As entertainment heads indoors again, Jim Carroll previews the best pop and rock gigs. Plus Siobhán Long and Michael Dervan on trad and classical
RYAN ADAMS
The alt-country maverick returns. Prolific on record, Adams live lurches from sublime (Olympia, November 2002) to rubbish (Olympia, November 2003). Mandela Hall, Belfast, October 21; Olympia, Dublin, October 22; Savoy, Cork, October 23; Black Box, Galway, October 24
BABYSHAMBLES
Bookies now taking wagers on the chances of shambling disaster Pete Doherty making all the dates on his band's second Irish tour this year.
Music Factory, Carlow, September 25; Ambassador, Dublin September 26; Mandela Hall, Belfast, September 27
BEAUTIFUL SOUTH
Supported by the wonderful Duke Special.
City Hall, Cork, September 21; INEC, Killarney, September 22; The Forum, Waterford, September 23; Leisure Centre, Galway, September 25; TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, September 26; Millennium, Derry, September 28; Ulster Hall, Belfast, September 28; Point, Dublin, September 30
BELFAST FESTIVAL AT QUEEN'S
The full programme is under wraps until September 7th so we'll have to wait to see who will follow in the footsteps of Dizzy Gillespie, Jimi Hendrix and thousands more who've played since the fest launched in 1962.
Various venues, Belfast, October 19-November 4
BELL X1
Preaching to the flock.
Mandela Hall, Belfast, November 22; Nerve Centre, Derry, November 23; Royal Theatre, Castlebar, November 24; The Forum, Waterford, November 25; Leisureland, Galway, November 27; INEC, Killarney, November 28; Savoy, Cork, November 29; Point, Dublin, December 1
CALEXICO
New album Garden Ruin sees Calexico having a go at the big music. It's a little more rock/pop than previous outings, which have gone from mariachi pow-wows to dusty, desert blues.
Olympia, Dublin, November 2
CAME SO FAR FOR BEAUTY
Probably the highlight of the season for many. Hal Willner's tribute to the songs of Leonard Cohen performed by a cast of dozens including Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Antony, Jarvis Cocker, Laurie Anderson and Mary Margaret O'Hara. Point, Dublin, October 4/5
CANSEI DE SER SEXY
The São Paulo punk-funk outfit with the superfly Lets Make Love and Listen to Death From Above boom tune. Bigger venues beckon.
Radar Club, Belfast, November 5; Whelan's, Dublin, November 6
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS
Ex-Libertine Carl Barat and his band throw some new-school punky shapes.
Mandela Hall, Belfast, September 21; Savoy, Cork, September 22; Ambassador, Dublin September 23
THE DIVINE COMEDY
Smug-pop from Neil Hannon and hired hands.
Radisson, Galway, November 7; Savoy, Cork, November 8; Olympia, Dublin, November 9; Mandela Hall, Belfast, November 11; Millennium, Derry, November 12
DUBLIN ELECTRONIC ARTS FESTIVAL (DEAF)
The return of Deaf for the fifth year in a row is a 100 per cent Irish affair. Highlights will include Dennis McNulty's tour of city-centre apartments and the Dublin Guitar Quartet at the National Concert Hall. Various venues, Dublin, October 25-30
FINAL FANTASY
Canadian string arranger (Arcade Fire's Funeral), music-blog fave and He Poos Clouds chamber-pop hit-maker. Róisín Dubh, Galway, October 27; Whelan's, Dublin, October 29; Spiegeltent, Belfast, October 30
FLAMING LIPS
A night out with the Flaming Lips will restore your faith in humanity. Furry costumes? Check. Wayne Coyne in a white suit? Check. Wayne Coyne crowd-surfing in a plastic bubble? Check with security. Vicar St, Dublin, November 18-19 (sold out)
THE FRAMES
Plugging excellent new album The Cost.
