KNEECAP – 19 FEBRUARY – THE WORKMAN’S CLUB
It takes a particular kind of rap group to rhyme ‘marijuana’ with ‘Connemara’, and Kneecap happens to be exactly this group. With songs that effortlessly alternate between rapping as Gaeilge and in English, this Belfast-based trio gained infamy after RTÉ’s Raidio na Gaeltachta banned their single Cearta for its profanity and drug references. Gangsta rap with a large helping of Adidas tracksuits may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Kneecap are worth it for the novelty of their bilingual lyrics and their brash depiction of youth culture. Catch them at the Workman’s Club for a show that promises to be mad craic, but remember to brush up on your Gaeilge first.
Tickets from
€11.53
Check it out if you like: N.W.A., Dr. Dre, Versatile
BRASS AGAINST – 27 FEBRUARY – THE BUTTON FACTORY
Founded on the belief that we’re living in an era that needs to protest music more than ever, the members of this Rage Against The Machine-inspired brass group originally came together as a response to the rise of Trump. More than a tribute band, Brass Against reimagines the music of Rage, Tool, Black Sabbath and more through covers that channel the rebellious spirits of their heroes. Despite it being hard to do justice to these iconic songs, Brass Against succeed in creating excellent standalone versions. With their unconventional instruments and powerful female vocals, this is a band that is forging its own brand of attitude-filled rock music that doesn’t seem like it should work but really does.
Tickets from €20.83
Check it out if you like: Rage Against The Machine, Black Sabbath, Tool
Æ MAK – 8 MARCH – THE GRAND SOCIAL
Æ Mak’s music experiments with tribal rhythms and synths drawn out of vocal samples to create a joyous confusion of human and electronic noise. This Dublin-based band’s distinctive sound layers ethereal melodies over earthy baselines to form sophisticated art pop that is full of playfulness. A natural-born performer, singer Aoife McCann accompanies her celestial harmonies with jerky movements and dances that seem to have come straight out of an aerobics class. Æ Mak’s experimental style and natural weirdness are what makes the band’s music and performances so much fun, and one not to be missed this March.
Tickets from €15.46
Check it out if you like: The Knife, Tune-Yards, Fever Ray