Here comes the sun
Gigs, movies, shows and festivals you can't miss ? and some you should
Friday April 17 2009
Our critics, Eamon Sweeney, Paul Whitington and Sophie Gorman, pick the top gigs, festivals, films and shows you can’t miss this summer.... and some you should
TOP SUMMER GIGS By Eamon Sweeney
PONY CLUB
WHELAN'S, WEXFORD STREET, DUBLIN 2 (€12) FRIDAY, MAY 1
After a succesful two-night residency upstairs in Whelan's, Mark Cullen and chums move it downstairs for a special May Day show. Listen out for their wonderful cover of The Promise by Girls Aloud alongside favourites from albums Post-Romantic, Home Truths and Family Business.
VILLAGERS
THE CLARENCE, SLIGO, MAY 1. ROISUN DUBH, GALWAY, MAY 2. the stABLES, MULLINGAR, MAY 8. WHELAN'S, WEXFORD STREET, DUBLIN 2, MAY 9
If you only see one Irish band this summer, do yourself a favour and make sure it's Villagers. After the sad and sudden demise of The Immediate, Conor O'Brien has thankfully formed a new band -- and they're even better.
ROISIN DUBH, GALWAY (€22.50) SUNDAY, MAY 10. WHELAN'S, WEXFORD STREET, DUBLIN 2 (€23) MONDAY/TUESDAY MAY 11/12
Cole loves playing Whelan's so much that he recorded a live album at the Wexford Street venue. He returns for another highly recommended stint in support of his new 4 CD box set Clearing Out the Ashtrays.
DEERHUNTER
ANDREW'S LANE THEATRE, DUBLIN 2 (€14) FRIDAY, MAY 22
Purveyors of some of the finest noise pop to come out of America since Sonic Youth and Pavement, Deerhunter are a blistering must-see live act. This is their first Irish visit since releasing their defining double album Microcastle/Weird Era Ctd.
JAPE
THE BUTTON FACTORY, TEMPLE BAR, DUBLIN 2 (€17) SATURDAY, MAY 23.
ROISIN DUBH, GALWAY (€14) FRIDAY, MAY 29
When Jape won the Choice Music Prize this year, the Irish music scene was for once united and unaminous in its approval. His first headliner gig since bagging the gong should be a party to savour.
FINAL FANTASY
WHELAN'S, WEXFORD STREET, DUBLIN 2 (€20) FRIDAY, MAY 29. THE BLACK BOX, GALWAY WITH ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (€25) SATURDAY, MAY 30
Arcade Fire and Last Shadow Puppets string arranger Owen Pallet and his incredible violin return to the scene of some of the finest shows the Wexford Street venue has witnessed in its history.
VICAR STREET, DUBLIN (SOLD OUT) MAY 31. THE WATERFRONT, BELFAST (£22.50-£27.50) JUNE 1
If you haven't secured a ticket for Vicar Street, then you'll have to do with the Waterfront. Considering that this is Antony Hegarty we're talking about, it'll be well worth the trip.
DAN DEACON & ENSEMBLE
ANDREW'S LANE, DUBLIN 2 (€20) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3/THURSDAY, JUNE 4
The one-man hurricane of electro madness that is Dan Deacon is bonkers enough on his own. Add a full ensemble of oddballs to the proceedings and who knows what will happen?
THOMOND PARK STADIUM, LIMERICK (€79.25-€116.25) SATURDAY, JUNE 6
It will be interesting to see how the revamped Thomond Park adapts to outdoor shows. No better person to do the honours than the Rocket Man himself.
WIRE
WHELAN'S, WEXFORD STREET, DUBLIN 2 (€23) SATURDAY, JUNE 6
One of the most influential post-punk bands of all time make a very rare visit to Ireland. Check them out and discover where Elastica nicked their sound. Other illustrious fans include REM, The Cure and My Bloody Valentine.
JUNIOR BOYS
THE ACADEMY, MIDDLE ABBEY STREET, DUBLIN 1 (€15.05) SUNDAY, JUNE 7
The electro-pop loving Canadians released one of the best albums of 2006 with So This is Goodbye. Beyond Dull Care is its long-awaited follow up and is inspired by the Canadian animator Norman McClaren.
OASIS
SLANE CASTLE, CO. MEATH (SOLD OUT) SUNDAY, JUNE 20
The Gallaghers surprised many observers when they sold out the biggest gig in the country before you could say Don't Look Back in Anger. Expect a bumper set of hands-in-the-air anthems and Liam and Noel telling the audience how glad they are to be home.
O2 ARENA, DUBLIN (€65.70-€76.25) MONDAY, JUNE 21
Doesn't quite have the same allure as previous visits. Young played Malahide as recently as last June and his new album, Fork in the Road, is admittedly lukewarm. However, he can still be relied upon to deliver a great show.
