We were watching Tim Minchin on the telly back in July and just for the laugh Googled him to see if he was playing anytime soon.  We were heading up to Dublin for the U2 concert on the Saturday and sure enough Tim Minchin was playing on Sunday as part of the Carlsberg Comedy Festival.  I don’t think much needs to be said about this genius except to say that his show absolutely wowed us.

As if the musical comedic delights of Tim Minchin weren’t enough for us, Des Bishop was the 2nd headliner on the bill.  I’ve never seen Des live but I’ve enjoyed his shows on telly, each concept show getting that bit more involved and entertaining.  He’s got a certain stage presence and while he didn’t play any instrument, he toyed with the audience.  In particular, one lady who wanted to take part in the show after one too many glasses of wine.  Her “I paid for you” comment was the ultimate invitation to take the complete mickey out of her and Des obliged to everybody’s delight except hers.  Is binn béal ina thost, as the good man would say himself.

Michael Mee was the MC for the evening.  The Corkman did a fine job of getting the crowd in the mood with his self-deprecating style.  I wouldn’t mind seeing him in action doing his own show.

There was a great buzz around the Iveagh Gardens where the festival was held.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)
• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• September 20, 2008 -- The Blizzards at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)

The Franks played down at the Indiependence festival in Mitchelstown again this year.  They’re ever-present at this festival and while you might say that you’re seeing the same bands this year but now have to pay for it, the multi-stage festival has a lot more bands packed into the schedule which makes it well worth it.  I wonder what the plans are for next year.

But getting back to the Franks, this wasn’t one of their best performances I thought.  Perhaps the vibe in the tent was one of relief to be out of the rain but most weren’t the fanatical Franks fans you’d expect to see at their gigs.  To say it wasn’t their best performance is a little unfair; the gig atmosphere wasn’t ideal but that wasn’t down to them.  You’ll always get a mix of fans at performances in a festival scenario which I’m sure people will experience this weekend at Electric Picnic.  I hope to get to the Franks gig when they hopefully play their annual Christmas gig in Cork.

See a few more photos in the full set.

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• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• August 10, 2009 -- Wallis Bird at Indiependence (5)
• August 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)

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)

The Villagers are one of the bands I was really looking forward to at the recent Indiependence.  I had heard quite a bit of their music and of course I was a fan of The Immediate who I saw in Cyprus Avenue.  I was well impressed with the performance and I must try pick up their EP ‘Hollow Kind’.  For those of you heading to Electric Picnic, this is one act to catch.

There are a few more photos in the full set.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)
• August 21, 2009 -- Delorentos at Indiependence (2)
• August 14, 2009 -- Fred at Indiependence (0)

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.

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• 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.

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• 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)

The delectable Gemma Hayes headlined on Friday night at the Mitchelstown Music Festival, Indie-Pendence. Gemma Hayes is one of those artists who seems to have been around for an age and whose music is instantly recognisable so it was great to finally see her live. Even the rain held off, as it has done for the rest of the festival so far, touch wood. I also caught Rulers of the Planet and The Kinetiks on Friday, photos to come this week. Shamefully, I still have photos of last years festival lingering on my hard drive which never made it here so I’m trying to get this year’s photos up straight away.

See more photos in the full set on Flickr. Also, check out some tracks from Gemma on her MySpace.

An odd thing I stumbled upon when looking up her site, I went to http://gemmahayes.com without the www and it re-directs to http://gemmahayes.com/Store/DisplayItems-1-0.html which is actually a Supergrass online store at http://www.supergrassrus.com/Store/DisplayItems-1-0.html. Something odd up me thinks.

I’m looking forward to seeing The Blizzards headline tonight. Let’s just hope that rain stays away.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• September 20, 2008 -- The Blizzards at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• August 13, 2008 -- Cathy Davey at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (1)
• August 10, 2008 -- Fight Like Apes at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (1)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSePZqnlo-o

Mitchelstown Music Festival, Indie-Pendence, is back again this year at the start of August with another fantastic line-up. Where else would you see all these bands play on the same weekend and for free? Check out the vid above for a selection of the bands playing in this years festival.

Gemma Hayes, The Kinetiks, Rulers of the Planet, We Should Be Dead, The Vital Spark, Cathy Davey, Fight Like Apes, The Chapters, Fred, Dirty Epics, Travega, New Amusement, Supermodel Twins, The Blizzards, Ham Sandwich, The Flaws, The Laundry Shop, Alphastates, Hope is Noise & Sweet Jane, Giveamanakick, The Aftermath, Vesta Varro.

Update: Times of the festival this weekend.  Who do you want to see most?

Friday August 1

1930 The Vital Spark
2010 We Should Be Dead
2050 Rulers of The Planet
2110 The Kinetiks
2230 Gemma Hayes

Saturday August 2

1700 Supermodel Twins
1735 New Amusement
1810 Travega
1850 Dirty Epics
2000 The Chapters
2045 FRED
2130 Fight Like Apes
2230 Cathy Davey

Sunday August 3

1700 Bravado
1735 Sweet Jane
1810 Hope is Noise
1850 Alphastates
2000 The Laundry Shop
2045 The Flaws
2130 Ham Sandwich
2230 The Blizzards

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 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)