Delorentos played out a great set at the Indiependence festival in Mitchelstown.  This was one of my favourite acts of the day, possibly because the lads seemed to enjoy themselves which always makes for a good gig.  Perhaps their planned split earlier this year which subsequently didn’t go ahead has given them a new lease of life.  Long may it last!  I’m now looking forward to the release of their second album.

A few more photos in the full set on Flickr.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)
• August 14, 2009 -- Fred at Indiependence (0)

Ian Whitty was on the Cyprus Avenue stage at the Indiependence Festival in Mitchelstown last weekend.  We had just arrived at the mudfest where the festival was located this year when we heard Ian playing so we ambled over to the tent housing the Cyprus Avenue stage.  The crowds had yet to appear at this stage of the afternoon but Ian and his band put on a great show for those present.  His second album from last year ‘Lucky Caller No 9′ is still one of my favourites and has a special place on my mp3 player.

I have a few more photos in the full set on Flickr.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• September 20, 2008 -- The Blizzards at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• August 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)

Grand Pocket Orchestra played a couple of weeks ago in The Pavilion in Cork as part of the weekly Bootleg series.  I was looking forward to seeing this band and I must say I was surprised at how young this band is. Don’t get me wrong, their music is not aged or old-man-ish but some of the tunes are so well structured and catchy that I would have expected a band that had been around the block a few times.  Odd Socks is the first track I heard from them well over a year ago which was the main reason for seeing them.  They have another few stand-out tracks such as Get Go and Using the Body.  However on the night they played a number of tracks which are not so well thought out or crisp.  I reckon they need to decide is it the pure happy pop route they want to go down or something a bit heavier.

This is one of the first times I’ve tidied up photos with a bit of cloning; the top two photos had plenty of mic stands and wires all over the place.  While it does take a bit of time I think it’s worth it.  Check out a couple of more photos in the full set on Flickr.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• March 2, 2009 -- Paddy Keenan at De Barra’s (0)
• February 9, 2009 -- Mick Flannery at Cork Opera House 2008 (0)
• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)

Mick Flannery played the Lodge two weeks ago as part of the tour to launch his second album White Lies.  Mick Flannery has been touring quite a lot in the last couple of years which was evident by the full house at The Lodge.  While he hasn’t lost his bashfulness on stage, he seems to take it all in his stride now.

Tomorrow’s Paper, which I believe is the first single from the album White Lies, has been getting a lot of airplay on local and national radio so it seems Mick Flannery is getting the recognition he deserves outside of Cork, where he has been selling out shows for a few years now.  That song is a bit more upbeat than songs from his debut album and overall I think White Lies is a more varied and considered album.  There seems to a be an avalanche of good Irish bands releasing strong albums at the moment.  While you’re in town (or online) buying this album, why not pick up Ian Whitty’s second album too, From the Word Go from Messiah J and the Expert, Go God Go from Fred, and Honeycomb Moons from Armoured Bear.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• October 23, 2008 -- Clare O’Mahony at The Lodge in Mallow (0)
• September 20, 2008 -- The Blizzards at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• August 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)

Ian Whitty released his long-awaited second album Lucky Caller No 9 with a bang last week in the Pavilion.  It’s an edgier, more energetic production than his first offering Will o’ the Wisp with stand-out tracks such as Houndstooth Shirt and Fallen Stars (In Late Night Bars) already getting quite a bit of radio airplay.  There are throwbacks to the more subtle and softer tones of the debut album with the gorgeous The Family is Still Young and the delectable She Knocks Me Out.  Can you guess I’m a fan?

I was looking forward to the gig for many reasons: first time photographing a gig in the Pavilion which was very impressive; getting my grubby hands on Lucky Caller No 9; and finally to see Armoured Bear playing support.  Unfortunately we didn’t get in to see Armoured Bear but it’s another gig to get to in the near future.  Armoured Bear also have an album recently launched which is high on my wish-list.  Amoured Bear a.k.a. Anto plays drums for Ian Whitty so I managed to get a few shots of him all the same.

There’s another review of the gig here by the fine folk at Drop-d.ie, who also have a review of the album, as do Red Track Music and Good Seed PR.  I just noticed that Ian Whitty has his very own Facebook page so do a search for him if you’re on that (not sure about linking to Facebook pages when I’m logged in…).

