Scene + Heard: Music, film and gig news

Here’s what’s going on this weekend. 

MUSIC NEWS: James Vincent McMorrow releases his new album True Care today, and much is expected from the new tracks. Writing on his website, the 34-year-old Dubliner says he believes this new album is the best he’s ever done, and he was happy to leave it slightly unpolished. “It felt so vital that I leave any flaws on display, not go back and sand off their edges,” he reports.

Of course, the Manchester bombing has dominated the music news this week, and while many in the industry take to social media to express sympathy and outrage, others have to face up to the almost impossible business of thwarting further attacks.

About 175,000 people will attend Glastonbury next month – imagine the security operation that would be needed to ensure none of them are carrying anything lethal.

While Ireland has escaped such attacks so far, event organisers here are at least discussing the possibility of something happening.

One group who won’t have to face such issues are the people behind the BARE in the Woods festival near Portarlington, Co Laois.

They have blamed a lack of time to fulfil their licensing obligations as the reason for an event due to take place on the weekend of June 9, due to have featured the likes of House of Pain, Mike Skinner and Right Said Fred.

GIG WISE: All clogged roads lead to Slane and back tomorrow as the spectacular Co Meath venue hosts Guns N’Roses and Royal Blood in the first big Irish concert since the Manchester attack.

Gardaí and promoters MCD have quite an extensive list of prohibited items — including backpacks and selfie sticks — so if you are going to the concert, it might be worth checking that list.

With Fleet Foxes selling out their July 11 gig at Cork Opera House, the Seattle outfit have added another appearance the following night.

Not surprisingly, The National’s gig at the same venue in September has also sold out, as have the band’s two appearances in Vicar Street, Dublin.

Also in Cork, Japanese-American singer Mitski plays Cyprus Avenue on June 6, while the Wedding Present are at the same venue on June 18.

FILM TIPS: The latest instalments of Pirates of the Caribbean and Diary Of A Wimpy Kid will be among the big draws at the box office over the weekend, and Monday is the unusual release day for the revamped Baywatch.

Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron are among the stars of a film that has been getting decent reviews all round, and original cast members Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff also make cameo appearances.

Triskel in Cork has US highly-rated vampire film The Transfirguration, and Finnish offering The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Maki.

THEATRE NIGHTS: Bookings are open for the musical version of Angela’s Ashes, with the premiere run of the stage version of Frank McCourt’s memoir taking place at the Lime Tree in the late author’s home town of Limerick from July 6-15.

There will also be a run at the BGE Theatre in Dublin from July 18-30. Cork Midsummer Festival (June 14-25) is fast approching, and drama highlights could include Futureproof at the Everyman, Far Away at Spike Island, and Neon Western at Marina Commercial Park.

ON THE TELLY: Two big drama series worth watching out for next week on Channel 4 are The Handmaid’s Tale (Sunday, 9pm), with ex Mad Men star Elisabeth Moss; and the third season of Fargo (Wednesday, 10pm), starring Ewan McGregor.