The definitive guide to the Bud Rising Festival

See www.budrising.ie for further additions and artist information.

Angie Stone
(Vicar St, Tues 20th)
The rise of Angie Stone has been proof that, in these times of so much manufactured pop and bland mush masquerading as soul, sometimes real talent will out. A link between the future and the past of black music, Stone owes as much to her gospel roots as she does the polished world of R&B. A true star. Rising moment – seeing the Jackson 5 in concert at the age of ten.

Arthur Baker
(Morrison Hotel, Sun 25th)
A club DJ who moved into production, Arthur Baker can rightly claim to have a had in some of the most influential records of all time. From his work in the early days of hip-hop to guiding New Order through the world of New York disco, Baker is a true legend. Rising moment – ‘Planet Rock’; the roots of hip-hop, electro and techno.

Badly Drawn Boy
(The Village, Sun 25th)
In a world where true musical mavericks are in short supply, thank heaven for Damon Gough. What makes him even more loveable is that he combines his more eccentric tendencies with a love of simple, classic songwriting and a desire to be Bruce Springsteen. Rising moment – winning the Mercury Music Prize and immediately losing the cheque.

Beta Band
(Temple Bar Music Centre, Tues 20th) – The story of the Beta Band has been one of maverick spirit and bloody mindedness, massive expectations and several moments of sheer genius. Latest album Heroes To Zeroes is one of the highlights of their career to date, with both band and critics raving about the outcome. Rising moment – ‘Dry The Rain’s appearance in ‘High Fidelity’.

DJ Yoda
(4 Dame Lane, Mon 26th) – As DJ Yoda, Duncan Beiny has a unique selling point all of his own – how many North London Jewish scratch DJs who play George Formby can you name? But the DJ mixes he’s released on his own Antidote label add his own special ingredient to a tired recipe. “I always keep a sense of humour. It’s quite selfish really, because it’s purely for my own amusement.” However, it’s a joke the hip-hop underground have been hugely appreciative of. Rising moment – dropping Europe’s The Final Countdown into the mix.

Blackstrobe
(Crawdaddy, Thurs 29th) – Ivan Smagghe. Resident DJ at the hippest night in Paris ‘Kill the DJ’, Ivan has gained a reputation as a genius behind the decks as well as in the studio, as one half of the legendary production duo BLACKSTROBE, together with Arnaud Rebotni.

Border Crossing
(Spirit, Tues 27th) – The three central figures of Border Crossing are Alex Angol, Seorais Graham and Paul Mulvey who all hail from West London. In the same way that Soul II Soul gave late ‘80s Camden a musical style, and Massive Attack created a voice for Bristol in the early ‘90s, so Border Crossing bring the sounds of West London to the 21st century. Their debut album Ominous comes ladled out of a huge sonic melting pot of musical styles. Rising moment – finally, perhaps genuine UK hip-hop contenders.

The Charlatans
(Whelans, Fri 23rd / Sat 24th) – Yes, this is The Charlatans, playing a venue that’s probably the size of most of their dressing rooms these days. As a result, these just have to be two of the most eagerly anticipated gigs of the summer. Expect it to be rammed, hot and the stuff of legend. Rising moment – ‘The Only One I Know’; still a staple of indie discos the world over.

Clodagh McCann
(Crawdaddy Wed 21st) – Otherwise known as Techno Tramp, McCann specialises in uplifting hard trance, funky tribal house and techno, all presented in her own unique high energy style. Rising moment – featuring in the UTV Joy Of Decks series.

The Concretes
(Temple Bar Music Centre, Thurs 29th) – One of the coolest names to drop at the moment and not without reason, The Concretes bring their ever expanding live show to Dublin for a debut Irish date. Current album The Concretes has been melting hearts all over the place, a mix of Mazzy Star style atmospherics, multi-instrumentation and Diana Ross obsessions. Rising moment – abandoning their strict ‘no rehearsing’ policy for the recording of The Concretes.

Daddy’s Little Princess
(Crawdaddy, Sat 24th) – Hard rock five-piece led by drag queen Enda – a thrilling cross between Queens of the Stone Age and Roxy music. Rising moment – outsleazing the Scissor Sisters at their recent show together.

