Scene and Heard
The Other Voices festival takes place in Derry this weekend, with the three nights featuring such acts as the Gloaming, Public Service Broadcasting and Little Matador. Meanwhile, Bono has been appearing on BBC radio over on the mainland to talk about U2’s upcoming album. He told Zane Lowe that ‘Insecurity’ was just a working title and the record will have a different name when it comes out on a yet-to-be-specified date. Bono also said the album would reflect some of the influences from the band’s early years, and mentioned such luminaries as the Ramones and Kraftwerk. The Cure would also have emerged around the same era as the Dublin band, and they’re also promising a new album in the next few months, accompanied by a tour. Finally, Imelda May has announced a new album for June of this year.
Apart from Garth Brooks’ fifth gig at Croke Park, the announcement that set our stetsons a-twitchin’ over the past few days was the Kings Of Leon for Marley Park on Friday, July 4. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at €61.50 plus booking fee, with local heroes Kodaline providing support. While he may not have the box office appeal of Brooks or the Followill clan, Kurt Vile does command mucho respecto, and with his April 7 appearance at Whelan’s in Dublin sold out, he has added an extra date on the following night. Ennio Morricone is to return to Ireland “one last time” for a concert at the O2 on December 12, complete with orchestra and choir. In Cork, Mike Skinner of the Streets is on his way to the Pavilion on March 7 for a DJ set of some of his favourite tunes in what will be an eclectic mix of current material and classic tracks from a variety of genres. O Emperor take over Cork Opera House for a gig on Mar 7. They’ll be supported on the night by Cork band Altered Hours. The UCC-organised festival Fuaim is back for a fifth run on March 21-23 with a lineup that includes the likes of Scullion, Julie Feeney and Duke Special. Belgian mashup masters 2 Many DJ’s have been confirmed for Cork Opera House on March 13.
Blue Is The Warmest Colour has sparked some serious superlatives from critics and also won the Palme d’Or at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. The relationship drama between two girls runs at Triskel Christchurch in Cork from today until Monday. The same venue also has the Broken Song documentary about two Dublin rappers. Next Thursday, Cork Cine Club is showing Chilean comedy drama Gloria, about a lonely divorcee who decides to try the singles scene. In Dublin, the narcotics-themed films at IFI continue next week with Scarface (Feb 15) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Feb 16). Films opening at cinemas such as the Omniplex and the Gate today include the remake of Robocop, and Dallas Buyers Club starring Matthew McConaughey.
When Dawn French last performed a stand-up in Ireland, she sold out the Point Depot with her buddy Jennifer Saunders in 2007. This time around, she’s at the more modest Olympia in Dublin, but has confirmed two dates, July 9-10. Neil Delamere is at Vicar Street tonight and tomorrow, while in Cork, City Limits has Eleanor Tiernan tomorrow night. Russell Kane brings his Smallness tour to Cork Opera House on May 9. RTÉ and BBC are hooking up to co-produce a new series, The Walshes, from the pen of Graham Linehan and Irish comedy troupe Diet of Worms. The show will revolve around a tight-knit family from a fictional Dublin suburb.
