The line-up of Irish bands for Hard Working Class Heroes 2009 has been announced, and it's a pretty impressive list.

Key Notes argues that we should do our best to save the physical album.

 Cois Fharraige returns to Co. Clare for its third year.

Key Notes pays tribute to John Hughes, a man who appeared to direct every movie (that wasn't Star Wars) he watched as a teenager.  WARNING: This blog contains some strong language.

In this new series, Key Notes takes a light-hearted look at the type of people who attend Irish indie gigs.  This first edition looks at scenesters, the Vince Noir of the Irish indie scene.

The line-up for Castlepalooza, Ireland's premier boutique Music and Arts Festival, has been announced and Key Notes is hear to guide you through the August Bank Holiday weekend in Charleville Castle, Tullamore.

 

This is an unusual blog for Key Notes as it has very little to do with music.  On October 26 Key Notes will run the Lifestyle Sports/Adidas Dublin City Marathon to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.  This is where you come in!

Technical difficulties (not being able to find the cable that charges the laptop!) means that Key Notes' review of Oxegen 2009 comes to you 24 hours late.

After being the first publication in the world to review Oxegen 2008, CLUAS will go much more than one step further this year.  For the first time ever, CLUAS readers can look forward to up to the minute reviews, festival diaries and the most in-depth coverage of Oxegen 2009 available online.

Three parts Irish, one part Canadian, The Angel Pier kicked off 2009 with a storming show to a packed Whelan's showcasing songs from their debut album which will be released later this year.  In this edition of Key Note Speaker, Mark Colbert, drummer with The Angel Pier, takes time out from promoting the band's new single, Align The Seas.

Favourite Songs from the Past Year Halfway Home - TV on The Radio

Favourite Song Ever This changes daily.

Favourite Angel Pier Song Align the Seas, which happens to be coming out as a single in the very near future (July...

Key Notes attended the launch of Hard Working Class Heroes '09 on Wednesday evening and was very impressed by what he saw (and ate)!

Key Notes, in association with Word of Mouth, has a double pass to give away for Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters front man Mark Kozelek when he brings his songwriting talent to Andrew's Lane Theatre on July 23.

With just over two weeks to go until Oxegen 2009 starts, Key Notes has a very simple message for festival goers and it's a lesson he learned over 10 years in the Scouts; be prepared.

In the first in a series of blogs in which he previews upcoming Irish music festivals, Key Notes looks ahead to Oxegen. The festival, which takes place between July 9 and July 12, remains a four day event, following the successful introduction of an extra day last year.

The final list might not be his cup of tea, but it's fair to say that the CLUAS top 50 Irish albums of the past decade accurately reflect the opinions of the CLUAS writing universe, who, in turn, represent a fair cross section of the Irish listening public.

Thanks to Forever Presents, Key Notes has a double pass to give away for Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs this Thursday, May 28, in Andrew's Lane Theatre.

Key Notes attends the launch of the latest batch of NYU Tisch/Hot Press videos.

Key Notes has teamed up with MCD to offer you the chance to win tickets to see Casio Kids.

At the Oliver Cole gig on Saturday evening, Key Notes found himself in the unusual position of being in front of the stage.  However, it did mean he could get his hands on several of the nights set list's.  They make for some, erm, interesting reading.

Key Notes looks at the line up for Castle Palooza, announced yesterday, and can't help but be excited about the current state of the Irish indie scene.

Key Notes' countdown of his favourite Irish albums returns with a look at Damien Rice's debut record, O.

In this edition, Key Notes talks about Groom, a band that he, sadly, hadn't heard of until last month, but now can't get enough of.

Once again, Key Notes is offering you the chance to beat the recession by seeing some of Dublin's best gigs for free.  This week he has two double passes for Matt Elliot to give away.