Gig of the fortnight is...Xiu Xiu Where and When? Whelan's, Dublin - 20/02

Why? To be honest as a studio proposition I find Xiu Xiu to be a little difficult to get in to.  However when it comes to the live arena they're a compelling joy to behold.  I've rarely seen a band on stage that looked like they believed in what they were doing with their music more than Xiu Xiu.  Only remaining founder member Jamie Stewart and company will be visiting Ireland for the first time in a couple of years in support of their 7th original studio album Dear God, I Hate Myself.

Also this fortnight Yeasayer

The Academy, Dublin - 19/02

Vyvienne Long

Stables, Mullingar -19/02

Thatch Rahan, Mullingar -20/02

Errigle Inn, Belfast -25/02

Sugar Club, Dublin -26/02

Hockey

Spring And Airbrake, Belfast - 27/02

Acadamy, Dublin -28/02

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Gig of the fortnight is... tUnE yArDs Where and When? Whelan's, Dublin - 12/02

Why?

This gig guide doesn't care much for Dirty Projectors but the one temptation to see them last time they were in Dublin was the fact that tUnE yArDs was on the bill.  New England based Merrill Garbus' debut album, the ultra low-fi and experimental Bird Brains was released and re-released no less than 3 times last year to wildly positive notices.

Also this fortnight:

Beach House Whelan's, Dublin - 13/02 Speakeasy, Belfast - 14/02

Midlake Vicar St., Dublin - 14/02 At Last An Atlas (album...

Gig of the fortnight is... F*ck Buttons Where and When? Button Factory, Dublin - 18/12

Why? F*ck Buttons’ second album Tarot Sport is not as harsh a listen and the duo's debut. Unsurprisingly the addition of Andrew Wetherell’s production has given the band a dancey element which might mean that the more spacious environment of The Button Factory is far more suited to their current live show than the site of their most recent stand alone gig in Dublin, a cramped upstairs in Whelan’s.

Also this fortnight Dirty Three Whelan's, Dublin - 09/12

U:Mack birthday party - Battles / 65daysofstatic / The Ex / !!! (chk chk chk) DJ's & more ...

Gig of the fortnight is... Yo La Tengo Where and When? Tripod, Dublin - 05/11

Why? To be honest there's not a whole lot of truly outstanding stuff this fortnight. A lot less than in more recent Novembers anyway.  But in almost any fortnight regardless of who else was in the country Yo La Tengo's first headline gig in this country in donkey's years would be right at the top of the list.

25 years into their careers the band still sound incredibly fresh and remain hugely commited to simply making the sort of music that they feel like doing on a particular day, be it 15 minute drone pieces, grade A indie rock freakouts or gorgeous little pop tunes that wouldn't be out of place on the third VU album.

You should note, this is a no support band 2 hour long set.  So get there...

Gig of the fortnight is... Handsome Furs Where and When? Spring and Airbrake, Belfast - 26/10 Acadamy, Dublin - 27/10 Cyprus Avenue, Cork - 28/10

Why? Due to the volume of their output Sunset Rubown may be the better known of the Wolf Parade side projects but Dan Boeckner's (and wife Alexei Perry's) Handsome Furs take a back seat to no band.  Second album Face Control is a fantastic collection of tunes which manages to be both cold sounding and visceral feeling at the same time.  This is the pair's first Irish gigs in a couple of years.  Support for all gigs comes from Thomas Dybdahl.

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Gig of the fortnight is... Thinguma*jigsaw Where and When? Joinery Gallery, Dublin - 06/10

Why? Gigs here by Norway's finest gothic folk duo have understandably become far less regular ever since the members of Thinguma*jigsaw stopped living here.  This will in act be the pair's first Irish gig since February and really should not be missed if possible.  Support on the night comes from Sport Murphy, Arlt and the wonderful Peter Delaney.

  Best of the rest Who? Jonathan Richman Where and When? The Village, Dublin - 06/10

There aren't many other...

Gig of the fortnight is... The Jesus Lizard Where and When? Button Factory, Dublin - 22/09

Why?

There has been a raft of 80's and 90's indie rock band reunions in recent years from the likes of bands such as The Pixies, My Bloody Valentine and just this month Pavement, all of whom in their previous, younger lives had some level of success or the likes of Mission Of Burma who never really found the audience their astonishing music deserved.  Falling more into the second category than the first is Chicago's Jesus Lizard who since getting back into the game earlier this year have thrown themselves into this whole reunion business with far more intensity than pretty much anyone else has.  Front man David Yow is still the total nutter he was a decade ago and it wouldn't...

Gig of the fortnight is... The Tallest Man On Earth Where and When? Whelan's, Dublin - 11/08

Why?

Far more engaging and commanding on stage than a single man with an acoustic guitar has any right to be One of the genuine highlights of this year's Primavera Sound festifal and a firm fixture on the gig guide's MP3 player for the past 12 months The Tallest Man On Earth aka Swedan's Kristian Matsson is one of the most remarkable folk guitar pickers to emerge in years.  There may be some who can't get past his obvious Dylan fetish but if you're not in that number then I can't recommend this gig enough.

Best of the rest Who? Future Islands...

Gig of the fortnight is... Wilco Where and When? Vicar St, Dublin - 27&28/08

Why?

Watching Bruce Springsteen and The E Street band in the RDS a few months back I was struck by the idea that in terms of conventional rock bands there might not be a better collection of musicians in a singe group than them.  If there is one than it's probaby Wilco, led by one of the best songwriters of his generation in Jeff Tweedy and backed by the briliant likes of Glenn Kotche on drums and the imperious Nes Cline on guitar the caibre of musician that Tweedy has ruthlessly assembled over the years is remarkable.

Best of the rest Who? Electric Picnic Where and When?...

Gig of the fortnight is... Deerhunter Where and When? Whelan's, Dublin - 23/08

Why?

Over the past couple of years I don't think there's been a more consistently brilliant and prolific band than Deerhunter and it's associated acts.  Bradford Cox and co. really found their stride with second album Cryptograms and haven't looked back since with another couple of super albums in Microcastle and Wierd Era Cont. AND 2 EP's as well as countless other things that have cropped up for free online.  And then there's the material released by Cox's Atlas Sound side project and as well as that the much overlooked but phenomenal Lotus Plaza album The Floodlight Collective by the band's guitar player Locket Pundt.

Best of the rest...