes, Lisa Hannigan, Snow Patrol and the Blizzards. My favourite is 'Watching the World Go By' by Autamata taken from the excellent EXCELLENT album 'Colours of Sound.' If you haven't already done so, go off and buy a copy. This isn't a suggestion, it's an order!

6-7PM
01. I Heard Wonders - David Holmes
02. Jake Summer - Fight Like Apes
03. Trust Me, I'm a Doctor - The Blizzards
04. Mission to the Sun - Revolution for Dogs
05. Give It a Chance - Floyd Soul & The Wolf
06. Moving - Cathy Davey
07. Enough is Enough - Myp Et Jeep
** Interview with Myp Et Jeep **
08. Beware of Sound - Myp Et Jeep
** Interview with Myp Et Jeep **
09. Plan B - Myp Et Jeep **LIVE**
10. Country Bumpkin - Wallis Bird
11. Party On - Damien Dempsey
12. Watching the World Go By - Autamata

7-8PM
01. Stop - Shane Barry & The Distractions
02. She's Got the Lonliest Eyes - Ilya K
03. Running - Fred
04. Grace Under Pressure - Elbow feat Cathy Davey
05. Take Back the City - Snow Patrol
06. Lille - Lisa Hannigan
** Interview with Robotnik **
07. I Met Jesus in the Year 2027 - Robotnik
08. One is Fun - The Aftermath
09. Fee Da Da Dee - Guggenheim Grotto
10. Cry Baby - Roisin Murphy
11. Leeches - Fighting Spiders
12. Stop - Jape vs Delorentos

Fight Like Apes have rescheduled some of the dates on their forthcoming Irish dates, and will be returning to the UK as special guests of The Ting Tings on their imminent sold out national tour. This is a huge coup for the band, which should significantly raise their profile across the pond.

The Fight Like Apes' Dublin show at Whelans remains on Friday September 26th, to coincide with the Irish release of their debut album - 'Fight Like Apes And The Mystery Of The Golden Medallion' on Model Citizen Records. The rescheduled Irish dates are as follows:

Sun 12th October Cork - Cyprus Avenue
Mon 13th October Galway - Roisin Dubh
Tue 14th October Limerick - Dolans Warehouse
Fri 17th October Mullingar - The Stables
Sun 19th October Dundalk - Spirit Store

Tickets already purchased are valid for the new dates. The Waterford Electric Avenue show scheduled for October 10th has been postponed until a new date can be announced. Let's hope it's soon, as it's the only date in the South East they're likely to do!

The Manchester quintet Elbow were last night presented with the Mercury Music Prize for their album 'The Seldom Seen Kid'. As a die-hard Elbow fan, I'm delighted with this result and would like to thank the Academy for their decision, especially after a few questionable results in the past (Klaxons, I'm looking at you!)

Upon receiving the award, singer Guy Garvey said: "It just feels great, very unexpected. You could look at it in the same way as certain Bedouin tribes look at a bowl of milk. Something that doesn't occur very often, but tastes all the sweeter for that."

The first time I heard Elbow was lying on the grass outside Dougie's Backpackers in Port Douglas, Queensland when a friend handed me 'Asleep in the Back' and told me I MUST listen to it. Upon hearing the opening mantra of "Any day now hows about getting out of this place. Any ways. Got a lot of spare time. Some of my youth and all of my senses on overdrive" I was completely hooked and have been ever since.

Seldom Seen Kid is deadly, but I still believe that 'Leaders of the Free World' is their best work. I realise this has nothing to do with Irish music, but we're not xenophobes here ...

The wonderful people in the BBC have posted last night's Elbow performance online, which I'm more than happy to embed here.

Lyrically poetic and delicately decadent, Duke Special the enigmatic Belfast performer will release his new single 'Sweet Sweet Kisses' on October 10th 2008. A nationwide tour has also been announced for November and December 2008.

Taken from the eagerly anticipated new album I Never Thought This Day Would Come, releasing on October 17th, 'Sweet Sweet Kisses' is produced by Paul Wilkinson, who worked on the Duke's previous Choice nominated album Songs From The Deep Forest. The perfect taster for the new album release, 'Sweet Sweet Kisses' features the RTE National Symphony Orchestra and will be available on CD single and download.

