Music highlights to keep an eye out for this spring

Ed Power’s run down on what will be hot in the world of music this spring.

Mark Ronson

Uptown Special album, January 23.

Uptown Funk, Ronson’s screamingly addictive hook-up with Bruno Mars, has owned the airwaves. Expect further high-tempo pop as the producer and DJ unleashes his greatly anticipated fourth LP.

Ennio Morricone

3Arena, Dublin, February 7

Morricone brought a delirious otherworldliness to the Spaghetti Western genre with his scores for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and For A Few Dollars More, before winning over a new generation with his gorgeous music for The Mission.

Interpol

Olympia, Theatre Dublin, February 10, 11, 12.

Interpol have lots to be cheerful about. They were finally rescued from the freak snowstorm that left them marooned in their tour bus for 40 hours, while new album El Pintor, is their most accomplished in years.

X Factor Live

3Arena, Dublin, February 15, 16

Ben Haenow was the surprise X Factor winner over the more fancied Fleur East. Now you can judge for yourself if the voting public made the right call.

Nathan Carter

Opera House, Cork, February 17, 18

The rise of Nathan Carter has baffled many — nonetheless, the Liverpool-Donegal country singer has a super-ardent fan-base.

The Coronas

3Arena, Dublin, February 21.

The Coronas shrugged off their boy-band-with-guitars reputation with recent third LP, The Long Way. Yes, it is all about singer Danny O’Reilly’s split from presenter Laura Whitmore.

The Gloaming

National Concert Hall, Dublin, February 28, March 1.

Traditional music for people who don’t like traditional music is how The Gloaming have been pitched — a billing the American-Irish ensemble effortlessly lives up to.

Spandau Ballet

3Arena, Dublin March 3.

The poster-boys for wavy-haired 80s funk-pop promote a new greatest hits collection.

Ryan Adams

Opera House Cork, March 3..

The troubled genius of country-rock bounced back with 2014’s stunning ‘Ryan Adams’ LP. In concert, expect the angst to be leavened by his formidable powers as between-song raconteur.

Noel Gallaghers’ High Flying Birds

3Arena, Dublin March 4.

The best thing that ever happened to Noel Gallagher was the break-up of Oasis. Freed of the band’s burdensome legacy, with High Flying Birds he has been able to explore fresh avenues.

Country 2 Country

3Arena, Dublin, March 7,8

Lady Antebellum and Brandy Clark headline this celebration of country music. If you’re still mourning Garth Brooks’ Croker no-show, you could do worse than head along.

Lionel Richie

3Arena, Dublin March 11.

Some may ridicule Lionel Richie as the ultimate guilty pleasure. Be honest, though — when you sing along to All Night Long, are you doing so ironically or because it’s a cracking tune?

Usher, 3Arena

Dublin, March 20.

The ladies’ man extraordinaire (LEFT), struts back in town, washboard on show.