David Kitt
(Crawdaddy, Thurs 22th)
If anyone can be held responsible for the upsurge in solo singer songwriters over here, it is perhaps Kitt – one of the first of the new breed to prove that sensitive soul searching could reach a mass audience. He’s
moved on since then, of course, but at the heart of all the sounds still lies a unique personal vision. Rising moment – emerging from his bedroom with Small Moments.

Death Disco
(Voodoo Lounge, Mon 26th)
Death Disco has swept through the club scene like a breath of fresh air. Hosted by Alan McGee and BP Fallon, its mix of rock, punk, glam and guest DJs now has a firm hold in London as well as here in Dublin. Rising moment – Shane MacGowan behind the decks, leg in plaster, in a wheelchair.

De La Soul
(Spirit, Tue 27th)
De La Soul announced their arrival on the hip-hop scene with the spectacularly innovative classic debut album. Since then, the group have maintained the momentum generated by their debut with a string of truly outstanding singles, including ‘Held Down’ and ‘Ooh’. This is a gig guaranteed to delight hip-hop veterans and pop-kids alike.
Rising moment – 3FT. High & Rising

Dirty Three
(Vicar St, Mon 26th / The Village, Tues 27th)
Dirty Three are a staggering display of Post-Rock perfection. Conducted by violinist Warren Ellis, notes seem to plead across the stage like the last few rays of sunshine across the water at sunset. Graduates of the Nick Cave school of doomed romantic pop, Dirty Three are a hugely compelling live outfit. Rising moment: Performing a live ‘soundtrack’ to Carl Dreyer’s classic film The Passion of Joan Of Arc, with Nick Cave, at the National Film Theatre, London.

DJ Arveene
(The Bank, College Green, Sat 24th)
Having grown up in and around the music industry, Arveene is one of Ireland’s most talented and prodigious DJs. As voted by the public, Arveene is currently Ireland’s NO. 1 DJ on the Clubbing.com website’s DJ Chart. Combining Booty Shakin’ Electro with Hard Jackin House Music, Arvo has been rockin’ clubs like Dublin’s POD and Kitchen since he was 16. Rising moment – debut trips to New York, South Africa and Poland.

DJ Format
(Crawdaddy, Tues 27th)
At a time when DJs are still taking themselves far too seriously, thank the lord for Brighton’s Format. His approach to making music is refreshingly scattershot – one track is titled ‘Charity Shop Soundclash’ – and he isn’t far off being the hip hop equivalent of near neighbour Fat Boy Slim. Rising moment – getting Jurassic 5’s Chali 2Na and Akil on his Music For The Mature B-Boy album.

DJ Morgan
(Pravda, Thurs 22nd) – Recognized as America’s HardNRG Pioneer, Morgan has established himself at the forefront of this exciting music. His dedication to the UK Hard House and Nu-NRG genre is evident with each new project. Rising moment – founded Hardnrg.com, America’s primary dance website.

Duke Spirit
(Temple Bar Music Centre, Thurs 22nd)
Many bands claim to practise the dark arts of rock’n’roll, but hardly any truly understand them. The Duke Spirit – a five-piece from London – are one of the few that do. Since their inception in 2002, they’ve been locked away, slaving over their own unique and jagged take on the history of rock’n’roll music, from the Velvets and Nico through to Patti Smith and The Gun Club. Rising moment – debut single, ‘Darling, You’re Mean’.

Erol Alkan
(Crawdaddy, Wed 21st) – Erol Alkan is the DJ/promoter of Trash – London’s most talked about club -and The Face’s UK club of the year 2001. His anarchic booty-licious style cross-pollinates pop and acid house and has won him fans at every gig he plays from Bugged Out! to The End, from The Boutique to Fabric, to Culture Club in Belmondo and the occasional catwalk. Rising moment – the bootleg mix of ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’.

Fair Verona
(Bruxelles, Sun 25th) – Since moving from their native Kilkenny to the capital, Fair Verona have been making all the right noises. Those with a misty eyed nostalgia for the harmony powered rock of the Breeders, Superchunk and Veruca Salt will find huge amounts to love here. Rising moment – debut six track demo that started tongues wagging.

