‘Born In The ‘70s’ is probably not the record to propel Ed Harcourt blinking into the daylight but it’s a proper little gem, a sunny number that packs a subtlety snide lyrical punch at the ‘things were better in our day’ brigade.
Veteran producer Hal Willner has revealed the preliminary line-up for this July's Rogue’s Gallery concert in Dublin, which will feature top artists performing sea chanteys and pirate ballads.
There are dashes of funk and soul here and there and, at its best (the exuberent ‘Slaveship’), 1972 reaches the heights of Elton John, Billy Joel and latterly Ben Folds and Ed Harcourt.
Breaking news or what: after Saturday's spectacular support performance at Marlay Park, Dublin, the Republic Of Loose will do the honours for Snow Patrol again on the Isle Of Man.
SPARKLEHORSE TAKE CARE of headline duties when the Witnness Rising tour swings by the Empire, Belfast (June 27th); Warwick, Galway (28th); Savoy Theatre, Cork (29th); and Whelan’s, Dublin (30th @ 2 and 7.30pm).
In a year that saw events which will forever change the world in which we live, selected hotpress contributors offer some personal recollections of the past twelve months. We begin by listing the critics’ choice of 2001’s single and album releases
From A to Z, Paul Nolan and Ronan Fitzgerald introduce all the runners and riders for Punchestown – throwing in a baker’s dozen of acts who are not to be missed * along the way
Champagne corks were popped last week as Snow Patrol joined that elite group of bands who’ve simultaneously topped the charts in Ireland and the UK. It’s all a far cry from the days when their fame was confined to the University of Dundee Students Union bar. Gary Lightbody takes time out from wowing the masses in Dublin and Belfast to tell Stuart Clark about their twisty and turny route to the top.
