Booka Brass Band
Mixing New Orleans-style big-band jazz with a decidedly 21st century hip-hop edge, this Dublin-based octet have been hand-picked to collaborate with everyone from The Frames to Jerry Fish, as well as scorching their share of earth on a nationwide tour that placed them firmly on the map. Their EP Make That Do Noise ensured that even people who’d chosen the underside of a boulder as their dwelling were informed of their excellence, and audiences from Glastonbury to Stradbally have now experienced the awesomeness that is a Booka Bash. It’s not advisable that you allow the weekend to pass without doing the same.
Cloud Castle Lake
Despite prompting all manner of raised eyebrows and approving nods since their emergence as fresh-faced schoolboys, Cloud Castle Lake have bided their time in releasing material. Last year’s Dandelion EP gave us a taste of what to expect, fearlessly straddling orchestral might and ethereal opacity. Single ‘A Wolf Howling’ betrayed an ambition and scope scarcely believable for a band of their relative youth and inexperience. It’s little wonder that attendees of the recent CMJ showcase in New York were falling over themselves to catch a glimpse of the Dublin trio, and we recommend you do your damnedest to follow suit.
Le Galaxie
What a year it’s been for effervescent synth merchants - and Hot Press cover stars! - Le Galaxie. If the “greatest live act in the country” tag was becoming a cliche (only because it’s so true), 2015 found the Dublin outfit setting the record straight – these guys can rock the studio too. Le Club, their first album to get a physical release courtesy of Universal, is a stunning collection of immaculate-sounding tunes. From the cinematic, shimmering ‘Put The Chain On’ and retooled ‘Love System’ to radio hit ‘Carmen’ and the twin joys of ‘AM LA’ and ‘PM LA’, Le Club is an epic achievement described in the pages of this very publication as “a magnificent tour de force, assembled from powerful, vintage bleeps and chirrups.” We already know what they can do on stage. Pair that with crystallised, classic-sounding songs and the confidence that comes with turning in a world-beating LP? Let the good times roll…
Trinity Orchestra
As you might expect from Ireland’s only fully student-run orchestra, these guys often like to think outside of the classical box and get more than a little experimental. In recent years, they’ve brought their highly-trained musicianship to bear on the back catalogues of some of the biggest rock and electronic acts of all time, tackling the likes of Daft Punk, Arcade Fire, Sigur Ros and Radiohead on stage, and have become festival favourites around the country. At Metropolis, Trinity Orchestra take on LCD Soundsystem. What orchestral wonders will they work with James Murphy’s hip, hugely-influential numbers? Wait and see.
White Collar Boy
A self-described “electronic-garage” twosome from the capital, White Collar Boy formed close to a half-decade ago when Gavin White and Mark Cummins had a chance encounter at Primavera in Barcelona. They’ve been comfortable in a festival setting ever since, turning in strong sets at the likes of Longitude and Body & Soul over the years, and most recently at Disco Regatta in Carrick-on- Shannon. New track ‘Priory Hall’ debuted in the summer and confirmed their Midas touch is definitely still intact. With a couple of well-received EPs already under their collective belt, that debut LP is on the way... Get a taste of things to come from their “post-nothing” sound before everyone else at Metropolis.