The Goo 1
Gig Previews OMNI - Recommends ANGIE MCLAUGHLIN -
RATHFARNHAM CASTLE - APRIL 11TH Catch the number 16 bus out to this gorgeous venue to see acclaimed Scottish folk singer/songwriter Angie McLaughlin showcasing songs from her recent ‘The Boy Is Gone’ album which was produced by Martin Stephenson. Angie is a founder member of the shanty lovin’ Sick and Indigent Song Club and Minnie and the Illywhackers, a wonderful outfit who specialise in vintage pop and ukulele swing. DOGPOND - THE COBBLE STONE - APRIL 13TH Former members of the oft missed Dublin southern boogie 5 piece The Hot Sprockets have reconvened to present Dogpond, a band with a groove reminiscent of the brilliant 60’s band The Lovin’ Spoonful. Their debut single ‘Kilnamanagh Blues’ sets the template, dubby bass and cool organs backing soulful vocals with ace harmonies. OMNI - WORKMAN’S CELLAR - APRIL 14TH Atlanta three piece roll into town showcasing their rather fabulous new album Souvenir. It’s a smorgasbord of 70s & 80’s influences from both sides of the Atlantic; from Devo to The Buzzcocks, The B-52’s to XTC with the odd smattering of The Clash PAGE 4 APRIL 14TH and Television thrown in for good measure. It’s all great fun and played with supreme dexterity so this should be a really banging show. RALLY FOR RAFAH: FARAH ELLE, CLARA TRACEY & MORE - THE GRAND SOCIAL - APRIL 15TH Rally for Rafah is a gig with 8 acts to raise money to get the Abuowda family’s grandparents safely evacuated out of Gaza to Egypt. A great line up includes Farah Elle, Clara Tracey, Abood Aladham, Andi, Brona Keogh and more. Their grandson, Mohanad Abuowda, has been living in Dublin since he was fifteen years old and has set up a Gofundme campaign to raise the money needed to get his grandparents to safety. DUNCAN MAITLAND - WHELAN’S UPSTAIRS - APRIL 17TH A special night of magical songs, psychedelic incantations and sonic explorations is promised as the former Picturehouse member and Pugwash, XTC, Slumberjet, Joss Cope and Jack Lukeman collaborator plays his debut solo Whelans show. Heralding an imminent new album, Duncan Maitlands' songs are delicious slices of 60’s influenced psych-pop delivered with wit and panache. Highly recommended. SHOBSY - APRIL 20TH TEN HAIL MARYS - ACADEMY 2 - APRIL 19TH One of the standout acts at this year’s Whelan’s Ones To Watch, Dublin Indie four piece, Ten Hail Marys manage to create new sounds from their guitar onslaught and this, allied to atmospheric arrangements and colloquial lyrics, earmark them out for future greatness. SHOBSY - THE WORKMANS - APRIL 20TH Speaking of future stars, there’s no doubt that Dubliner Shobsy O’Brien has what it takes to go all the way. The voice is imperious, the stagecraft divine so it all will rest on his ability to fashion the tunes that will grab the public’s attention. The signs are already promising, singles ‘Vanity’ and ‘Driven’ signalling real talent. His profile has been nicely raised as the ‘go to’ singer for the RTE Concert Orchestra and we look forward to what the future brings for this gem. SEXYTADHG - THE GRAND SOCIAL - APRIL 20TH A winner of the ‘Radical Spirit’ award at the Dublin Fringe Festival, Tadgh Griffin is a rock star in waiting. Showbiz is the name of the game here as they bring a much needed glamour to Irish stages (only for now, this will travel!) along with wonderful, heartwarming personal and delicate stories FARAH ELLE - APRIL 15TH centred around gender, sexuality and mental health. Mercury, Bowie, Gaga are touchstones but SexyTadgh brings their own unique, creative flair to their material. Go see! THE WUP CHOW - SIN É - APRIL 20TH Alternative with a post punk edge is The Wup Chows mantra and what’s not to like about a four piece that genuinely sounds like they are buzzing off their own creations. Their most recent release - Once A Ballroom - is their best yet and points to a growing songwriting confidence. It’s only a fiver in so treat yourself! SOPHIE HUTCHINGS - THE PAVILION, DUN LAOIRE - APRIL 21ST The Pavilions brilliant Between The Notes ongoing series of shows is back with a doozy as renowned Australian pianist and composer Sophie Hutchings plays her first-ever Irish show as part of a major EU/UK tour for her recently released album, A World Outside. Her Echoes in the Valley album was the number 1 classical album in the UK in 2021 and on this latest record Hutchings continues to draw inspiration from the beauty of the natural world and the expansive landscape of her native Australia.