The new album features 12 new tracks, including the Bernard Butler produced 'Those Proverbs We Made In The Winter' and the live-favourite 'Diggin' An Early Grave'. The album is an elaborate collection of themes and styles, recorded in several very different locations - Champaign in Illinois, Cullybackey in Antrim and Wapping in London. The album was mixed by Nick Terry, best known for his work with Libertines and The Klaxons.

The album release will be followed by a nationwide tour in November and December taking in Waterford, Carlow, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Sligo, Castlebar, Galway, Belfast and Derry. The tour will feature a seven-piece band, comprised of Duke Special comrades, old and new.

The live bandwagon hits venues across Ireland on the following dates:

• Thursday 20 November, Electric Avenue, Waterford


• Friday 21 November, Electric Avenue, Waterford


• Saturday 22 November, Dinn Ri, Carlow


• Sunday 23 November, An Tain Theatre, Dundalk


• Monday 24 November, An Grianan, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal


• Tuesday 25 November, The Olympia Theatre, Dublin


• Wednesday 26 November, Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick


• Friday 28 November, The Opera House, Cork


• Saturday 29 November, Clarence, Sligo


• Sunday 30 November, The Royal Theatre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo


• Monday 1 December, Black Box, Galway


• Tuesday 2 December, St. George's Market, Belfast


• Wednesday 3 December, The Nerve Centre, Derry

See you down the front for the Electric Avenue gigs.

The One Take Sessions return this Thursday to Cleere's theatre in Kilkenny having taken a mid-season break for the month of August. This time around, the tri-weekly music series features Callan guitarist Peter Brabazon, Dun Laoighare resident Hamlet Sweeney (pictured) and Carlow's Joe Cleere.

Described as having "Very catchy, melodic songs that will have you hooked", Hamlet Sweeney is yet another Irish act making their One Take Sessions debut on the Cleere's stage.

Speaking about his influences, he said "I am most influenced by the people I meet but in reality there is nothing that I do, see, feel touch or hear that doesn't influence me. But that's kind of a cop out, isn't it? The way I look at it all types of music have their place and if that's where you are that's what you want to hear. From legato classical to banging techno to beautiful songs. It's all good lads, it's all good."

Winner of the 2006 2FM National Song Contest, Joe Cleere makes his second appearance at this year's 'Sessions series, bringing with him recently released single 'Queue'.

The One Take Sessions continue to the end of the year with just four dates remaining between October 2nd and December 4th. The final One Take Sessions of the year will see the welcome return of four acts selected over the course of the 2008 series. According to KilkennyMusic.com, demand has been so high for this year's series that bookings for 2009 (March to December) will open in October in order to facilitate the number of requests for coveted performance slots.

The proceedings will begin in Cleere's at 9:30pm on Thursday night. Admission as always is free and full details can be found by visiting OneTakeSessions.com or KilkennyMusic.com.

I spent last Saturday in the Wexford Arts Centre, sitting in on the Hotpress First Cuts' Rock Clinic. Eight musical acts from the South East were selected for mentoring sessions with a number of industry professionals, to learn a bit more about the business we call music. All in all it was a great day and I think the groups got a lot out of it. I certainly did!

Anyway, that night we did the show live from the Arts Centre. I can't remember offhand what music I played, but I'll do my best to publish a playlist over the coming days. I'll also edit together a podcast with contributions from the panel members including Hotpress' Jackie Hayden, music impresario Pat Jackman, Chaplin's Ian Doyle and guitar-picker Clive Barnes.

Katie Kim was in on Sunday while I was up in Croke Park engaging in a group depression session. Here's what she played.

fight like apes / jake summers
fred / running
hybrasil / getchoo
bell x1 / reacharound
ham sandwich / never talk
giveamanakick / aquaplanning
robotnik / lazyboy
the funeral suits / black lemonade
cowboy x / who are these people
fighting spiders / leeches
roisin murphy / movie star
jape / nothing lasts forever
kill kringle club / hurry or the wind will catch us
saviours of space / december
delorentos / neon
david kitt / up to you
caruso / all your features
dae kim / postcard
channel one / beneath a field of steel
lisa hannigan / lille
foy vance / be with me
dali / think before you think
the joker / overdose of ghosts (i played this without listening to it cause somebody asked for it ....HARSH!!)
cars in walls / back to back
autamata / what you all about
deaf animal orchestra / let them all talk
kings of leon / knocked (gavin boyce remix)

I has de jitter bai ....