AC/DC
PUNCHESTOWN RACECOURSE (€76.50) SUNDAY, JUNE 28
If you don't have a ticket to the O2 this weekend, then don't despair. The elder statesmen of hard rock who still like to dress up as schoolboys have added this monster show to cater for mammoth demand.
ROD STEWART
THOMOND PARK STADIUM (€81.25-€91.25) SATURDAY, JULY 4. RDS ARENA (€81.25-€91.25) SUNDAY, JULY 5. LIVE AT THE MARQUEE, CORK ((€81.25-€91.25) ) TUESDAY, JULY 7
Rod the Mod does his first whistle stop Irish arena tour in some years. Brace yourself for Maggie May, Hot Legs, and of course, Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
!!!
WHELAN'S, WEXFORD STREET, DUBLIN 2 (€18) WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
In case you're wondering, it's pronounced 'Chk Chk Chk', or as they say themselves, "!!! is pronounced by repeating thrice any monosyllabic sound." Anyway, they specialise in pulverising punk funk that even makes The Rapture sound tame.
CRAWDADDY, HARCOURT STREET, DUBLIN 2 (15) THURSDAY, JULY 9
Arguably the hip-hop/DJ collective album of the year. N.A.S.A. are fronted by director Spike Jonze's brother Squeak E Clean, who somehow convinced David Byrne, Karen O and many others to collaborate on The Spirit of Apollo. Live, they're a hell of a lot of fun with dancing aliens and all sorts of crazy stunts.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND
RDS ARENA, DUBLIN 4 (€86.25-€96.25) SATURDAY, JULY 11 / SUNDAY, JULY 12
The Boss is back for another RDS residency. If you've seen him before, you're probably going already. If not, act fast so you can enjoy one of the finest live spectacles in rock.
CROKE PARK, DUBLIN (€33.60-€131.50)
WITH GLASVEGAS & DAMIEN DEMPSEY -- FRIDAY, JULY 24 . WITH KASaBIAN & REPUBLIC OF LOOSE -- SATURDAY, JULY 25. WITH THE SCRIPT & BELL X1 -- MONDAY, JULY 27
It's either a sign of the times or an indication that No Line on the Horizon hasn't exactly set the world on fire, but perhaps for the first time since the late 70s you can still buy tickets for a U2 show in Dublin.
O2 ARENA, DUBLIN (€90-€125) 20/21/22 JULY
By all accounts, loopy Len delivered what was unequivocally the gig of 2008. Thankfully, we've been granted a second chance to catch one of the true greats. Seeing as his ex-manager swindled his fortune, he's certainly one act into whom it's a pleasure to pay, and you know it'll be worth every last cent. ... and five to avoid
O2 ARENA, DUBLIN (€49.80-€70.70) MAY5/6
The never-ending tour keeps on rolling on, but let's call a spade a spade -- Dylan is terrible live. On one Point visit, which was memorable for all the wrong reasons, he turned his back to the audience for virtually the whole show. Stay at home with your classic albums.
TRICKY
SPRING & AIRBRAKE, BELFAST MAY 13
THE ACADEMY, DUBLIN MAY 14
At last year's Oxegen, Tricky looked like he just didn't want to be there. You'd be well advised to choose not to bother.
OLymPIA THeATRE, DUBLIN (€96.25-€131.25) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10-FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Surely this is the most ridiculous ticket price of all time, regardless of a recession. Sure, Paris, Texas might be a great album, but that's no excuse to take the proverbial.
DEF LEPPARD / WHITESNAKE / JOURNEY
O2 ARENA, DUBLIN (€59.50-€69.50) FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Def Leppard could be be good for a laugh, but it's not worth sitting through the monstrosity that are Journey. Somehow, the soft rockers are back in vogue thanks to far too many people mistakenly thinking that Don't Stop Believing is a good song.
EAGLES
PEARSE STADIUM, GALWAY (€86.25-131.25) SUNDAY JUNE 28 (€86.25-131.25). ODYSSEY, BELFAST (£75-£90) TUESDAY, JUNE 30. RDS ARENA, DUBLIN (€86.25-131.25) THURSDAY, JULY 2
The most boring live band of all time have the gall to come back to fleece their fans one more time. The discrepancy between Belfast ticket prices and the other shows is nothing short of scandalous.
TOP MUSIC FESTIVALS By Eamon Sweeney
LIVE AT THE MARQUEE
THE DOCKLANDS, CORK, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17-FRIDAY, JULY10
Young guns Lady Gaga, Flo Rida and Ne-Yo share the same mammoth and eclectic bill as The Prodigy, Christy Moore, James Taylor and Kasabian. Comedy from Des Bishop and Simple Minds also features.
