MUSIC NEWS: We haven’t heard much from Tom Waits in recent years, but ANTI-records has announced the re-release of the seven albums the 67-year-old had put out on the label. 

From enchanting Morrissey to moving Imelda May, Damien Dempsey’s music often provokes an emotional response, writes Ed Power.

As Bono and co get ready to revisit The Joshua Tree, Ed Power looks back on a classic album that really has stood the test of time

If you’ve ever been told to tidy up your desk by your boss, make sure they get a copy of this book.

However you want to classify them, Stars of the Lid are always interesting, writes Don O’Mahony

Radie Peat is a musician and singer from Artane, Dublin. 

A global event celebrating whistleblowers and freedom of expression will be held to mark the fourth anniversary of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's stay in the Ecuadorean Embassy.

JOHN Metcalfe’s album, The Appearance of Colour, is just his fourth solo release in 30 years. But don’t let that fool you, writes Alan O’Riordan. 

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Damien Dempsey is from Donaghmede in Dublin, and his musical influences include traditional sean-nós, as well as his heroes, Bob Marley and Elvis Presley. Upcoming gigs include Cork Opera House, next Friday, April 1; and the National Opera House, Wexford, on April 2.

As he prepares for his Irish visit, Giorgio Moroder talks Flashdance, Donna Summer and Daft Punk with Ed Power

Just how did a Japanese artist begin drawing characters from Father Ted and publishing them every day? Noel Baker finds out from Dublin-based sketcher Shota Kotake

Cork-bound Alexander Balanescu was born in Romania but has lived in the UK for most of his life. He fronts the Balanescu Quartet, a group that broke through with their classically-tinged cover versions of tunes by Kraftwerk. 

FANS of U2 will probably know the story of how Larry Mullen and later Bono had to repeatedly court Brian Eno to convince him to work with them on changing their sound.

US composer David Lang presents a festival of new music this weekend. Don’t get bogged down in genres, he advises Alan O’Riordan

Hotly-tipped Barclaycard Mercury Prize nominees FKA twigs and Kate Tempest are among the acts which have enjoyed the biggest percentage sales boosts since being shortlisted for tonight’s award.

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”.

The interfaces of Islamic and Western culture are many, but when Tinariwen guitarist Abdallah Ag Lamida was abducted by Islamist rebels in Mali in 2012, it was a potential watershed. The plentiful al-Qaida African affiliates seemed to be saying western music is satanic.

Debut novelist Eimear McBride has won the £30,000 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction only a week after winning the Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award.

The Consumer Show is back, and Friday brings the final of the UK version of Masterchef.

MUSIC NEWS:

Everyday Robots

MUSIC NEWS:

Boy George has revealed Culture Club are going to release new music.

Lou Reed, the punk-poet of rock who influenced generations of musicians with the Velvet Underground and who remained a vital solo artist for decades, died yesterday at the age of 71.

MUSIC NEWS: U2 have revealed they hope to finish their new album by the end of next month, with a release date yet to be specified for 2014.

They came last in 2007, but a new album marks 24 wonderful years on the road, says Siobhán Cronin

THE return of David Bowie with a new single on his 66th birthday was completely unexpected.

How Is The Internet Changing The Way You Think?

Coldplay collaborated with Rihanna to modernise their sound.

Singer-songwriter PJ Harvey could become the first act to win the Mercury Prize twice if she proves the bookies right and picks up the award at tonight’s event.

SATURDAY

Pete Townshend wishes he had never joined The Who.

IT’S that time of year when the British music industry is whipping itself into a state of apoplectic excitement at the prospect of a new batch of pop contenders sweeping all before them.

David Bowie showed Bono how to sing beyond his "man" voice, and add a feminine touch to his vocals.

Coldplay haven’t finished any songs for their new record.

Coldplay are working with Brian Eno again on their new album.

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin was drafted in to help rocker David Byrne write his new album, after the former Talking Heads star was struck with writer's block.

U2 fans are expected to begin queueing outside Irish music stores next week to be the first to get their hands on the band’s long-awaited new album.