Gig Guide- November

THE DECEMBERISTS – 4 NOVEMBER – VICAR STREET Drawing on sources as diverse as Japanese folklore, Shakespeare and the Troubles for their lyrical content, The Decemberists are perhaps best appreciated with Lyrics Genius and a bunch of Wikipedia pages open on your phone. However, the Oregon-based band is also famous for its eccentric live performances which involve audience participation and paper-mâché props. A staple encore of their tours is the iconic accordion-accompanied retribution ballad ‘The Mariner’s Revenge Song’, during which the audience is encouraged to scream like they are being swallowed by a whale while the musicians lay ‘dead’ on stage.  If you enjoy intellectual tongue-in-cheek indie rock with a penchant for storytelling, prepare your best whale-attack shrieks and head to Vicar Street on November 4th.   Tickets from €36.50 Check it out if you like: Neutral Milk Hotel, The Mountain Goats, Bright Eyes RAYE – 8 NOVEMBER – THE ACADEMY RAYE, a.k.a 20-year-old Londoner Rachel Keen, was signed by a major label after winning the approval of Years & Years’ Olly Alexander with her song ‘Hotbox’. Since then, she has collaborated with Charli XCX, Drake, Jonas Blue and Major Laser. On this solo tour, RAYE will be showcasing her trendy, attitude-filled R&B. She combines soulful electronic pop with the afrobeat rhythms she grew up listening to with her Ghanaian grandmother to create her trademark sound. Check her out at the Academy on November 8th for a set you won’t be able to resist dancing to.   Tickets from €20 Check it out if you like: Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Tove Lo SHAKEY GRAVES – 16 NOVEMBER – VICAR STREET Alejandro Rose-Garcia of curiously named Shakey Graves is a mysterious creature. Known for his gritty, bluesy brand of Americana and hobo-chic aesthetic, it may surprise his fans to learn that he debuted his childhood acting career as a minor character in the Spy Kids franchise. After starting out as a self-styled one-man band with a drum made out of a suitcase, Shakey Graves has since expanded to involve other performers, though Rose-Garcia still often performs solo. If you’re a fan of atmospheric, slightly spooky folk music sung with a hint of a lisp, head over to the Liberties to catch Shakey Graves on November 16th.   Tickets from €25 Check it out if you like: Kurt Vile, The Lumineers, José Gonzalez