Friday
Richard Hawley
Black Box, Galway 8pm €30
roisindubh.net
Sheffield songwriter Richard Hawley returns to Ireland fairly quickly after his previous gig here (Dingle’s Other Voices last December), yet his swoonsome croon and instinctive melodies always warrant our attention, no matter how often. Special guest is Marry Waterson, a member of UK folk royalty.
The Whileaways
Cleere's Bar and Theatre, Kilkenny 8.30pm €15
thewhileawaysmusic.com
Noriana Kennedy, Noelie O'Donnell and Nicola Joyce have quietly but diligently developed their own sound, characterised by a rich amalgam of folk/roots influences. This is the first of two concerts this week where they will air material from their recent superb second album, Saltwater Kisses.
John Digweed
Button Factory, Dublin 11pm €20
johndigweed.com
John Digweed’s relationship with Dublin can now be measured in decades as much as years. The Hastings native and Bedrock kingpin has been a city regular, turning masses of clubbers into screamers for as long as he has been DJing. As numerous nights out and mix albums for Renaissance, Global Undergound and Northern Exposure attest, Digweed’s skill lies in a brilliant, finely tuned ability to finesse deep, dark electronic thrillers into big room bangers.
Move D
Opium Rooms, Dublin 11pm €18/€15/€12
facebook.com/MoveD.official
Two weekend shows for David Moufang, the prolific German musician and producer. Aside from his Move D releases, Moufang has worked under the Earth to Infinity, Magic Mountain High, Reagenz, Koolfang, Conjoint, Reaganz and Deep Space Network monikers and collaborated with such greats as the late Pete Namlook. As a DJ, Moufang is a sharp operator, pulling styles and cuts from all quarters. Support in Dublin from Shanti Celeste and the Twitch DJs; the Subject crew return the favour in Belfast.
Bastardo Electrico
Cyprus Avenue, Cork 11pm €12/€10
facebook.com/bastardoelectricorecordings
The Earwiggle crew are in the house and answering the summons from the Bastardo Electrico judge and jury. That means you have Dublin techno maestro and Earwiggle head honcho Sunil Sharpe playing an Irish show inbetween his global gallivanting. He's joined by London producer Manni Dee, who released the Behaviour Cycles EP for Earwiggle after releases on Perc Trax, Black Sun, Osiris Music and Leyla. Bastardo boss Jamie Behan provides local interest.
Saturday
The Vincent(s)/North Sea
Cyprus Avenue, Cork 8pm €8
cyprusavenue.ie
You can’t beat a good double bill: not only is it value for money, but it also makes you feel less guilty about missing the not-always-good support act. The skinny? Hot to trot Cork rock group The Vincent(s) plough a crunchy/metal/rock furrow, while Dubliners North Sea channel an Interpol/Editors vibe extremely well and very individualistically.
The Kilfenora Céilí Band
The Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, Co Galway 8pm €25
090-9630400
This céilí band, now 101 years old, bring verve and vim to the dance floor for a fundraising performance. Last year saw them release a new album (Now Is the Hour); under Gary Shannon’s guiding hand, the band continues to evolve while keeping the dance tunes front and centre.
Moya Brennan
Riverbank Arts Centre, New- bridge, Co Kildare 8pm €20
riverbank.ie
This Donegal harpist and singer, a founder member of Clannad, has a voice that can still an audience with its feather-light qualities. Not a woman to let the grass grow under her feet, Moya Brennan has in recent years enjoyed a vibrant musical collaboration with fellow harpist Cormac de Barra. Tonight she will perform solo, with a selection of harp tunes and songs in equal measure.
Downtownsounds
Grand Social, Dublin 11pm Adm free
It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since the young messers behind the Downtownsounds nights out began their thing in the capital. Still relatively youthful, they mark 15 years in the club-running business – and 15 years of parties starring the likes of Mr Fingers, Nicky Siano, Lindstrom and Prins Thomas – with a night featuring some of the original crew. Classic quality house, deep disco and fresh boogie from Fanto, Pablo and Louche all night long.
Flipside
Bar Tengu, Dublin 10pm €10/€8
It seems that Bar Tengu is becoming the Dublin haunt for the Sex Tags team. Last year, Out to Lunch brought over the brilliant DJ Sotofett for a night out. Tonight, it’s his brother and label partner, Fett Burger, who is in the frame. Based in Moss in Norway (the town is also home to Helly Hansen, fashion fans), the Sex Tags empire crams in to more labels and offshoots than you can shake a stick at. Expect quality cosmic house- discotechno wig-outs and grand parades all night long.
Sunday
Bray Comedy Festival
The Harbour Bar 6pm €8
braycomedyfest.ie
The final night of this comedy festival, which runs from Thursday, sees Karl Spain, Fred Cooke and Totally Wired close out the session.
ADIFF Exhibition
Powerscourt Centre and Irish Georgian Society, Dublin Ends March 17
As part of this year’s film festival, Patrick Redmond has a show of famous faces who’ve made it to the Dublin institution, from Ben Kingsley to Tom Hardy.
