Why Every Dublin Resident Should Be Furious About The End of Hangar and District 8
Dublin City Council and our national government have struggled in recent years to regulate the capital’s widespread shortcomings in healthcare and housing. Along with these controversies, the recent closures of venues like District 8 and Hangar signify that a crisis…
Leuven University Orchestra Brings Tchaikovsky to Life in Astra Hall
On the 30th of October, UCD welcomed the Universitair Symfonisch Orkest Leuven, or University Symphony Orchestra Leuven. On this occasion, they played a repertoire of three of Tchaikovsky’s greatest works: ‘the 1812 Overture’, ‘The Nutcracker Suite’, and ‘The Tempest’. UCD’s…
The Year In Underrated Albums
Kala O’Toole Jey on Lily Allen’s No Shame Lily Allen has always been a contentious figure in the music world. Not one to shy away from public gaze, her undeniably straight-talking, no-bullshit attitude, is often a surprising contrast to her…
UCD’s Own Loners Releases Debut Album ‘Be Happy!!!’
Newman stalwart Cian O’Farrell has released his highly-anticipated debut album under the name of Loners. His first full-length is an ambitious collection of soundscapes, ambient grooves and brave samples. Fans of everyone from the Horrors, to Arthur Russell, to Burial…
The Groupchat: Emo Music
Niall O’S: I’ve summoned you all here to discuss what you will soon discover is a very sensitive topic for me, emo music; more specifically ‘does emo have serious artistic merit?’. Sometimes I think it’s my life’s mission to bring…
Revisiting Hours: Protomartyr – Under Color of Official Right
Protomartyr’s second album is the red-headed stepchild of their back catalogue for the sole reason that it tends to be overlooked in favour of their later work. It’s a personal favourite album of mine. Following on the heels of their…
Make Way For The Queen: Robyn Has Returned
Obviously, the new Robyn album is great. I cannot in good conscience call this a ‘review’; my sheer lack of objectivity whenever Robyn is part of the discussion prohibits the use of the word. Robyn has long since solidified her…
John Field: Ireland’s Forgotten Composer
On the 26th of July 1782, Dublin would contribute its own renowned composer to the classical music narrative with the birth of John Field. This was a time of great shifts in the world - the American Revolution had recently succeeded,…
The Groupchat: Matty Healy of The 1975
Music Editor Niall O’Shaughnessy hops into a groupchat to discuss The 1975 and their controversial frontman Matty Healy. Niall: This week’s topic reads like a Leaving Cert Exam question ‘Matty Healy of The 1975 is a divisive figure, with some…
Album in Review: Iridescence – BROCKHAMPTON
BROCKHAMPTON have always been a group on the cutting edge, but with their latest album iridescence, their sound has become even more exploratory. Even the name of the album echoes the wide array of worldviews present in the group; as…
Hozier’s Timely Return To A New Age of Activism
Four years after disappearing from the music scene, Hozier returns with an EP deemed a “thank you note to the spirit of protest”, that perfectly encapsulates the political and social crises’ around the world and those who fight to change…
The Groupchat: BROCKHAMPTON
The first instalment in a new regular column sees our contributors tackle the issue’s hottest topic. This week, we brave the stans of BROCKHAMPTON and try to unpack the hype. Our resident sceptic and music editor Niall O’Shaughnessy attempts to…