Vicar Street, Dublin, September 24 and October; Town Hall, Galway, September 25, Royal Theatre, Castlebar, September 27; Ulster Hall, Belfast, October 2; An Grianán, Letterkenny, October 3; Everyman Palace, Cork, October 5-6; University Hall, Limerick, October 7
THE GO! TEAM
The greatest cop show themes in the world ever from the Brighton-based all-action team. Think Big Audio Dynamite fronted by Neneh Cherry.
Olympia, Dublin, October 23
HARD WORKING CLASS HEROES
Some 90 new and not-so-new acts aim to make the most of the leg-up. We recommend The Immediate, Cowboy X, 8 Ball, DC Pakt, Delorentos, Giveamanakick, Les Bien and Twinkranes. Various venues, Dublin, October 13-15
HOT CHIP
They may well have won the Mercury Music Prize for The Warning by the time they arrive. Live, it's all smashing melodic pop beeps and bleeps from the Chippy synth strike team. Ambassador, Dublin, October 2
HUMAN LEAGUE
You may have trouble getting a hairdresser's appointment the following day. All together now: "You were working as a waitress..."
Vicar Street, Dublin, December 12; Savoy, Cork, December 13
IRON MAIDEN
The heavy rock veterans are marking 30 years in business with a new album (A Matter of Life and Death) and another lengthy run around the globe as their career resurgence continues.
Point, Dublin, December 20
JAY-Z
Jigga's out of rapping retirement and is taking a break from sitting behind the Def Jam desk to reacquaint himself with rocking the microphone. Could be one of the shows of the year. Note "could be". Point, Dublin, September 26
TOM JONES
Another act making his regular visit to the Emerald Isle to remind the natives that he is still hale and hearty. Ladies, knickers to the left of the stage only please. Point, Dublin, October 24; Odyssey, Belfast, October 25
JURASSIC 5
Ever-popular underground hip-hoppers return with more feel-good anthems and tracks to entice you to stick your hands in the air.
Tripod, Dublin, September 23; Ulster Hall, Belfast, September 24
DAVID KITT
On the road with fine new album Not Fade Away. Róisín Dubh, Galway, October 20; Whelan's, Dublin, October 21-22; Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick, October 24; Cyprus Ave, Cork October 25-26; Spirit Store, Dundalk, October 28; Empire Music Hall, Belfast October 29
THE KOOKS
The big time has been beckoning all year long for the new-school Brit-poppers with the stage-school past and posh pedigree. Filled a tent to the brim at Oxegen so should have no problems here.
Ambassador, Dublin, November 29-30
JACK L
The Kildare man with the humongous voice goes for a five-night stand on Thomas Street. He releases a live DVD later this month to get folks in the mood. Vicar Street, Dublin, October 27-31
LL COOL J
Irish audiences have shown a healthy appetite for hip-hop shows of late, but it's a bit of a stretch to expect Ladies Love Cool James to fill the Point. Expect a move to a smaller room or even a cancellation. Point, Dublin, October 10
MADNESS
When Madness played here in 2003, it was one of the finest shows of the year. We'll be more than happy with a similar performance from the besuited chirpy ska-pop veterans. Point, December 10
CERYS MATTHEWS
Cerys Matthews used to sing and carouse with Britpop cannon-fodder Catatonia, but the solo Matthews got her head together in Nashville.
Vicar Street, Dublin, October 13
MCFLY
Proof that there's still life in the manufactured boy-band game. These days, McFly mix and match their early Busted-do-Green-Day punk-pop with Britpoppy hooks and riffs.
Point, Dublin, October 9; Odyssey, Belfast, October 10
GEORGE MICHAEL
After the tabloid exposure of late, Michael will probably welcome the opportunity to sing for his supper with tunes plucked from all his albums to date. Point, Dublin, December 7-9 (all sold out)
MOTÖRHEAD
Of course, they'll play Ace of Spades. There's a new Motörhead album, Kiss of Death, in the shops and download stalls, but there's still one song everyone wants to hear from Lemmy and friends.
