irishmj.ie

Linda Coogan Byrne and her team over at WhyNotHer have put together a startling report on the state of the Irish Singles Chart over the last 20 years and how it practically ignored Women and BIPOC.  It's an incredible piece of work, one that, had all things been fair and equal, should never have had to be complied. Unfortunately, like most things, the Irish Music Industry isn't a fair and equal place... Anyway, don't take my word for it, click here to read the report.

 April 2021 and, due to Covid Restrictions, there are still no gigs in Ireland.  Other music photographers I know, both amateur and pro, have found other projects to sate their interest, but I was struggling. What's the best thing to do when struggling?  Simple, spend money on gadgets!  I bought myself a Mavic Mini Drone.  Now all I had to do was learn to fly it and figure out what to do with it.   That took a bit longer than I expected.  The weather in February and March wasn't great, lots of rain unfortunately, and that's not good for flying drones.  However, I did start to formulate a plan.   Out by Punchestown Racecourse, there are two Standing Stones.  I figured I'd use the drone to get some images of them.  Then I began to wonder if there were any more around Kildare.  It turns out that there are  plenty!! So, each Saturday morning, weather permitting, I go out with my drone and camera to photograph them. First up is the Standing Stone opposite the main gate at Pu

I was in Dublin city centre this morning for the first time in 12 months.  The last time I was there was to see Jane Willow perform in the Cobblestone Pub  on February 29th 2020.  I never, not for a moment, thought things would turn out as they did.  I was looking forward to a year full of gigs and excitement.  I think we all know how that turned out. After doing what I had to workwise, I took a spin around Dublin before I headed home.  I drove by the aforementioned Cobblestone Pub , the Voodoo Lounge , The Grand Social , The Workmans Club , The Sugar Club and ended up outside Whelans . I've had great nights out in each of those venues and in many more around the country!   Dolans of Limerick, Crane Lane Theatre and Kino in Cork,  Odd Mollies in Drogheda, the Moat Theatre in Naas, the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge, the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan, Visual in Carlow...  The list goes on and on. 2017 and Helmet played Whelans.  There I am partying with them after the s

It's the end of the year, time to work my way through all the live gigs I've been to in the last 12 months, pick my best gigs, festivals, songs and so on... Seven, SEVEN, gigs I got to this year.  Yes yes, I know there are others that didn't even get to one, but when 2019 had in excess of 50 gigs, well, you can see why I'm frustrated. Enough complaining though, time to get to the 2020 MJs! First up is Best Irish Single . There were a lot of contenders this year, but for me, Cold Blue Light by Kynsy  edged them all out. Next up is Best Irish Album . Again there were many contenders, but for me, All The Leaves Are Falling by Nealo was the best.  Irish hip-hop is coming of age! Best Irish Gig is next.  This gig would win any year!  It was Denise Chaila in Dolans , Limerick.  Amazing night. I've listed to the Irish Music Industry Podcast since it launched and find it both entertaining and informative.  This year though, they produced two specials this year that deep

The Beatles in the Adelphi Cinema in Dublin... U2 in the Dandelion Market... Nirvana in the Top Hat, Dun Laoghaire... You'll here people say 'Oh yeah, I was there, it was incredible!'.  Now, if everyone who says they were there actually were, these venues would hold thousands, not hundreds! Why am I saying that?  Well, Friday night last, I was in Dolans in Limerick to see the incredible Denise Chaila launch her mixtape, Go Bravely .  It was one of those gigs that will be talked about for years to come. It was a small crowd, 50, maybe 60 people, but that's only because of the current COVID Restrictions.  Tickets sold out in 1 minute online, that should give you some idea of how popular this gig was!  In fact, she even put on an earlier gig at 7:30 due to demand! Supported onstage by God Knows and  MuRli Bo   (bloody great  performers in their own right!) and DJ Replay on the decks, it was a non stop party.  Obviously, the biggest response on the night was to C H A I L

 A burlesque gig one week, a rock n' roll gig the next, it's almost like a return to normal.  Almost, but not quite.  The Moat Theatre has a maximum of 50 people in it tonight, not because of poor ticket sales, but down to COVID 19 restrictions. Anyway, tonight's gig is mainly a local affair.  On the bill are Acoustic Freeway, Pete Kavanagh , Saoirse Casey and finally, Paddy Casey . The gig itself was a fundraiser for the Moat Theatre to help it through these difficult times. I think everyone enjoyed the night, it was a rare chance to see some live music in the town.  Hopefully this will be the start of the return of gigs in Naas. Anyway, check out the photos below: