2019 is already jam-packed full of unreal gigs and we are so excited about it. It seems like everyone is heading back to the Emerald Isle for what’s shaping out to be one of the best years for music lovers.
After the enormous successes of both her sold out Academy show earlier this year and her sold out Olympia Theatre show last night, SIGRID has announced her biggest Irish headline show to date at 3Arena Dublin on Friday, November 22, 2019.
The ground-breaking Norwegian pop star this month also released the highly-anticipated new single Sucker Punch, following her critically acclaimed RAW EP and incredible jam-packed festival performances at Electric Picnic and Longitude this summer.
From winning the BBC Sound of 2018, to moving Helen Mirren with her performance on the Graham Norton Show and storming the stage at her Shepherds Bush Empire headline, Sigrid’s unforgettably impassioned live performances have sparked mass appreciation and defiant, rebellious pop songs.
With her Spotify following tripling since the start of the year, and streaming numbers reaching almost 400M globally, Sigrid is undoubtedly set to continue her ascent.
Tickets from €39.90 inclusive go on sale Friday, November 9 at 9am from Ticketmaster so make sure to set your alarm.
The Spice Girls have FINALLY confirmed they are reuniting for a major stadium tour across the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, Victoria Beckham won’t be joining the girls on tour.
Posh Spice may not be there to shimmy around arenas to Wannabe, but there’s no doubt the tour will be a massive success.
The band announced the tour with a news bulletin style video.
Emma Bunton, Mel C, Geri Halliwell and Mel B will perform across the UK with a string of stadium concerts scheduled in for June 2019.
The popstars will perform in Manchester, Coventry, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Bristol and London, and rumour has it they’ll be announcing a world tour very soon, so keep your eyes peeled for additional dates.
Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, November 10 at 10:30 am and you’d Wannabe quick because there’s no doubt they’ll be swiped up.
After selling out their Whelan's show, which is scheduled for Thursday, 6 December, The Blizzards have now announced a SECOND show for Friday 7 December. Thank the Lord for that.
The Blizzards vs Tebi Rex are releasing the second single I Need A Win from their upcoming full-length album next week, and lucky for us it will be available across all digital platforms.
All Tvvins are one of Ireland's biggest new bands, making a steady rise since 2016 with the release of their debut album llVV, which debuted at number two on the Irish charts.
They are now returning to the stage to anticipate the unveiling of their second album Just to Exist, giving us a taste with their newest single Hell of a Party.
The track was chosen as 2FM's Tune of the Day, supported by John Kennedy at Radio X and added to some of Spotify and Deezer's most popular playlists. No biggie…
Our new single "Infinite Swim" is out today, you can download/stream now! https://t.co/3csBIZQOXh
We are also delighted to announce we will be headlining the National Stadium Dublin on April 13th and will be joined by the amazing @SorchaRichardsn. Tickets on sale next Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/FLsyWrqKjh
Judging by how UNREAL their most recent tune is, the album is going to blow everyone away. Keep a sharp eye out for these boys, the duo are definitely going places.
The duo are stepping up a gear, announcing support from talented Dublin singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson for their major headline gig at the National Stadium Dublin.
The band plan on evolving their fresh and fluid style of creativity, pushing the boundaries of their sound whenever they can.
very excited to announce that I'll be supporting @alltvvins at the National Stadium Dublin in April. Tickets on sale Tuesday pic.twitter.com/Nxzb7EwHfM
The band, comprising of Conor Adams and Lar Kaye, are signed with Warner Music, and have also decided to gift us with another forthcoming album track ‘Warm Crush’ as well as a skeletal acoustin version of Infinite Swim.
These lads just keep on giving.
Infinite Swim was produced by All Tvvins' friend and collaborator, the amazing James Vincent McMorrow, so it's sure to be a banger...
The album process was kick-started by McMorrow, who contacted the boys about working on a new track together. 'Twould be hard to say no.
The momentum is rising for the band with their forthcoming second album and a headline show at The National Stadium, don't miss out on a chance to see the duo live.