SEA SESSIONS
BUNDORAN, DONEGAL, FRIDAY, MAY 28-SUNDAY, MAY 31
The festival season kicks off in earnest with the newest addition to the outdoor calendar. Super Furry Animals, RSAG, Ham Sandwich, Andy Weatherall and Mary Black make up an exciting and eclectic bill.
OXEGEN
PUNCHESTOWN RACECOURSE, MEATH, FRIDAY, JULY 10 - SUNDAY, JULY 12
You've got to hand it to Oxegen for a mega line up this year. Blur, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, The Specials and Yeah Yeah Yeahs are just some of the mouthwatering highlights.
FESTIVAL OF WORLD CULTURES
DÚNLAOGHAIRE, DUBLIN, FRIDAY AUGUST 28 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
One of the best festivals in the country needn’t cost you a penny. Oodles of free gigs take over the seaside town for three days of international fun.
ELECTRIC PICNIC
STRADBALLY, LAOIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Michael Nyman, Bat for Lashes, MGMT, Fleet Foxes... The list goes on and on for what should be the best conceivable way to round off another busy summer.
TOP SUMMER FILM PICKS By Paul Whitington
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Despite major internet leakage, X-Men fans will still relish the big screen arrival of this prequel which explores the background of many people's favourite character, Wolverine. Hugh Jackman plays the hardman, and Danny Huston is his nemesis, William Stryker. Opens early May.
The Wolfman
More fangs and fur, as Benicio del Toro stars in this lavish remake of the 1940s horror classic. Del Toro is Lawrence Talbot, the English gent who is bitten by a werewolf and starts running amok in the home counties whenever there's a full moon. Opens in May.
Lost creator JJ Abrams has promised a return to the simple (and comprehensible) storylines of the original 1960s series in this revival of the film franchise. Spock, Kirk, Bones and co are back, and Simon Pegg, Eric Bana and Mr Leonard Nimoy himself are among the stars. Opens in May.
Night at the Museum 2
A glittering cast of comic heavyweights will assemble for this lavish sequel, in which the distinguished exhibits of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington come magically to live. With Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan. Opens late May.
Adventureland
Smart comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Kristen Stewart about a 1980s college graduate whose dream of touring Europe is shattered when he ends up having to take a job at a local amusement park, and endures the summer from hell. Due out in late May.
Looking for Eric
In an unusual move for the normally gritty Ken Loach, there's a touch of fantasy in this comic drama as a Manchester postman with a broken heart seeks advice from grandly philosophical ex-Manchester United star Eric Cantona. Opens early June.
Coraline
Henry Selick's visually stunning animation based on the children's story by Neil Gaiman has earned rave reviews in the US, and has done very well at the box office. It tells the story of a little girl who crawls through a miniature door into an alternative world that initially seems idyllic. Opens in June.
Terminator Salvation
The backdrop for Christian Bale's famous recent outburst, this sequel to the celebrated sci-fi franchise promises to be a spectacular, futuristic war film as John Connor battles against the machines for mankind's survival. With Helena Bonham Carter. Out early June.
Cheri
A beautiful cast, sumptuous costumes and the sure hand of director Stephen Frears should made this period drama easy to watch. Rupert Friend is Cheri Peloux, the spoilt and dissipated fancy man of Michelle Pfeiffer in 1920s Paris. Kathy Bates also stars, and the film is due to open in June.
My Sister's Keeper
Based on a novel by Jodi Picoult, this Nick Cassavetes drama promises to be something of a tearjerker. John Cusack and Cameron Diaz star in a tale of a 13-year-old girl who sues her parents for harvesting her organs for the benefit of her twin. Due out in June.
Year One
In this Harold Ramis comedy, expect few subtleties as Jack Black and Michael Cera play two dim-witted cavemen who blunder through some of the Old Testament's more famous early moments. With Paul Rudd, Oliver Platt and, God help us, Vinnie Jones. Due to open in June.
GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra
Based on the popular boys' action figure, the TV series and animated movies it spawned, this first live action film involving the square-jawed warrior is a $170 million extravaganza set in the future and hoping to be one of the big summer action films. Opens June.
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
In Rebecca Miller's ambitious drama, Robin Wright Penn plays the devoted wife of a successful publisher 30 years her senior whose life unravels in interesting ways when he has an affair with an even younger woman. With Keanu Reeves, Alan Arkin. Opens June.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Shia LaBoeuf and Megan Fox return for a sequel to the hugely successful 2007 fantasy, Transformers. In Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, young boys will be torn once again between the joys of watching giant robots fight and the lure of Ms Fox. Opens late June.
Public Enemies
One of the most eagerly-anticipated dramas of the summer will be Michael Mann's film Public Enemies, a period crime drama set in the 1930s and starring Johnny Depp as iconic gangster John Dillinger and Christian Bale as an FBI agent who pursues him. Due out in July.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The much-delayed Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince finally arrives in July, as Voldemort tightens his grip on the world and Dumbledore prepares Harry for the coming battle. With Ralph Fiennes and Daniel Radcliffe. Out in July.