Freelance Hellraiser
(Crawdaddy, Thurs 29th) – While most of those responsible for the bootleg phenomenon seem not to venture beyond their bedroom door, Freelance Hellraiser has emerged as the public face of the cut ‘n’ paste genre, with his most famous mixes even being paraded across the airwaves. Rising moment – A Stroke Of Genius, the most famous bootleg of the last few years.

Goodtime John
(The Village, Sat 24th)
If the sound of Dublin can be characterised by either the singer songwriter or the experimental lo-fi artist, Goodtime John is one of the few to sit somewhere in the middle. His music starts from a very personal level, before John adds layers of sound and inspiration – quite often with a cast featuring the great and the good from the capital – before ending up in a unique, darkly beautiful place. Rising moment – heading off for his debut US tour with guitar in hand and no real idea where he was going; they loved him.

Grandaddy
(The Village, Sat 24th)
Modesto, California’s Grandaddy are legends of the US underground. Self-recorded and produced, the band’s singer/ringleader Jason Lytle mixes and mashes keyboards, found sounds and traditional rock instruments into densely layered, textured pop songs. Heralded as Lo-Fi geniuses for quite some time, they have inched their way towards the mainstream by way of some magnificent singles, including ‘Sumday’ and ‘Hewlett’s Daughter’.. Rising moment – achieving success this side of the Atlantic before their own countrymen had any clue whatsoever.

Grand Central DJs
(Whelan’s, Wed 21th)
Rob Smith’s name is synonymous with the ‘Bristol Sound’ of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Along with Ray Mighty and later on Peter D Rose they produced and remixed under the name Smith & Mighty, going on to produce Massive Attack’s ‘Any Love’ and Fresh Four’s ‘Wishing On A Star’. Later remixes included ‘Dub Be Good To Me’ by Beats International, ‘Manchild’ By Nenah Cherry, The Fine Young Cannibals, Towa Tei, Sly & Robbie, Statik Sound System, M People and others. Rising moment – being at the heart of the scene that produced Massive Attack, Portishead et al.

Guggenheim Grotto
(Foggy Dew, Mon 26th)
The Guggenheim Grotto is a beautiful thing indeed. While currently consisting of two members, Kevin May from Mayo and Dubliner Mick Lynch, the line-up is generally augmented by drummer Shane, and often by an eclectic mix of many other renowned musicians. Rising moment – receiving the patronage of Waterboy Steve Wickham.

Headzinc Collective
(The Village, Fri 23rd)
The idea of DJs forming bands is not normally the greatest, but Johnny Moy’s Headzinc have proved the exception to the rule, a thrilling mix of punk, funk and rock. Rising moment – debuting at the 2002 Witnness Festival.

Herbaliser
(Viperoom, Fri 23rd)
Few hip-hop crews would have the nerve to record an album live in the studio, yet London duo Herbaliser took that approach for their fourth record Something Wicked This Way Comes. Featuring strings, guitars, drums and their own Easy Access Orchestra brass section, it demonstrated not only what could be done with the genre, and showed that the duo of Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba are determined never to stand still with their music. Rising moment – heading out on a 350 date, 21 country tour for their Very Mercenary album.

Ian Brown
(The Village, Fri 23rd)
Living with a legacy is never easy and the former members of the Stone Roses have found it harder than most. Brown has, unsurprisingly, been the most successful but has also had a chequered time, taking in a prison sentence, fatherhood and a series of great records. Oh, and playing a wizard in the Harry Potter film! Rising moment – “I don’t need to sell my soul”… nothing would be the same ever again.

Ikara Colt
(Temple Bar Music Centre, Thurs 22nd)
Part of the UK’s answer to the worldwide love affair with garage rock, Ikara Colt cast their net a little further than most to take in influences from the likes of the Fall and Sonic Youth. In the vanguard of the new generation of garage rock heroes. Rising moment – being picked up by legendary US punk label Epitaph.

