Skip to main content

2020 MJs

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 dived into the MISP debacle. So, for that alone, they win Best Irish Podcast.


2020 should have been a big one for Corks very own Happyalone. Well COVID put paid to that, so they are my Ones to Watch for 2021!


Did you ever here an album that spoke to you straight away?  I did.

The Best International Album goes to Idles for Ultra Mono, a powerful, rage filled, passionate piece of music.


The last award is for the Best Irish Campaign. This had to go to Linda Coogan Byrne and her team for their Gender Disparity Data Report on Irish Radio. It's only when the facts are pointed out to you, in black and white, that you go 'oh shit...'


And that's it for the 2020 MJs.  Hopefully next year will bring back some normality, some gigs, some festivals, who knows...  Wash your hands, wear your mask and social distance.  The live music industry depends on you!!!


Popular Posts

2022-03-26 Buskers on Grafton Street, Dublin

I took a walk around Dublin today,  thought I'd check out the buskers on Grafton Street.   There's a fine history of busking in Dublin, acts like  Hothouse Flowers ,  The Frames ,  Rodrigo y Gabriela ,  Damien Rice ,  Paddy Casey ,  Kodaline  and a host of others all cut their teeth on and around Grafton Street.  It stands to reason that some of those busking today will be successful in the future! So, who did I get to see today?  Well, check out the photos below: Zoe Clarke Allie Sherlock Paul Jenkinson
Read more

Interview with King Kong Company

Originally published 10/09/2013 on Chunk.ie So, there I was, wandering around the Electric Picnic wondering who I was going to watch next. One of the lads said he had heard good things about King Kong Company and that we should check them out, so off we headed to the Body and Soul Arena to do just that.  As I mentioned in my review of the Electric Picnic, the gig was epic.  I figured we just had to interview them here on CHUNK.ie, and here it is! First things first, congratulations on a storming gig at the Electric Picnic. It completely blew me away.  Was this your first Picnic experience? We’ve been to many Electric Picnics over the years but just as punters, and it’s always been a great festival, so it was a fantastic experience to play at its 10 year anniversary. King Kong Company is a rather interesting name for a band, where or how did you come up with it? The name is taken from the film Taxi Driver. If you look closely, Travis Bickle is wearing a badge which says King
Read more

2023-08-26 The Playing Fields Festival - Clane GAA

It's The Playing Fields Festival time again!  TPFF23, it's third outing, is back and it's the same, but a little different also. For the first time, it's not just an Irish affair.  The legendary Basement Jaxx headlined the Sunday night.  Also, for the first time, it's under canvas.  Not a big circus type tent, a more low rise, stretched canvas affair, as per TribFest a few weeks back.  Given the state of the Irish summer, it was a great decision.  The final difference was that I was only there for Day Two as I'd already arranged to bring my niece to see The Vamps , and that clashed with Day One. So, along with Basement Jaxx , who else was playing Day Two of TPFF? Well, we had:     The Flavours      Altered Lines      Diversion      Raging Sons      Spring Break      Roisin O      and      CamrinWatsin I think we can agree, that's a pretty good mix of rock n' roll, party time and dance music!  Even under canvas, the stage was pretty big and sounded good
Read more