Point, Dublin, October 31
MUSE
If you haven't already heard their new album Black Holes & Revelations, make amends now. One of the most outlandish, ambitious, histrionic and eccentric rock records of the year.
Point, Dublin, November 3; Odyssey, Belfast, November 4
MTV SPANKING NEW MUSIC TOUR
Value-for-money new band tour featuring such MTV2 regulars as hairy-metallers Wolfmother, the gritty Forward Russia, Fields and The Macabees. Olympia, Dublin, November 6
NEW YORK DOLLS
Morrissey's a big fan, but don't let that put you off these seminal punk pioneers. Only two Dolls, David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain, have lasted the long, rough road from New York's Bowery.
Olympia, Dublin, October 20
PHOENIX
If you loved Phoenix's three albums to date of classic American AOR homages, you'll want to be up for the front for this one. Languid, winsome pop/rock of the finest kind from Versailles. Spirit, Dublin, October 23
PINK
She's here to get the party started. Not quite rock and not quite pop, Pink has tried more musical styles in her career to date than Paris Hilton has had manicures.
Point, Dublin, November 16; Odyssey, Belfast, November 17-18
THE PIPETTES
Polka-dot dresses and cute pop from the Brighton act aiming to relive the heyday of The Supremes. Spring & Airbrake, Belfast, October 2; Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin, October 3
PRIMAL SCREAM
The Scream's new album, Riot City Blues, sounds more Rolling Stones than The Rolling Stones themselves these days. In town for Bud Rising November, full details of which are yet to be announced. Olympia, Dublin November 11
PUBLIC ENEMY
The first appearance in the People's Republic for Chuck D, Flavor Flav and assorted S1Ws. Still delivering hip-hop's fiercest polemic after all these years. Lets hope they leave Irish history well alone this time. Savoy, Cork, October 11
CLIFF RICHARD
Snakes on a plane, its Cliff! The man who has survived more pop schisms and fashions than anyone else in the game is heading for album number 68. The Kooks are unlikely to do the same. Odyssey, Belfast, December 4; Point, Dublin December 5-6
KENNY ROGERS
The Gambler will probably do more business between these two indoor shows than he did at the Midlands country festival in July.
Point, Dublin, October 19; King's Hall Belfast, October 21
THE ROOTS
Hip-hop heavyweights, especially when it comes to the live ducking and diving, arrive in town to sell a few copies of new album Game Theory.
Olympia, Dublin, December 19
PAUL SIMON
On this occasion, rhymin' Simon will be plugging his recently-released Surprise album, a piece of work which benefits greatly from Brian Eno's guiding hand on the controls. Point, Dublin, November 8 (sold out)
SNOW PATROL
There's a lot of mum-rock fans out there. Having played a rake of sold-out Irish shows already in 2006 (and the first Dublin date is already gone that way), one last chance for a sing-along.
Odyssey, Belfast, December 21; Point, Dublin, December 22 and 23
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Second 2006 visit with the Seeger Sessions Band. Springsteen is rumoured to be headlining Glastonbury 2007 with the E-Street Band which could mean - yes! - more Irish shows.
Point, Dublin, November 17-19; Odyssey, Belfast, November 21 (all sold out)
SUFJAN STEVENS
It took mere minutes for all the tickets for this one to disappear, further proof that some of us still have a discerning taste in ambitious, smart singer-songwriters. Olympia, Dublin, November 1 (sold out)
SUNN 0)))
Drone metal from the avant-garde, becloaked pin-ups behind such booming low-end rock-outs as White1, Black One and Candlewolf of the Golden Chalice. Crawdaddy, Dublin, October 17
SANDI THOM
The singer-songwriter and KT Tunstall soundalike who went from webcasting shows from her basement to fame, fortune, a record deal and a number one single hits the road.
Limelight, Belfast, October 16; Whelan's, Dublin, October 17
TOOL
Our favourite heavyweight metal act. Latest album 10,000 Days sees Maynard James Keenan and friends continue to furrow their brows about life, love, confusion and death. Point, Dublin, November 22
TOUMANI DIABATÉ'S SYMMETRIC ORCHESTRA
The Malian kora king played an impressive show in the Iveagh Gardens in July, so inevitably he's back. Check out his excellent Boulevard de l'Indépendance for what to expect.