The gig with support from Sorcha Richardson will take place on Saturday 13 April 2019. Tickets from €27 on sale Tuesday 6 November at 9am, doors open 7pm.
Halloween is offish over so we can now talk about Christmas and New Years without sounded crazy, right?
Now in its seventh year, New Years Festival Dublin [NYF Dublin] is back again to help us ring in 2019 with three unreal events – a dazzling lighting spectacle called Liffey Lights Midnight Moment and 3Countdown Concert with amazing music acts that will give you a New Years Eve night to remember.
We can officially reveal that the headlining act is none other than the fab Gavin James.
Supporting acts are Hudson Taylor, Inhaler and Wild Youth.
Gavin James is taking to the stage and we are buzzing about the news – as is he.
''I'm very excited,'' he says. His album is, Only Ticket Home, came out last week and it has already climbed to the top of the charts.
He's also getting ready to go back to touring; something he loves.
''I've got a little scooter that I use now while Im on tour to get around. I''m trying to get friends that come with me do it too – we can be a little scooter gang.''
Speaking of NYE, what's in store for him in 2019?
''World tour time. We're heading to London, Europe, then America which will take me right into festival season, it's pretty full on.''
His NYF show also might be a little different to the previous ones – all thanks to his brand new Les Paul guitar.
While acoustic guitar is his thing, he just might mix it up – so you might hear some electric guitar courtesy of Mr Gavin James come NYE.
Also on the bill is Irish folk/Americana duo Hudson Taylor made up of brothers Harry and Alfie.
Harry admits that NYE is generally a "divisive" night but one that him and his brother love, mainly because they go out busking.
Plus "its good to do the cheesy countdown thing."
We couldn't agree more.
Fresh from supporting Hozier, the Hudson Taylor lads might be gearing up for their own headline tour in the new year. So what better time to see them then to close out 2018?
To make it even better, their younger sister Halli will join them on stage and she herself has just released her first single, "Fukc Fear" so she is one to watch – exciting stuff.
Also playing will be Dublin four-piece Inhaler, who might be fresh from their Leaving Cert but they are more than ready to put on an amazing show.
So what should you expect from them?
"A lot of new songs. We only have two songs on Spotify and they came out like two years ago and our music's changed since then."
Their influences include a lot of 1980 's references – think Depeche Mode. While they've been playing together since 2016, 2019 looks set to be the year where they are gonna be releasing new music and a brand new single.
With amazing artists like these playing at NYF, you know where you gotta be on the 31st of December – see you there.
Tickets for NYF Dublin are 29.90 including booking fee and will be on sale from Monday November 5th qt 9am from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and www.ticketmaster.ie.
Some of you 'Bah, Humbug' folk will be over the moon after hearing this statistic.
Christmas music is a divider for many people, some are blasting it the second the Halloween decorations come down, and others would sooner go deaf than hear a single note of Deck the Halls.
Clinical psychologists have now claimed that listening to too much Christmas music at an early age negatively impacts your health. This could 100% affect some of us little elves.
According to psychologist Linda Blair, listening to Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on repeat could actually have a bad result on your brain. I mean, once it gets stuck in your head it's essentially impossible to get out.
"Music goes right to our emotions immediately and it bypasses rationality. Christmas music is likely to irritate people if it’s played too loudly and too early."
"It might make us feel that we’re trapped – it’s a reminder that we have to buy presents, cater for people, organise celebrations." Stressful, in other words. Like doing all of your Christmas shopping on December 24.
She told Sky News: “People working in the shops at Christmas have to tune out Christmas music because if they don’t, it really does stop you from being able to focus on anything else."
“You’re simply spending all of your energy trying not to hear what you’re hearing.” Read it and weep, all you festive gals
Music psychology researcher, Dr Victoria Williamson backed this research up, explaining the ‘U-shaped relationship’ between the amount of times we hear music that we like and our ‘subsequent reaction to it’, writes Cosmopolitan.
She says the first few renditions of the Christmas playlist can put people in a great mood, but after a while it can wear you down.
All those carols and lyrics talking about Santa and mince pies seem more annoying when you're actually trying to concentrate, there's no denying that.
Marketing professor Eric Spangenberg has studied the effect of holiday music in retail settings, claiming to NBC that slow tempos slow shoppers down, meaning that they will stay in shops longer whereas fast-paced tunes can rush customers through stores much quicker.
Hmm, seems legit.
#HappyHalloween to everyone except people who are already listening to Christmas music.
Best-selling band Picture This has just announced that they will be playing five shows at Dublin's 3Arena in March 2019.
The lads, Ryan Hennessey, Jimmy Rainsford, Owen Cardiff, and Cliff Deane, will be taking to the stage from the 27th to the 31st of March and we are SO there.
The band is the most streamed Irish act of 2017, the biggest selling Irish Artist Album of 2017 and currently the biggest selling Irish Artist of 2018.
PICTURE THIS – 5 Night Run
3Arena :: 27/28/29/30/31st March 2019
Tickets are starting at €49.90 and will be on sale from Wednesday 24th October at 9am.
Formed two years ago, the band has also announced a new single entitled One Drink.
The song marks the arrival of the bands awaited second full-length album, MDRN LV, which will be released in stores and at all digital retailers on February 15th, 2019.
Their 3Arena shows are part of the MDRN LV European tour which includes shows in London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Amsterdam and Stockholm.
Superstar P!NK has announced that she will play her first Irish show in six years next summer.
The Just Like A Pill singer will bring her Beautiful Trauma World Tour to Dublin's RDS Arena on June 18th 2019.
Tickets for the show, which will surely be as awe-worthy as her previous concerts on Irish soil – this is to be her first live show here since 2013 – will go on sale from Ticketmaster from next week; on October 23 at 9am, priced from €69.50, including booking fee.
She will be joined by special guests Vance Joy, KidCutUp and Bang Bang Romeo on the night.
P!NK’s Beautiful Trauma World Tour, kicked off in Phoenix, USA in March this year, and has already seen the singer thrill crowds across America. Her concerts showcase the best of P!NK as a supreme vocalist (she sounds better live than on CD) and physical performer; she is renowned for her incredible acrobatics throughout each show.
Thank you Sydney, the last two nights have been magical. The last 3 or so months have been both amazing & challenging for my family and I, but I remain forever grateful for the time we’ve had together in your beautiful country & for the years of friendship and memories. 42 shows!!
Thankyou Sydney, the last two nights have been magical. The last 3 or so months have been both amazing & challenging for my family and I, but I remain forever grateful for the time we’ve had together in your beautiful country & for the years of friendship and memories. 42 shows!!
She also recently wrapped her Australia and New Zealand leg of the tour, which with its 42 shows wasn't without its tougher moments; the entertainer had to cancel and then reschedule some shows due to trying to maintain her health and take care of her family on the road, but thankfully, she seems to be in the whole of her health as she gets ready to embark on her European tour.
In case anyone has been living under a cinematic rock, you’ll 100% have heard the perfection that is Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s new movie: A Star is Born.
Between the singing, the emotional acting and the beautiful soundtrack, we pretty much exploded with all those feels.
It looks like we’re not the only ones who felt that way: Gavin James has released a cover of the song Shallow on Twitter and it’s as good as you’d imagine.
Went to see “A Star is born” and it put me in a glass case of emotion.. so I thought I’d do a little bit of “shallow” pic.twitter.com/rYnRHPo5LG
The singer continued to keep the prank up, even commenting on Pop Crave’s Insta when they unrevealed the joke.
Ariana responded to their caption ‘Ariana Grande trolls fans with what appears to be the music video (?) for “breathin” starring her pet pig, Piggy Smallz’, with 'This is the official video.’
Although most thought it was hilarious, one person did not and let her grievances be known.
A user commented, "this era is a joke and lazy" – OUCH.
Ariana didn't take too kindly to the criticism of her new music and responded with an emotional statement.
"This era is beautiful to me but I don't know. Been through hell and back and I’m doing my best to keep going" – Preach it gal.
"Thought this would make you laugh while you wait for the real one because I took a break to take care of myself for a little while. My b," she added.
And, Ariana being the badass b*tch that she is, blocked the teenager.
In response, the teen said ‘Hi to all of the Ari fans that came to hate on me. I honestly didn’t even think she’d see my comment nor reply. I honestly don’t like sweetener that much (except a couple songs) and that’s just my opinion."
"Maybe I should have said it a little nicer or not at all but I can’t take it back. She blocked me which is understandable considering how many people she’s blocked recently and I think I deserve it. I don’t hate her and I’ll never hate her. I just dislike this era/album. I’m sorry if I hurt any of her fans. You can hate on me all you want I don’t care. I’ll laugh with you. [sic].’
The moral of the story is kids, if you're gonna dish up some hate, particularly to someone who has recently gone through the mill, don't be surprised when the backlash arrives.
Remember what your momma told you, if you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Ariana might be a superstar, but she is also human.
Kylie Minogue has announced that she won't be taking to the stage in both Dublin and Belfast tonight and tomorrow as part of her Golden Tour and our hearts are broken.
The pop legend was due to perform at Dublin’s 3Arena tonight and Belfast’s SSE Arena tomorrow night, although she has now bowed out of both performances due to a throat infection.
Kylieeeee.
She took to Twitter to let her fans know the bad news writing, “I’m so sorry to let you know that I can’t do tonight’s Dublin or tomorrow’s Belfast shows.''
Lovers I’m so sorry to let you know that I can’t do tonight’s Dublin or tomorrow’s Belfast shows.
I’ve been trying everything possible to be well enough to perform for you but a throat infection has led to vocal strain. 1/2
She continued, 'I’ve been treating everything possible to be well enough to perform for you but a throat infection has led to vocal strain.”
Although, the good news is that she is working out rescheduling the dates.
“I promise I’ll be back as soon as possible and at 100%. (The Guinness will be on me!). We’re working on rescheduling and more details will follow. I’m so, so sorry to let you down and thank you for understanding.''
I promise I’ll be back as soon as possible and at 100%. (The Guinness will be on me!)
We’re working on rescheduling and more details will follow.
I’m so, so sorry to let you down and thank you for your understanding. 2/2
For those who don’t know, she is the musical genius behind 11 Chainsmokers’ songs (including Grammy-winning Don’t Let Me Down), Dua Lipa’s New Rules, David Guetta’s Say My Name, and so many more.
The rockstar has written some of her own music as well which you’ve most likely heard, including Paranoid and Hurt by You.
All of the New York native’s music has one thing in common – it is 100 percent honest.
Her lyrics are brave and daring, exposing the toxic side of love that no one wants to talk about. And her new album is seriously amazing! Combining her previous singles with new releases, it will take you on an emotional journey of pain, love, mistrust and finally, letting go.
It is so refreshing to hear about real relationships in the singer’s songs, and this is really important to Emily. She writes everything from personal experience so people can connect with her on an intimate level.
“It starts off as my own thoughts,” she explained. “I have to allow myself to get uncomfortable.
“The more honest I am in my writing, the more possible it is for people to connect with it. Because if you say something vulnerable, it’s something that other people have felt too.
“I try to have each song pinpoint a moment or a specific feeling and explore that.”
Dubbing her album “a diary”, the singer explained a huge part of song-writing is about becoming vulnerable. “It shows me at my most exposed and shows things that I’m more resistant to talk about in real life.”
And a lot of her songs are about how helpful and scary becoming this vulnerable can be, especially in relationships.
“I don’t know if everyone needs to share it as much as a songwriter does,” she said. “But in order to fall in love at all, you have to open yourself to the possibility of getting hurt. It’s scary but it’s a part of it. If you always have a wall up, you’ll never fully feel what it’s like to open yourself up to another person.”
Her music is all about taking these risks and reminiscing in the moment because that’s what love is all about. However, she also vocalises the fears that hold us back from fully opening ourselves up to another person.
