Scene and Heard

GIG WISE: You may have missed the news released just before Christmas that Longitude will return to Marlay Park in Dublin on Jul 18-20, with confirmed acts including Disclosure and Ben Howard.

Further details will be released in the coming weeks, with tickets going on sale on Jan 31. The National’s return to Ireland will be another biggie this summer, with gigs lined up at the Marquee in Cork on Jul 14, as well as Iveagh Gardens in Dublin on Jul 18-19. Also playing at Iveagh Gardens will be local heroes Little Green Cars on Jul 12. Interestingly, there seems to be a spirit of détente between some of the big Irish promoters, with several bands entering performing shows for both MCD and Aiken during the summer. Among them are Biffy Clyro, booked for Aiken’s Marquee in Cork on Jun 27, and MCD’s gig at Kilmainham on Jun 28. Sharon Shannon brings her big band to the Savoy in Cork on Monday, complete with Shane MacGowan and Mundy, while Norther rockers the Answer have been confirmed for Cyprus Avenue on Mar 23. Hozier play the Theatre Royal in Waterford next Friday.

MUSIC NEWS: The Official Charts Company in the UK has released its figures for the biggest-selling album of 2013 and no surprises for guessing it’s topped by One Direction’s Midnight Memories. That was followed by Emeli Sande’s Our Version Of Events.