Gig of the fortnight is... The Thermals Where and When? Auntie Annies, Belfast - 18/06 Academy 2, Dublin - 19/06

Why?

Just, for a second, imagine something.  We're back in the early 90's and Green Day haven't yet gone all political, they're at the "Basket Case" point in their career.  Now jump forward to today and try to imagine a band that still has that sound, but the songs are clever and catchy and really really good. 

The band you're imagining might just be The Thermals whose 4th album Now We Can See is probably the finest collection of power pop you're likely to hear all year.

Also this fortnight Pocahaunted/Sun Araw (early gig, doors 18:30) ...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Phosphorescent Where and When? Whelan's, Dublin - 01/06 Pavillion, Cork - 02/06

Why?

There weren't all that many people there at the time but one fo the finest performances in Ireland last year was Phosphorescent upstairs in Whelans.  Matthew Houck is back about a year later, this time with a full band and a little bit more press attention thanks to his recent tribute album to Willie Nelson.  OK the notion is a little bit gimmicky but it's also brilliant, as is hit own material.

Best of the rest Who? Final Fantasy Where and When?...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Deerhunter Where and When? Black Box, Belfast - 21/05 Andrew's Lane Theatre, Dublin - 22/04

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...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Jeff Lewis And The Junkyard Where and When? Crawdaddy, Dublin - 29/04

Why?

Thanks to the Juno soundtrack it may have been The Moldy Peaches that became the most prominant act to emerge from the NYC anti-folk scene but ultimately it's Jeffrey Lewis, with his actual ability to play an instrument well and sharp, witty lyrics that's the most worthwhile figure.  A comic book artist as well as a musician the wildly prolific Lewis has had over 20 releases, made up of albums, EPs and home made tapes since 1997 but conventional wisdom would say that he's currently touring his most recent (and 5th proper) album Em Are I.

Also this fortnight Camera Obscura ...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Casiotone For The Painfully Alone Where and When? Roisin Dubh, Galway - 17/04 The Quad, Cork - 18/04 Whelans, Dublin - 19/04

Why?

Owen Ashworth doesn't have much of a voice but I love to hear him sing.  Not many people can make failure, both romantic and professional sound so appealing.  These dates are in support of his laterst album vs. Children.

Also this fortnight Health Whelan's, Dublin - 17/04 ...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Frightened Rabbit Where and When? Acadamy 2, Dublin - 01/04 Cyprus Aveneue, Cork - 02/04

Why?

There's something about he maudlin lilt of the Scottish accent that makes it ideal for singing songs that are weighed down with sadness and self-loathing.  And right now no one does it better than Frightened Rabbit's Scott Hutchison.  This pair of dates is in support of last year's live and mostly acoustic Liver! Lung! FR! and much like that album, which was mostly made up of songs from the astonishing The Midnight Organ Fight it'll be a for the most part acoustic gig.

Best of the rest Who?...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Ponytail Where and When? Whelan's, Dublin - 11/03

Why?

It's not just the city in which The Wire was set Baltimore MD. has in recent years proved to be a hotbed of musical innovation with Animal Collective, Beach House and Dan Deacon all hailing from B-more.  Add to the list Ponytail.  Their previous Irish date last September saw the deerhood influenced 4-piece utterly caught up in the simple joy of making music with your buddies.  Truly inspiring stuff.

Support on the night is from Jogging and Adebesi Shank.

Best of the rest Who? One for the road Where and When? ...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Crystal Stilts Where and When? Whelan's (Upstairs), Dublin - 19/02 Lavery's Bunker, Belfast - 20/02

Why?

Yet another indie band with the word "Crystal" in their name.  Crystal Stilts were formed 6 years ago in Brooklyn but it was only last year that they released their debut album Alight Of Night.  Most of their press photos make the band look like some of them are really into Velvet Underground.  A cursory listen to their rough and ready sounding reverby pop tunes might lead you to the same conclusion, and that is no bad thing.

Best of the rest Who?...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Wavves Where and When? Lavery's Bunker, Belfast - 10/02 Whelan's (Upstairs), Dublin - 11/02

Why?

Nathan Williams is a bit of a skater noise pop whiz kid.  Not yet old enough to buy booze in his California home he's caused quite the blogger stir with a wonderful self titled album from last year and a much anticipated follow up Wavvves due for release in the coming weeks, note the extra "V" in there.

Support in Dublin comes from the lo-fi stylings of the wonderfully named Dublin Duck Dispensary.

Best of the rest Who?...

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Gig of the fortnight is... Uzi And Ari Where and When? Lavery’s Bunker, Belfast - 21/01 Roisin Dubh, Galway - 22/01 Lower Deck, Dublin - 23/01 The Whiskey, Cork - 24/01

Why?

Uzi and Ari are a 6 piece from San Francisco that reminds me at times of Broken Social Scene, The Album Leaf and the Postal Service if those bands had simply decided to put out their home demos. There's a really nice warm sound to their latest (third) album Headworms and with decent gigs being a little thin on the ground in January...

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