One thing Emily, like most of us, does is get caught up in her own headspace, overthinking things way too much.
“I’m definitely an overthinker. Part of the reason I wrote [Paranoid] is because it’s so possible to get a small thought in your head and indulge in it, letting it spiral out of control. It turns into a whole story you’ve made up. Working through that and getting through being paranoid, jealous, suspicious, and not-trusting is crucial in order to get anywhere.
“I’ve a lot of friends who are in relationships where they don’t fully trust the other person and it’s endlessly painful. I was experiencing some of that too and working through that was a big level up.”
This could be caused by the massive influence social media has on modern-day relationships. Technology has transformed relationships from what they were in previous decades.
“My grandparents met when they were like 16 or 17 and that was it,” Emily explained. “There was never a question about anything. I think now there’s so many options that even if something’s good, people wonder ‘what else is there because I can easily meet someone on an app right now’.
“And culturally, music from when my grandparents were kids is so different from music now. It was all pretty much sweet love songs and now there’s hardly any just straight-up love songs. I definitely think that culture and social media are impacting that, and it’s really hard to navigate.”
In the movies, the girl meets the guy and they end up happily ever after. There’s no guidebook to navigating relationships in the technological age. What do we do if he’s liking another girl’s Insta pictures or snapchatting an ex? And is it wrong to innocently flirt with other guys online?
If we ever feel lonely, our phones are always in reach to give us the attention we seek, whether it’s Tinder or a new Insta compliment. And sometimes this compensation can keep us in a toxic relationship in the real world. We get what we need online, so we don’t notice as much when our partner isn’t giving it to us.
Staying in an unhealthy relationship “stems from insecurity and just not thinking that we deserve anything better”, Emily said. She’s seen this in a lot of her friends’ and her own relationships.
“They put up with the bullshit because this person loves them. And that’s something I think about a lot in songwriting, like New Rules. Music has the power to influence things like that. If you can convince people that they deserve better that, as scary as it is to be single for a second, it’s better than constantly dealing with someone who’s taking advantage of you.
“Ugh! That’s such a common thing and it’s sad because it’s really frustrating to try and convince somebody of that when you see it so clearly and they don’t.”
We’ve all been where Emily has – seeing a friend with someone that’s making them unhappy, but they refuse to admit it to themselves. They are too close to the issue to see it. So, where do they get this concept from?
At some point, when girls are growing up they learn that men can get away with ill behaviour if they are in love. They start making excuses for the guy that their dating. “It was just one time” or “He didn’t mean it, he was just drunk (or angry)”.
“Film, tv, and music” are part of the reason, Emily answered. “What I’ve been noticing just from being in writing rooms this past year after #metoo and everything went down is that the tone is actually changing for the first time.
“People won’t suggest certain lyrics that they would have suggested a year ago. We underestimate how powerful lyrics are that are on the radio or how movies are. If you watch a movie now from the 90s, it’s pretty shocking what the girls are putting up with. They would never make a movie like that now.
“So, I do think media is a reflection of culture, one informs the other back and forth. It’s everywhere and it’s finally changing. It may take some time, but I do think it will have an impact.”
Women have began standing up themselves against the big guys like Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby. And it’s exciting to be a part of this generation, as the tide begins to shift towards equality.
However, when it comes to modern relationships there is still this circling fear of ‘putting a label on it’.
“Having a bunch of friends who are now in open relationships or people getting married really young, it’s kind of all over the place right now,” Emily agreed. “What I’ve learned in making this album and in my own personal life over the last year is that there is no right answer or right way to do it.
“Trust your gut. Maybe you will fuck it up. That’s the point of Hurt by You, maybe it will all go to shit but you still do it, you still have to experience it. As painful as heartbreak can be, it’s unavoidable and it’s part of life – to know that and let yourself be vulnerable is probably one of the best ways to experience being a human being."
Emily’s album "Quiet Your Mind" explores all the feels we get in relationships – before, after, and during. It doesn’t hold back but strips us down to our most vulnerable selves.
It comes out today so make sure to check it out on Spotify.
