Phuneral phor a phriend

One of Ireland’s long-running top DJs is hanging up his headphones this month after twelve years at the controls. Phil Boyle - better known under his pseudonym Philth - bows out with an all-night set on Friday June 10 at Kennedys, Dublin after a series of finale gigs over the last two months. A Phuneral For Philth wraps up Phil’s excursions into electro, house and techno over the decade, but will include some anthems from his massively successful residency at Dublin’s premier gay night Mother at Copper Alley. “I’m doing a long set and might even bring out some of my live toys for the night, from my Philth and Seki days.” Phil says. “I haven’t made any decisions about what’s next, only that there won’t be any Philth anymore!”

Find out more at www.facebook.com/aphuneralforphilth.
Lunar Disko are alive and well though, with the DJ collective, label and clubnight celebrating five years next month. To lead up to the occasion, the residents Barry Donovan and Andy Doyle give Friday June 3 at Sweeney Mongrels over to a full five-year retrospective of the clubnight. “We felt it was time to have a Lunar Disko all-nighter featuring the tracks from artists that have made Lunar Disko what it is today, as well as some other favourite producers who have influenced us over the years.” says Barry, “so there’ll be everything from Dutch and Chicago house to italo and disco gems, not to mention a hit or two from our own local boys done good.” For more info, check www.facebook.com/lunardisko.
The biggest leftfield dance event on the west coast, Clare’s annual Bump Festival is heating up with more names added to the bill, including Luca Baumann and Bearweasal. “Last year’s event was such a buzz” says organiser Dan Sykes, “it was good times, good music and good people. We’ve really worked hard on the bill for this year’s Bump, with especially a lot of new and upcoming talent, giving us a chance to celebrate the culture and the music we love. All I can tell you about the venue this year is that it’s in an open prairie in Clare!” Bump Festival is being held on July 23 and 24. For more details, www.bumpfestival.com.
Another outdoor festival that made a big splash on the alternative dance festival circuit - GateWays - is back this September at the same site, Glendalough House, Wicklow. To launch the event, the organisers are holding a three-room bash on Friday 3 June at four venues in Dublin — Sweeney Mongrels, Sheebin Chic, RiRa and The Globe — with a host of DJs covering the festival’s wide range of sounds. For details, check www.facebook.com/gatewaysfestival.
Slo-mo disco and house have been the music agenda for Dublin’s Check The Guns (formerly Brothers On The Slide), the brainchild of two Irish dance veterans Jason O’Callaghan and Fionn Higgins. Their limited edition 12” edits on TapeEdit have proved elusive to get hold of but at their next monthly residency The Yard Sessions at Sing Sing, Dublin on Saturday 4 June they’ll be giving away a few sought-after copies free and it’s first come first served. For more info, www.facebook.com/groovementsoul.
The latest development in dance music, tribute acts, are coming to town this month with doppelgangers of two of dance music’s biggest names - Daft Punk and Deadmau5 - arriving in Ireland. Daft Funk play InOurHonestOpinion at Cypress Avenue in Cork on 25 June while Deadmau5 Night plays tribute to the mouse-headed one at Tigerlilys, Kildare on Saturday 4 June.