The Ugly Truth
In what its producers are hoping will be the summer's big rom com, Katherine Heigl plays the harried producer of a morning radio show who is reluctantly embroiled in a series of romantic experiments by male chauvinist Gerard Butler. Released in July.
Up
Pixar don't make bad films, and this latest offering looks charming. Ed Asner stars as a pensioner who decides to fulfil the lifelong dream of his wife by using a large number of balloons to fly their house down to South America. Opens (in 3D) in late July.
The Soloist
Based on a true story, English director Joe Wright's film stars Jamie Foxx as a former musical child prodigy with mental problems who ends up homeless on the streets of LA. Robert Downey is the journalist who tries to help him. Looks entertaining, though it may veer slightly over the top. Released August.
Broken Embraces
After the stunning performance he drew from her in Volver, it will be interesting to see how Pedro Almodovar's latest collaboration with Penelope Cruz unfolds. In this ambitious psychological drama, a blind writer is haunted by the terrible events of his past. Opens August.
...and five to think twice about
Angels and Demons
Proving that the worthiness of Frost/Nixon was a flash in the pan, Ron Howard resumes normal service with this follow-up to the pricelessly daft Da Vinci Code. Tom Hanks is back, this time trying to foil a plot to destroy the Vatican using antimatter -- or something. Opens in May.
The Ghosts of Girlfriends' Past
We wish Matthew McConaughey well, but based on recent outings like the disastrous Fools' Gold, the omens aren't good for this romcom apparently based (very loosely) on A Christmas Carol, and starring Matthew as a womaniser who is haunted by the ghosts of previous girlfriends at his brother's wedding. Due out in May.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
This lavish remake of a 1970s B-movie thriller might turn out to be an improvement on the original, but we wonder. John Travolta leads a band of ruthless hijackers whose seizure of a New York subway train results in a stakeout. Due to open late July.
Inglorious Basterds
We may be wrong, but we have a bad feeling about Quentin Tarantino's much trumpeted Dirty Dozen-style war film Inglorious Basterds, in which Brad Pitt plays a Jewish-American commando who leads a troop of sociopaths into Hitler's Germany to kick some Nazi butt. Expect excessive violence and intermittent humour. Out early August.
Final Destination: Death Trip 3D
The first instalment of this franchise back in 2000 was fresh and witty, as a group of annoying students who avoided a plane crash were pursued by a vengeful death, but they couldn't leave well enough alone, and 2006's Final Destination 3 looked fairly weary. But here we are again, in 3D. One fears the worst.
TOP FIVE ARTS EVENTS THIS SUMMER By Sophie Gorman
CARLSBERG CAT LAUGHS COMEDY FESTIVAL, KILKENNY, MAY 28 - JUNE 1
62 comedians in 85 shows over five days, the biggest annual comedy festival in Ireland is back with a brand new title sponsor and familiar faces from home and abroad to tickle your ribs. Probably the best comedy festival in the land? Here’s hoping.
www.carlsbergcatlaughs.com
DUBLIN WRITERS FESTIVAL, JUNE 2 - 7
No Irish writing festival would be complete without the presence of one of our few true national treasures – Seamus Heaney – and this one is celebrating his birthday in proper style. With an international cast of writers reading from recent works, other highlights include Melvyn Bragg, Zoe Heller, Sarah Waters, Colm Toíbin and Simon Schama.
www.dublinwritersfestival.com
CORK MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL, JUNE 13 - 28
Promising to be bigger and better than ever before, this year’s festival brings back the Spiegeltent and also sees the return of Cork’s most famous theatre company, Corcadorca, with a brand-new show. With a reputation for staging unusual works in unusual locations, Corcadorca is presenting medEia, a modern retelling ofMedea, on the top floor of Cork County Hall.
www.corkmidsummer.com
GALWAY ARTS FESTIVAL, JULY 13 - 26
Few festivals take over the city quite like the Galway Arts Festival – even the shop windows become part of the festivities. This has also become a destination for major international theatre companies and celebrities. Last year saw Frasier’s dad Martin Crane (aka John Mahoney) in a European premiere. This year’s line-up is still under wraps apart from the return of the Festival Big Top, but you can bet there will be plenty of street theatre and familiar faces.
www.galwayartsfestival.com
THE FLAT LAKE FESTIVAL, CLONES, MONAGHAN, AUGUST14 -16
One of our hidden treasures, this arts and literary festival is in the most extraordinarily beautiful setting of Hilton Park. Not only does it actively discourage bankers from attending, but it also promises ‘a righteous weekend jive for Artyheads, Moochers, B-Girls, Gassers, Bandrats, Grifters, Shifters, Snowbirds, Hepcats, Heels, Groghounds.... and long gone Daddies’.
www.theflatlakefestival.com