Laura Isabor
(Vicar St, Tues 20th) – Competition winners of any sort have a notoriously precarious future, yet sixteen year old Laura Isabor seems to be riding the storm nicely. As a result, she has already been compared by those in the know to a younger Alicia Keys, and on occasion, Samantha Mumba. But rather than follow the tried-and-tested pop puppet route, Laura is instead pursuing a more adult and discerning approach to her music, and has already professed an interest in producing and writing all of her own material. Rising moment – supporting Jamie Cullum.

James Yorkston & The Athletes
(Crawdaddy, Wed 28th) –
Born and raised in the Fife village of Kingsbarns – a make-your-own-entertainment kind of place – James has been following musical pursuits since the age of 8. He followed a girlfriend out of the village to settle in Edinburgh at the age of 17, inspired by his love of music like Madagascan guitarist D’Gary and folk singer Anne Briggs. His own work is in a similarly sublime, uplifting vein. Rising moment – having John Peel play his homemade demo tape on air, leading to his deal with Domino.

Jape
(Crawdaddy, Thurs 22nd)
Given the amount of cross-pollination in the Dublin music scene, it should come as no surprise that Jape is the work of the Redneck Manifesto’s Richie Egan. Taking the experimental approach of TRM and applying it to a slightly different format, the project has rapidly expanded to rival the band for Egan’s attention. Rising moment – the release of debut album Cosmosphere.

Jenny Lindfors
(Foggy Dew, Mon 26th)
Jenny’s earliest encounters with music were shaped by her father’s collection of southern rock, rhythm and blues, folk, soul and funk albums. From these early revelations she has honed her own music, rich in impressionistic swirls of finger-plucked acoustic guitar and mesmeric vocal harmonies, woven with bluesy patterns. Rising moment: appearing on the soundtrack to the Stephen Rea film ‘The Halo Effect’.

Jessie & Layla
(Bruxelles, Sun 25th)
Dublin based sisters Jessie and Layla popped their musical cherries on the local music scene, garnering much respect amongst their contemporaries, David Kitt, Nina Hynes, Paddy Casey, Mundy et al, for their breathtaking close harmony singing. Not wishing to merely trail the singer-songwriter bandwagon, Jessie and Layla have set about finding their own musical feet. Their sound has evolved and diversified over the last number of years combining digital technology and folk based roots to produce an eclectic sound – familiar to the ear, yet very, very different. Rising moment – storming last year’s Lisdoovarna festival, albeit very quietly.

Johnny Moy
(Crawdaddy Wed 21st / Voodoo, Mon 26th)
Johnny has been in the music business since 1993. Recognised as Ireland’s leading DJ and promoter when dance music was at its peak in the late nineties, he has tuned his talents past the turntables to producing, marketing and A&R activities. Of course, working with leading international talents like The Chemical Bros, DJ Shadow, Howie B, Groove Armada, Death in Vegas, Kruder and Dorfmeister and many more has given him great experience and entrée to the best in the Music Industry. He has remixed David Holmes, U2 (twice), Bell X1, Consolidated and Millenia Nova and was personally chosen as tour DJ for The Chemical Brothers’ world tour and Death In Vegas’ UK tour. Rising moment – providing the soundtrack for the annual St Patrick’s Festival firework display.

Kate Rogers
(Whelans, Wed 21st)
Lured from her classical training at the age of 17 by the twin loves of hip-hop and bluegrass, Toronto born Kate Rogers is a traditional musician with a difference, in the sense that Nina Simone, Neil Young and Ani Difranco are traditional musicians. An old head on young shoulders, Rogers’ gigs are usually spellbinding affairs. Rising moment – signing to the Grand Central label.

Lali Puna
(Temple Bar Music Centre, Fri 23rd)
Hailing from Munich, Lali Puna was put together in 1998 by Valerie Trebeljahr when her previous band split. Adding various members and instruments along the way, the band have developed a sound that is steeped in European electronica but with the added bonus that they’re seriously good live. Don’t expect the standard bloke in glasses behind a lap top. Rising moment – working with Bomb The Bass.

The Leah Wood Group
(Bruxelles, Sun 25th)
Leah Wood has taken advice from her Rolling Stones star dad Ronnie as she embarks on a new musical career – but has vowed to remain her own woman. The 25-year-old fronts unsigned band the Leah Wood Group, and has appreciated having a dad who can offer her specialist advice on the industry – but is adamant she will prove herself independently. Rising moment – keeping her own identity.

