There's brilliant live music happening all over the country again this week that isn't Ed Sheeran!
Go out and sample.
Who: Ben Miller Band
When: Tuesday, July 28
Where: Cyprus Avenue, Cork
Ben Miller Band have that kind of instantly accessible sound that doesn't need hours dedicated to their back catalog to enjoy. That would be time well spent, mind. They combine styles like bluegrass, folk, country (the good sort) and blues to create a truly visceral live experience. Tickets are available over the counter from the Old Oak in Cork - this is the perfect musical accompaniment for a school-night blow-out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hU3F_QIda0#t=40
Who: Meltybrains?
When: Saturday, August 1
Where: The Beat Yard, Dun Laoghaire
If you're the type of person who likes weird, electronic music, chances are you're probably a massive Meltybrains? fan already. If you are that type and you aren't, you're slacking son, get yourself over to Dun Laoghaire on Saturday evening for some atmospheric synth action. Hey, they've even written an All-Ireland ditty to take over from Jimmy's Winning Matches. Not really.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUXHGvRV3Q
Who: Fight Like Apes
When: Sunday, August 2
Where: Castlepalooza Festival, Offaly
With three studio albums under their belt in their 9 years of existence, FLApes have amassed a really interesting back catalog and a dedicated cult following. They've proven themselves to be the most enduring Irish pop/synth act to emerge from the avalanche of synths that characterised the scene in the late 00s, early 10s. Their second-from-the-top slot at Castlepalooza this weekend should be a suitably riotous affair. This still sounds mega:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MKXsFMhTAw
Who: Vann Music
When: Saturday, August 1
Where: Castlepalooza Festival, Offaly
The JOEkebox, which as y'all know is the JOE jukebox and not our random joke generator,
loves a bit of Vann Music. The Dublin outfit have been a quiet of late on the gigging front but they'll be bringing their razor-sharp melodies to Tullamore this weekend. This song is never off the radio - it's the backing track to the Castlepalooza ads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A7iATKnakQ
Who: Ash
When: Saturday, August 1
Where: Indiependence Festival
Can Ash even fit all their hits into a 90minute headliner set? Probably not, which guarantees a perfect denouement to Saturday night at Indiependence Festival this weekend. We had them in for The Sunday Sessions recently and Tim Wheeler and the boys blew our socks off with this acoustic version of the epochal Girl From Mars. Legends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiTaV2b-gAU
