Gig Guide: October/November 2017
By Arnoldas Jursys | Oct 17 2017
ST VINCENT – 20-21 OCTOBER - OLYMPIAThe music of Annie Clarke (stage name St Vincent) has gone from strength to strength. After releasing several smaller projects, her first real breakthrough into the indie sphere came in 2007 with Marry Me, which set critics raving. Her subsequent work has built her into a true player in modern pop, collaborating with heavyweights like the Chemical Brothers and David Byrne of Talking Heads. Recently she’s dropped funky singles, ‘New York’ and ‘Los Ageless.’ Each comes with a visually distinctive music video, and a sound which retains her soft-pop roots while not shying away from some pit-of-your-stomach beats. Tickets are €28.50 but running out, so move quick and move dirty to avoid disappointment.GRACE JONES AND FRIENDS LIVE – 25 OCTOBER -IFI/LIGHTHOUSE CINEMA (DOCUMENTARY) - STREET 66 (NIGHT OUT)Grace Jones is a pop culture phenomenon whose androgynous style and immense talent serve to make her a goddess in both music and fashion. The IFI and Light House Cinema will be showing a new documentary, Bloodlight and Bami, giving a glimpse into her life both on and off stage. After the screening Jones herself, live via satellite, will give a talk, along with some of her contemporaries. If you still haven’t had your fill, Street 66 will be hosting a night with guest DJs, where you can dance away to some of Jones’ finest. Tickets are €11 (IFI) or €12 (Light House), while entry to Street 66 is free.AIMEE MANN – 28 OCTOBER - NATIONAL STADIUMWant to hear what real soulful music sounds like? Here’s an artist whose sound is not-quite-alternative, with trickles of folk and upbeat pop moments. A gripping storyteller, her recently released ninth solo album, Mental Illness, was memorably described by Consequence of Sound as ‘the equivalent of washing someone’s mouth out with soap.’ Mann is also known for her cameos in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Big Lebowski – think green nail polish! Expect songs both old and new from this veteran. Tickets are at €40, but for such a legendary artist, you will not regret it.MULATU ASTATKE – 27-28 NOVEMBER - SUGAR CLUBAnd now time for some Ethiopian jazz! Lively melodies from vibraphones, conga drums, keyboards, and organs, with a wonderful Latin flavour are the minimum to be expected here. Astatke’s name has been spreading rapidly westwards, with his sound being sampled by Nas and Damian Marley, among others. He has worked with Harvard and MIT in developing updated versions of traditional Ethiopian instruments. Recent releases include his 2016 album Cradle of Humanity, a collaboration with Black Jesus Experience. Tickets are €33.50.