See more photos in the full set on Flickr.  Oh, and go and buy the album, it’s in the shops on Friday Ocobter 24th.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• July 5, 2008 -- Ian Whitty and The Exchange at The Spiegeltent (4)
• May 24, 2008 -- Aaron Dillon Album Launch at the Triskel (2)
• August 9, 2009 -- Ian Whitty at Indiependence (2)

The Blizzards headlined the recent(ish) Indie-Pendence Festival in Mitchelstown on the last night of the festival.  This festival just gets better each year, well done to Shane Dunne and all involved with putting a free festival together with such great acts.  The Blizzards have truly come of age with a fine second album recently released although I’m not convinced by their choice of first single.  There are many other stronger choices for singles on Domino Effect.  Judging by the reaction the lads got from the crowd the album should be selling well.  I just bought it yesterday, along with Mick Flannery’s White Lies which has been playing non-stop so I’m afraid I only listened to Domino Effect straigh through once.  At the gig one of the photographers was certainly smitten by lead singer Niall Breslin, she just smiled her way around the front of the stage taking photographs and even proclaimed “I think I’m in love”.  I don’t get it, sweaty hairy fecker that he is .

Some more photos in the full set on Flickr.  The Blizzards are back in Cork on October 2 when they play the Savoy.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• August 10, 2008 -- Fight Like Apes at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (1)
• August 30, 2008 -- Ham Sandwich at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (1)

Ham Sandwich made a welcome return to the Indie-Pendence festival following a fine display last year.  Their debut album “Carry the Meek” has been out for a while now and is well worth picking up.  They’re playing at Electric Picnic today and seem to have a few gigs coming up in September around Ireland.  Check out their MySpace for mor info.

More photos in the full set on Flickr.  I’m almost done with photos from this festival although I have lingering from last year’s festival so I might dig them out.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• September 20, 2008 -- The Blizzards at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)

The Flaws played on the Sunday evening of the recent Mitchelstown Music Festival.  They are a band I’ve liked for a while since buying their album “Achieving Vagueness”.  I know it’s unfair to keep making comparisons with other bands but they have a sound very similar to that of The Killers.  This is no bad thing and the album is well worth checking out if you are into this type of music.  It’s not ground-breaking but it’s well produced and instantly catchy.  I’d expect to hear a lot more from the band in the coming year.  Check out their MySpace for a few tracks.

See more photos in the full set on Flickr.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• September 20, 2008 -- The Blizzards at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• August 30, 2008 -- Ham Sandwich at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (1)

Zany Cork band Fred played on Saturday in Mitchelstown at the Indie-Pendence festival. It must be almost 8 years since I saw them play first when I was in college. While they may have lost some hair and filled out a bit, they haven’t lost that great stage presence and the ability to put on a great show. Their most recent album, Go God Go, has seen their music go to another level but they also played the oldies on Saturday. Go listen to them on their MySpace and purchase one of their albums in your local record shop. Do it for the kids.

A few more photos in the full set on Flickr.

By the way, apparently they will be on the Ray D’Arcy show tomorrow (Fri) morning on TodayFM.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• September 20, 2008 -- The Blizzards at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• August 30, 2008 -- Ham Sandwich at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (1)
• August 17, 2008 -- The Flaws at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (2)

Ian Whitty and his band were up next on stage in the Spiegeltent after Cian and Aaron Dillon almost two weeks ago.  I’ve seen Ian Whitty play numerous times over the years and he is now a more rounded and complete artist.  His debut album Will o’ the Wisp is more softly spoken and subtle than the rockier sound he and his band now display.  Having said that the later music still has the fantastically clever and imaginative wordplay so evident on Will o’ the Wisp.  The next album is coming out later on this year and it’s one I can’t wait to get my hands on; songs like Houndstooth Shirt and Not on Your Side are already instantly recognisable at his gigs.  You can currently check out these songs on his MySpace.

The phone above is part of the props used in case you’re wondering!  There are more photos in the full set.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• July 6, 2008 -- Ger Wolfe and the New Skylarks at The Spiegeltent (0)
• June 28, 2008 -- Aaron Dillon at The Spiegeltent (3)
• June 25, 2008 -- Cian at The Spiegeltent (3)