Album Review: CC Brez- The Nightfall

Former Republic of Loose man brings "da funk"

Matthew E White wows The Button Factory

The Virginian's innovative show hits the capital - and you can colour us impressed!

The Places To Visit in 2015

Whether it’s a beautifully preserved Belgian city or the historic capital of Ethopia, in 2015 travellers are set to spread their wings as never before. Here are the destinations you can’t afford to miss.

12 Step Planet: Bruges

Know as ‘The Venice of the North’. the picturesque Bruges is a perfect location in which to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures, such as fine beer and chocolate.

12 Step Planet: Tunis

The Arab Spring put the capital of Tunisia on the world map. Today, calm has returned to its ancient streets – making it an overlooked gem with lots to tempt the adventurous traveller.

12 Step Planet: Geneva

Cosmopolitan, friendly and surprisingly under-visited, Geneva is well worth investigating… but be sure to bring plenty of money. You’ll need it!

12 Step Planet: Berlin

The German capital is Europe's hipster and clubbing hotbed - plus there's lots to see and do after you've been up all night grooving to the hottest DJs

12 Step Planet: Christchurch

It's one of the cultural capitals of New Zealand, a slice of home-counties bliss deep in the Southern Hemisphere. Here's all you need know about the capital of the Canterbury region.

12 Step Planet: Dallas

To most Irish people, it's synonymous with JR Ewing, cowboys and bucking broncos. But Dallas has more to offer than oil wealth and stetson hats (though there's plenty of those too)

12 Step Planet: Antwerp

This glamorous centre of the international diamond trade has something for everyone: cool clubs, great beer and gorgeous Renaissance architecture

12 Step Planet: Riga

From kitsch Soviet-era architecture to some of Europe's hottest clubbing, the Latvian capital is a must-visit

Hot Travel: Memphis

It’s the home of bourbon and the birthplace of rock’n’roll. But these are just two of the many, many reasons to visit Memphis, Tennessee...

Overkill River - The Silver Gymnasium

CONCEPT SPECIALIST RETURNS TO FAMILIAR GROUND

Public Service Broadcasting - Inform - Educate - Entertain

ECCENTRIC LONDON DUO ALMOST GET IT RIGHT

Soundgarden Live

It’s been a while since Chris Cornell and co’s last appearance on Irish shores. As a sizeable crowd filed into the Docklands venue, many, no doubt, were looking to recreate those heady early ‘90s days when American alt-rock ruled the airwaves...

The Strypes Live

There’s buzz of nervous anticipation in the packed confines of the Academy as Elvis’s ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ rings out and the crew run through final checks. An eruption of noise greets BP Fallon’s arrival on-stage to introduce Cavan’s gift to rock ‘n’ roll in his unique, poetic style.

Twelve Step Planet: Palermo

The Jewel in the Crown of Sicily, Palermo is a city of intrigue, beauty and crazy driving

12 Step Planet: Brighton

It’s where Londoners go to party and is an epicentre of bohemian culture. Add to that its Victorian grandeur and it’s no surprise Brighton is the jewel in the crown of the English south coast.

12 Step Planet: Helsinki

One of the world’s most northern capitals, Finland’s largest city boasts a fantastic nightlife, great architecture and more mobile phones than people.

12 Step Planet: Helsinki

One of the world’s most northern capitals, Finland’s largest city boasts a fantastic nightlife, great architecture and more mobile phones than people...

12 Step Planet: Madrid

The Spanish capital is one of Europe’s entertainment hotspots, with a thriving restaurant scene and fascinating history to boot...

Body & Soul, Live at Ballinlough Castle

Live review: Iron and Wine

Eamonn Seoige gives his verdict on Iron and Wine's performance at The Olympia...

12 Step Planet: Belgrade

The capital of Serbia has recovered from the wars of the ’90s and is now establishing itself as Europe’s party hotspot...

Little Green Cars, live at Vicar Street

Little Green Cars’ blend ‘60s West-Coast pop, folk, blues and experimental rock in a manner that defies conventional genre limitations...

12 Step Planet: New Orleans

Shrugging off the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, ‘the Big Easy’ is regaining its prominence as one of the most diverse and exotic cities in the US...

Death Grips, live at Whelan's Dublin

As the throng disperses into the night, shouts of “best fuckin’ gig ever!” are to be heard from perspiration-drenched fans. I wouldn’t go that far but tonight Death Grips did the business, big style…

12 STEP PLANET: KOSICE

A small city with a big heart, the capital of Eastern Slovakia has lashings of culture, oodles of charm and a cracking nightlife

12 Step Planet: Eindhoven

The Netherlands' very own ‘city of light’, as the home of Philips Eindhoven is famed for its industrial might, its fanatically supported football team and its, er, bike roundabout.

12 Step Planet: Wellington

Hearty food, a laidback lifestyle and ample tourist attractions await those heading for the New Zealand capital. Eamonn Seoige investigates Wellington.

12 Step Planet: Panama

The crossroads of the Americas, there’s more to Panama than the canal! A fantastic party atmosphere, paradise islands and stunning scenery for a start...

12 Step Planet: Düsseldorf

It gave the world Kraftwerk and is a financial and media hub. But in the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia they also know a few things about letting their hair down

12 Step Planet: Marrakech

Eamonn Seoige continues his tireless non-stop race around the globe with a voyage to sunny Marrakech.

The Script

The Academy, Dublin

12 Step Planet: Cleveland

It’s not the most glamorous city in America but, if you know where to look, the Midwestern metropolis is plenty charming, says Eamonn Seoige.

Mumford & Sons, Live At Salthill Park

Judging by the sea of sunburnt, smiling faces, GOTR certainly hit the spot.

The Trinity Ball 2012

A good night was had by all, but this was far from a vintage year’s entertainment.