London Elektricity
(Sin, Thurs 22nd)
Since their inception in 1999, London Elektricity have stamped their mark on the UK drum & bass scene, not only through their DJ sets but via their own records and mixes – debut album Pull The Plug is widely considered to be the benchmark release for the genre. Rising moment – their monthly East End club night, Hospitality.

Mainline
(Redbox, Tues 20th)
Formed in Dublin, 2001 Mainline have had a meteoric rise, winning plaudits and band competitions along the way for their dark hearted guitar music. Rising moment – recent gigs with guest DJs David Holmes, Johnny Moy and The Thrills.

Manitoba
(Redbox, Tues 20th)
Despite being the work of a your classic studio head, Start Breaking My Heart, the debut longplayer for 22 year-old Canadian boffin Dan Snaith, is hardly an outing of cold, scholarly electro precision. Instead, Snaith, aka Manitoba, charts a set of busy and woven rhythms that move with jazzy intonation through realms of funky electro-abstraction. And, as if to signify the wholesomeness of the whole, the set is littered with a litany of organic instruments; double-bass, trumpet, hand-percussion, guitar, voice. Essential listening. Rising moment – Snaith is a masters educated mathematician.

Mark Rae
(Whelans, Wed 21st)
Boss of Grand Central records and part time DJ/music maker extraordinaire, Mark Rae has achieved a lot more in his tender years than most ordinary superheroes put together. His first band, Rae & Christian pushed the jazz / hip-hop fusion further than most and now working as a solo artist, Rae is ploughing his own highly individual furrow to stellar effect. Rising moment – Rae & Christian’s acclaimed ‘Sleepwalking’.

Mikki D
(Spirit, Tues 27th)
Hailing from Welllington , Mikki D is the self described ‘Raptablist’(rapping turntablist). Fusing the skills used for competitions(1999 NZ ITF runner up) with an eclectic musical selection, Mikki built a reputation as one of NZ’s favourite party DJs in the late 90’s. In July 2000 he was selected as one of 60 DJs worldwide to attend the Redbull Music Academy in Dublin/Ireland. Based in Dublin since then he has toured regularly in Ireland, Switzerland and Germany and has been NZ’s representative judge at the World DMC DJ Championships in London 2000 and 2001. Rising moment – the arrival in Ireland of brother Captain Kirk, giving his live show a brand new dimension.

Mozaik
(Vicar Street Mon 26th, The Village Tues 27th)
An eight piece improvisational band, Mozaik draw from the roots of Jewish Soul Music and their own world wanderings. Blending the sounds of Klezmer, Ancient Middle Eastern melodies with jazz sensibilities and a jamming approach that fuses African tribal trance to the psychedelic explosion born out of their native Northern California, they are an intriguing example of the global musical village. Rising moment – playing alongside Jane’s Addiction in San Francisco.

Nathan Haines
(Ron Blacks Wed 28th)
The product of a family steeped in jazz, Haines toured his native New Zealand with his brother Joel before moving to the Northern Hemisphere at the age of 19 to immerse himself in the study of the music and start exploring its fusion with dance rhythms. Rising moment – joining New York jazz / dance group Groove Collective.

Nina Hynes
(Vicar Street, Tues 27th)
Long one of the unsung stars of the Dublin music scene, Hynes is slowly but surely moving towards wider acclaim. Hypnotic and smooth as silk., her unique brand of somnambular blues makes for an exhilarating live experience. Rising moment – debut album Staros.

Phil Asher
(Ron Black’s, Wed 28th)
One of the UK’s most exciting new DJs in the UK, Phil Asher has been instrumental in shaping the distinctive sound of West London, the mix of jazz, Latin, funk and house. Rising moment – began dealing in second hand records at the age of eight.

Primal Scream
(Redbox, Tues 20th)
The Scream Team have had so many guises over the years that it’s hard to say where they’ll head next. For the moment, however, they seem to have settled on the notion of dark, confrontational rock, which should sound suitably awesome in the Red Box. Rising moment – goodbye jangly guitars; hello drugs, Andy Weatherall and a Rolling Stones fixation.