Vicar Street, Dublin, October 25
TRIPOD
The rebirth of the Red Box on Dublin's Harcourt Street as three multi-capacity venues in one. Confirmed shows to date include Jurassic 5 (September 23), Hayseed Dixie (September 27), The Cult (September 29), Level 42 (October 4) and Level 42 (November 18)
WILL YOUNG
Reality TV survivor continues to distance himself from his Pop Idol past. Has done a big-screen turn with a part in Mrs Henderson Presents and is set to appear onstage in Noel Coward's The Vortex.
Point, Dublin, September 27
PAUL WELLER
The venue will be packed to the rafters with the faithful who've followed every twist and turn of Weller's long road from Woking. Some, though, may prefer to forget the Style Council years.
Olympia, Dublin, November 17
Classical
BEETHOVEN'S FIDELIO
Beethoven's Fidelio is an opera set in a jail, which Opera Theatre Company is, well, setting in a jail, Kilmainham Gaol to be precise. Annilese Miskimmon directs, Tecwyn Evans conducts.
Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, September 21/23/25/27/29
ANDRÁS SCHIFF AND FRIENDS
Hungarian pianist András Schiff is back at the NCH for another mini-fest (Beethoven sonatas, Haydn and Beethoven trios with Yuuko Shiokawa and Miklós Perényi, and a song recital with Robert Holl).
NCH, Dublin, September 28/30 and October 1
ORLA BOYLAN (SOPRANO)
Orla Boylan has been singing on major international stages around the world for years, but not at home. She makes her Opera Ireland debut as Blanche Dubois in André Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire in November, and can be heard in recital at the NCH in October.
NCH, Dublin, Thursday, October 5; Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, Nov 19/21/23/25
RTÉ NSO MAHLER SYMPHONY CYCLE
The first three instalments of Ireland's first complete Mahler symphony cycle take place before Christmas. The cycle continues until May. Gerhard Markson conducts.
NCH, Dublin, September 8/October 20/November 3
RTÉ NSO SHOSTAKOVICH SYMPHONY CYCLE
The last leg of the NSO's Shostakovich cycle covers works of official celebration, of subversion, and of sheer mystery. Josep Caballé-Domenech, Vladimir Altschuler, Alexander Anissimov, and Gerhard Markson conduct.
NCH, Dublin, September 15/October 6/November 10/December 1
LA SCALA PO
Riccardo Chailly and the orchestra of La Scala in Milan make their joint Dublin debuts in a programme that includes two gorgeously scored works, Respighi's Pines of Rome and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite.
NCH, Dublin, October 11
ANGELA GHEORGHIU (SOPRANO)
A long-awaited Dublin debut for Romanian superstar soprano Angela Gheorghiu.
NCH, Dublin, October 14
- Michael Dervan
Trad
MAIGHREAD AND TRÍONA NÍ DHOMHNAILL WITH TONY MCMANUS
With Skara Brae, the Bothy Band, Nightnoise and countless other musical conglomerates tucked under their collective belt, Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill join forces with Scottish guitarist Tony McManus for what may well be a sizzling collaboration. Music Network Tour, September 20-30
PADDY KEENAN
Renowned Dublin uilleann piper, former member of the Bothy Band and quintessential Long Rider returns home for a short tour. September 14-16
THIRTEENTH WILLIAM KENNEDY PIPING FESTIVAL, ARMAGH CITY
Celebrating the memory of the blind 18th pipe maker, William Kennedy from Tandragee, this year's festival has bagged a veritable who's who of the trad world, including Liam O'Flynn, Michael McGoldrick, Lúnasa, Flook, Ensemble Shanbehzadeh from Iran and Anxo Lorenzo Band from Galicia. November 15-19
- Siobhán Long
