Scene + Heard

MUSIC NEWS:

Longterm sticksman Phil Rudd is currently facing charges in New Zealand for threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine, so several outlets are reporting that Chris Slade, who played with the group from 1989 to 1994, will be in the seat on Sunday.

Nile Rodgers and his Chic group have been regular visitors to Ireland in recent years, and the next appearance may feature some new material alongside the disco-era classics. Chic are to release a new single, ‘I’ll Be There’, in March, with an album following in March.

Another legendary funkster, Prince, produced a nice surprise for the audience at an autism charity gig at the Koko club in Camden, London, earlier this week when he made an unannounced appearance for a set that included many greatest hits.

Finally, after expressing his negative opinions on Ed Sheeran recently, Noel Gallagher has now aimed fire at Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner. Bemoaning the lack of characters in modern music, the former Oasis guitarist told the Evening Standard: “I would rather drink petrol straight from the nozzle at a garage than listen to an interview with Alex Turner.”

GIG WISE:

Hudson-Taylor have already sold out their March 1 gig in Cork, but the recent announcement of further dates in Munster and beyond should ensure fans still have a chance to catch one of the hottest young acts in country. A seven-date tour of Ireland in May includes Crystal in Waterford (May 2), Big Top in Limerick (3), Olympia, Dublin (30), Savoy in Cork (31).

Kodaline are another Irish act making some serious waves at the moment, and they’ve also announced two summer gigs: June 25 at the Marquee in Cork, followed the next day by an appearance at Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin.

Fans of hip hop and dance music should mark the Life (May 29-31) festival in their diaries, with those wonderful folk at Bodytonic bringing the likes of Nas, Derrick Carter and Motor City Drum Ensemble to Belvedere House near Dublin.

The Libertines have all kissed and made up, so hopefully that domestic bliss between Pete Doherty and his bandmates will last until at least their appearance at the 3Arena in Dublin on July 9. Unfortunately, Macy Gray’s gig at the Academy in Dublin last night was cancelled in advance due to “unforseen logistical problems”, but promoters MCD say she will play later in the year.

Valentine’s Night is on the way, and one of the musical options in Cork is the ‘Lovesongs & Murder Ballads’ gig by family trio Greeneshine at On the Pig’s Back in Patrick’s Woollen Mills in Douglas.

FILM TIPS:

Game of Thrones fans may be excited to learn that Milla Jovovich has been announced for a leading role in a combined film adapation of three of George RR Martin’s short stories, to be titled In the Lost Lands.

Among today’s releases are Jupiter Ascending, Lana and Andy Wachowski’s (The Matrix) sci-fi flick with Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis.

Cork Cine Club has Two Days, One Night (Deux Jours, Une Nuit) at St John’s College next Thursday, while the Triskel’s weekend roster includes Irish film Patrick’s Day and Oscar nominee Foxcatcher.

VISUAL ART:

Joseph Keating and Yestin Reboul were joint winners of the student of the year award for 2014 at the Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork, and part of the prize is an exhibition at the Lavit Gallery which begins on Tuesday.