The Redsettaz
(Pravda, Thurs 22nd)
Better known as one half of the Redsettaz with Dave, Barry Redsettaz has been DJing for the past seven years. He cut his teeth in noted indie club Psychedelia in Galway many moons ago, Thankfully, he soon left this behind and moved to Dublin, where he began playing in and around UCD. He hooked up with Dave here in 1997 and formed Redsettaz. Barry is also A+R rep for Sony Records and works for the Daily Star as a sub editor. Rising moment – New Years Eve 1999 at Influx, the first night of their residency.

Roy The Roach
(Metro Bar, Fri 23rd)
It was back in the mid ‘80s that Roy started his own eclectic club night Upstairs at Ronnie Scotts called Quaff. From this came the record shop of the same name, dedicated purveyors of the most upfront dance music London had ever seen and Roy’s elevation to the role of DJ’s DJ. A true dance legend. Rising moment – joining Jamiroquai as tour DJ.

Roni Size Live in the Mix featuring Dynamite MC
(Spirit, Thurs 22nd)
Having taken drum ‘n’ bass to the mainstream, Roni Size’s public profile may have diminished but he has been no less active, continuing to work with his Reprazent collective, of whom Dynamite MC is a core member. A crew who delight in welcoming you to their sonic jungle, The Roni Size posse are sure to take the expressway direct to your skull. Rising moment – the post-Mercury Music Prize sound tracking of all the coolest dinner parties.

Ryan Shaw
(Traffic, Sat 24th)
Ex-skater boy Ryan Shaw has been DJing in and around his hometown of Halifax for 8 years now. Playing at the Tramshed and Beyond Beach Babylon in Huddersfield, Ryan calls his style of music “filtered sounds, squeaks, bleeps and b…b…b… bass lines!” Rising moment – winning the UTV ‘Joy Of Decks’ series.

Thinktoy
(Market Bar, Tues 20th)
From a small flat in Dublin, Ireland you can find the Thinktoy HQ; a hive of activity 24 hours a day. It is here that Thinktoy spends the time re-arranging and manipulating found sounds and music that are sourced through various forms of electronic media, and the results are staggering, head-spinning and not a little groundbreaking. Rising moment – posting countless free downloads on his website; truly music of the people.

The Mighty Stef
(Eammon Doran, Sat 28th)
In the summer of 2002 Stefan Murphy, lead singer with Dublin sleazy punk-popsters The Subtonics began to use any downtime he had from his own band to play one man acoustic support slots with some of his favourite contemporary Dublin bands. What started off as a bit of extra curricular fun developed into something a little more serious as audiences began to warm to the songs and to the man himself (a charming rogue of vast proportion). Rising moment – stealing the show at last year’s Hard Working Class Heroes.

Tu-Ki
(Spirit, Tues 27th)
Current Irish DMC & ITF Champion of 2003, Tu-ki is a special kind of DJ. The heavy weights of the turntablist fraternity (like Roc Raider, Q-bert and Dj Craze) motivated Tuki to push his abilities as a battle DJ to its fullest and become the best at his game. This saw the young Dub prove himself on the world stage where he made it to the last and best 12 in the 2003 world championships. Rising moment – playing alongside the godfather of all DJs, Grandmaster Flash.

TY
(Whelans, Wed 21st)
Born in London to a Nigerian family, Ty is fast developing into one of the most distinct voices in UK music. Drawing on his African roots as well as other influences, he has worked alongside the Dead Prez, Sizzla and Damon Albarn. Rising moment – touring with Tony Allen, drummer with Fela Kuti.

Warlords Of Pez
(Crawdaddy, Sun 25th)
Their Sole Purpose: the annihilation of all intelligent beings unfortunate enough to cross their paths. These handsome hooded anti-heroes by means of their own particular brand of Sonic Terrorism intend to wipe the collective smiles from the faces of ALL MANKIND and bring about the end of civilisation as we know it. Rising moment – live cover of Justin’s ‘Like I Love You’, while wearing giraffe masks.