A lighter, freer Natalie Imbruglia steps out of the past and onto the dancefloor with Algorithm Natalie Imbruglia isn’t normally an artist you’d find on my playlist. Yet Algorithm has given me reason to reconsider that. I’ve always felt her music was somewhat confined to its time — you could hear one of her...
Read MoreWider Than Pictures delivers another memorable night in Dublin If the first two nights of Wider Than Pictures came roaring out of the blocks, tonight begins with something altogether less explosive — although the weather clearly didn’t get the memo. Pouring rain turned Collins Barracks into something resembling an outdoor swimming pool, a sight...
Read MoreA night of snarling guitars, soaring vocals and enough energy to shake Collins Barracks. Wider Than Pictures has long had a knack for putting together line-ups that feel less like ordinary gigs and more like events. This year was no exception. Following the huge demand for Tuesday night’s bill, Wednesday brought a repeat performance...
Read MoreManchester’s Westside Cowboy blend country twang, indie-rock attitude and restless guitars into an album with no skips from start to finish. Manchester’s Westside Cowboy have spent the last couple of years turning heads with a sound they’ve dubbed “Britainicana” – a rough-edged collision of American country, British punk and the kind of guitar-driven swagger...
Read MoreFéile Beag delivered a weekend packed with discovery, community and memorable performances. It’s been a long time since Féile Beag opened with such a genuine breath of fresh air. Rather than leaning on nostalgia or familiar names, Friday night deliberately turned the spotlight towards the next generation, giving a host of young performers the...
Read MoreNew Fields, Same Feeling: Forest Fest Begins A Bold New Chapter Changing a festival’s home is a gamble. Move the stages, redraw the map, promise better facilities, and you’re not just shifting fences—you’re asking thousands of loyal fans to believe the spirit will come with it. Forest Fest 2026 rolled the dice, leaving its...
Read MoreBIIRD turn Leopardstown into one giant celebration If it feels like Biird are everywhere right now, that’s because they are — and after catching their set at Leopardstown yesterday, it’s hard to argue they don’t deserve every bit of the hype. Labelled an Irish traditional music collective, the band are quietly tearing up the...
Read MoreMickey Chaos Live at The RTÉ Outpost Stage Another standout from the RTÉ Outpost stage came in the shape of Mickey Chaos, whose exhilarating set quickly turned curious onlookers into devoted converts. Imagine if The Ramones and The Beach Boys shared a rehearsal room overlooking the Pacific and you’re somewhere close to understanding the...
Read MoreRun The Red Light Up The RTÉ Outpost Stage I spent a fair chunk of Beyond The Pale darting back and forth to the RTÉ Outpost Stage, which quietly became one of the festival’s most rewarding destinations for discovering emerging talent. Among the artists vying for attention, RuntheRed were one of the first bands...
Read MoreSun-Soaked Weekend of Standout Performances Beyond The Pale is the kind of festival that can feel almost overwhelming in the best possible way. With stages, cabaret, talks, food experiences and hidden corners competing for your attention, there’s always the nagging sense that you’re missing something brilliant happening just out of sight. While this year’s...
Read More