12 Step Planet: Poznan

The Ireland soccer team will play two crucial Euro 2012 group games here in the summer. But there’s more to the historic heart of Poland than sport and beer. Eamonn Seoige pays Poznan a visit.

Northern Uproar

The recent controversy over the alleged hurling of “racist” abuse at Ulster footballers has highlighted the problem of ‘sledging’ in the GAA.

12 Steps Planet: Philadelphia

It’s the undiscovered jewel of the American North-East, a city steeped in history, with a personality distinctly its own.

The Walls Live

Shadowplay

12 Steps Planet: Marseille

France’s gateway to the Mediterranean, Marseille is determined to shake off its image as a capital of crime and stake its claim as one of the great cities of Southern Europe

12 Step Planet: hamburg

The Venice of the North is famous for its red light district. But there’s more to Hamburg than schnapps and prostitutes.

Are we missing the point?

The ‘payments to managers’ topic masks real issues facing the GAA – as does the recent media kerfuffle over violence at a club game in Portlaoise.

12 Step Planet: Sofia

East meets west in Bulgaria’s wonderfully exotic capital. Eamonn Seoige reports on this largely tourist-free gem.

12 Step Planet: Kiev

The ‘Mother of All Cities’ is having a face-lift in time for next summer’s European Championships. But there’s a lot more to the Ukrainian capital than spanking new soccer stadia.

Rhapsody In Blue

The Hill was alive with the sound of cheering this year as the Dubs reasserted their credentials as a football power by winning the All-Ireland. Star forward Alan Brogan gives Eamonn Seoige the inside story on an historic – and couldn’t-make-it-up dramatic – victory against old foes Kerry.

12 Step Planet: Zagreb

The ‘White City’ of the Balkans is an overlooked tourist gem with stunning medieval architecture and a laid back sensibility – in other words, the perfect place for a weekend break.

12 Step Planet: Salzburg

Small but perfectly formed, Salzburg is famed as the birthplace of Mozart. But even if you don’t like classical music, there’s lots to enjoy in this gorgeously baroque Austrian city.

12 Step Planet: Savannah

If gentility is your thing, get thee to balmy Savannah, Georgia – aka the Hostess City of the South.

12 Step Planet: Auckland

With the eyes of the world on New Zealand as the Rugby World Cup gets into full swing, we take a look at its largest city.

12 Step Planet: Detroit

Motor City USA has garnered a reputation as an edgy and even dangerous spot, but recent years have witnessed a remarkable resurgence in the city’s fortunes.

12 Step Planet: Mexico City

One of the great metropolitan centres, the Mexican capital guarantees a trip you’ll never forget...

12 Step Planet: Ho Chi Minh City

The city formerly known as Saigon will be forever synonymous with the Vietnam war – as far as Westerners are concerned at any rate. But behind the cliches is a teeming metropolis of nine million and South East Asia’s friendliest urban centre to boot.

12 Step Planet : Sarajevo

The scene of fierce ethnic conflict through the ’90s, Bosnia’s capital has bounced back and is now an exotic blend of modern and ancient, east and west

Mirrorwriting

Well worth the extended wait from south London's soulful dubstepper

12 Step Planet: Nairobi

Forget all the negative stuff you’ve heard, Nairobi is a fascinating, easy to navigate and, above all, friendly city to visit.

Belong

A passionate blast of Inide Pop excellence from hotly tipped New Yorkers

Vices & Virtues

Emo kings stutter with odd comeback

12 Step Planet : Montreal

Whether you’re interested in cultural pursuits or good old-fashioned hardcore partying, Montreal has got something for you.

12 Step Planet : Phnom Penh

The pearl of Asia and Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh’s vibrancy is testimony to the country’s recovery from one of the most atrocious genocides of the 20th Century.

He Gets Me High

Dee-Dee Continues To Impress With Progressive EP

12 Step Planet : Munich

Gothic delights and jaw-dropping modern architecture combine to make Germany’s third city a must-visit.

No More Idols

London Duo Reach For The Charts With Disastrous Results.

12 Step Planet : Malaysia

If you’re after cultural and geographic diversity with a side order of beautiful wildlife, Malaysia is your only man.

Live On Ten Legs

Uninspired live anthology from Seattle's great survivors

Ventriloquizzing

F&M Engage In Dreary, Inferior Self-Parody

Valhalla Dancehall

Brighton’s Eccentrics Continue On Their Road Less Travelled.

Death To False Metal

Rivers Cuomo & co rejuvenate some long lost gems

12 Step Planet: Melbourne

Capital of Victoria and Australia's second largest city holds a myriad of possibilities

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

High prince of bad taste delivers unexpected meisterwork

5.0

Cornell Haynes is back with latest dose of crass cliche - sigh!

12 Step Planet - Kenya

A guide to the East African country..

12 Step Planet - Cuba

There is nowhere quite like Cuba, and if you’ve half a mind to go, then go soon!

12 Step Planet: Toronto

Travel guide to the beautiful Canadian city of Toronto

Disc-overy

Tinie turns Titanic with surefire mega-selling debut

We Are Born

Former Zero 7 chanteuse lightens things up

12 Step Planet: Rio de Janeiro

One of the largest and most beautiful cities in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is a place to get to know before the 2012 World Cup heads to the land of the samba

Peppermint Radio

COVERS ALBUMS – DON’T YOU JUST HATE ‘EM!

Immersion

JOIN THE DOTS ROCK/DANCE FORMULA LEAVES THIS LISTENER WEARY.

To the sea

SAME AS IT EVER WAS FROM INOFFENSIVE HAWAIIAN BEACH BUM

Night Train

A HALF-HEARTED ATTEMPT AT re-inventION, with decidedly patchy results.