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The only books you ever read

ALEC Ounsworth likes not being famous. For a few scary months in 2005 he was on the cusp of something akin to celebrity (the indie rock equivalent at least). The experience did not agree with him very much.

Tom Climent has built a solid reputation for paintings that seduce the eye, and compositions that smoulder with theatrical tension and atmosphere.

Social media ensures there’s no such thing as keeping a secret these days, and the word is very much out that De Barra’s in Clonakilty, Co Cork, will host the big gig tonight in this weekend’s Guinness Amplify event.

THEY have been described, by the New York Times as “one of the greatest bands in the world”. The Guardian has been similarly breathless, eulogising them as “one of the most extraordinary groups on the planet”.

They were contemporaries of UK acid-house era acts Leftfield, The Orb and Massive Attack, but Dreadzone’s roots reach back to Mick Jones’s urban groove-oriented post-Clash act, Big Audio Dynamite.

St Multose, Kinsale 3/5

Olympia, Dublin 4/5

(Edition Records) 4/5

Triskel Christchurch, Cork

"A rotted body politic riven with lies and factions and a sense that debauchery, despotism and tyranny governs all," is how director, Michael Barker-Caven describes the background of The Rape of Lucretia.

GIG WISE: With Electric Picnic out of the way, the next biggie on the Irish music horizon is the Guinness Amplify festival taking place through the five provinces on different weekends in September and October.

With sales of 10m records, and a sold-out homecoming gig, The Script really don’t care what the critics say, writes Ed Power.

Asking comedians about their most memorable heckle is a sure-fire way to hear a funny anecdote. But for Tig Notaro the question dredges up an unpleasant memory of her first visit to Ireland, several years ago, at Kilkenny’s Cat Laughs Festival.

Cork-based David Mitchell tells Zahra Saeed about his new novel, forays into Twitter and getting inspiration from his children.

All the world’s a stage for playwright and journalist Liam Heylin, whose latest play, West for the Weekend, is about a lawyer with a gambling problem.

Interpol get a hard time for sounding a lot like Interpol. The charge is that, after several engaging albums, the New Yorkers are slouching towards creative dotage, regurgitating a grab-bag of tics and tropes: clanging guitars, brooding melodies, Ian Curtis-esque singing from frontman Paul Banks.

PICNIC PARTICULARS: The programmers at Electric Picnic have been doing their stuff for quite a few years, so hopefully the mellow tones of Portishead won’t jar with the exuberance of the Saturday mainstage crowd at 10.30pm.

What a crazy, thrilling year it’s been for Clean Bandit. Twelve months ago, the Cambridge quartet were an obscure novelty, touting an unlikely mash-up of classical music and r’n’b.

Kate Bush made a sensational return to the concert stage on Tuesday night — 35 years after her last, and only, tour.

From the house on Janesboro height My father recalled hearing hunters shooting For snipe in fields around Parnell Street.

It is too early, yet, to think about the literary meaning of the unexpected passing of poet Seamus Heaney nearly a year ago says Thomas McCarthy.

David Kronn is gradually donating his invaluable, acquired photographs to the IMMA, says Richard Fitzpatrick.

Roger McGough’s poems convey the beauty of everyday language, says Richard Fitzpatrick

On what would have been his 65th birthday, Ed Power looks at Phil Lynott’s legacy

Kilkenny Arts Festival

National Concert Hall, Dublin

Now you blame no one and nothing

BALLYTURK: Anybody wishing to see Cillian Murphy’s return to his hometown stage needs to get on the case soon as all evening performances of Ballyturk at Cork Opera House (August 26-30) are sold out-

It seems that from your quiet plot,

1|film|GOD’S POCKET

Irish actor Steve Blount, one of the co-creators and stars of Swing, currently on at the Edinburgh Arts Festival, was at a house party about a decade ago when he first met his co-star Janet Moran.

The Texaco Children’s Art Competition has reached its 60th year, making this touring exhibition of the 2014 winners and special merit recipients that extra bit special.

La Roux’s second album did not come by its title flippantly.

St Columba’s, Ennis

A new TV series revolves around women of different backgrounds who meet at an antenatal class, writes Keeley Bolger.

As Ballyturk is readied for Dublin and Cork, Enda Walsh is already thinking about his next play, writes Alan O’Riordan.

Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip

MUSIC NEWS: Hozier is in Mitchelstown this weekend, and has also released a video of a duet with Karen Cowley on his single ‘In A Week’ that was recorded at Kilkenny Castle.

It’s 25 years since Public Enemy hit the mainstream with the Do The Right Thing film. Their frontman tells Don O’Mahony why his group’s message remains relevant

1|theatre|LOVE, PEACE AND ROBBERY

SCROOBIUS PIP sounds surprisingly upbeat as he contemplates the imminent demise of his collaboration with musical partner, Dan Le Sac.

Online and celeb endorsements are helping revive a 90s Irish band, says Ed Power