James Arthur Makes Comeback Birmingham Gig One To Remember!

I had the absolute pleasure of flying over to Birmingham from Dublin on Wednesday night to witness a revitalised James Arthur play a sold out gig in the O2 Institute.

I reckon this year alone, I went to over 50 gigs, and I can say with my hand on my heart that this gig would definitely be in my top 3 for 2016 - he absolutely smashed it!

It's been well-documented about James' personal struggles with addiction but I think that is what made his new album that little bit special. 'Back From The Edge' deals with those problems and comes straight from the heart, and I have to say, seeing those tracks performed live, with so much meaning and emotion is sensational.

The gig itself lasted the guts of two hours as he performed close to 20 songs, old and new, and the crowd held on to every single word, with of course 'Impossible', 'Recovery' and 'Say You Wont Let Go' being particular favourites!

Next year promises to be just as busy for the X Factor winner as he heads off on another UK Tour in March which is pretty much sold out! He's also releasing the music video for his newest single 'Safe Inside' on Christmas Day, so make sure you keep an eye out for that!

Craig Gallagher Releases New Track and Announces Dublin Show

Sit up and take note of this guy. I've been harping on and on about his music over the last year or so, but I genuinely think he has the ability to make it big!

Being good friends with Gavin James has also resulted in Craig getting some great exposure as a support act, most notably at the 3 Arena on Friday night where his set went down really really well with all those in attendance.

Friday was also a significant day for Gallagher because he released his track "Stay" on Spotify and iTunes etc, and I have to say, it sounds incredible and I'm looking forward to giving it a few spins on my radio show in the New Year.

Following on from that, he also announced that he will be playing his very own headline show at the iconic Dublin venue, Whelan's, next February 17th. After that, he'll be travelling over to Amsterdam, where he has quite a big following and will headline the Paradiso on the 13th March.

Keep an eye out for this guy in 2017 because I honestly feel like things might just take off! I already mentioned his new track and make sure you check that out! But here's another little taster of his music!

Gig Review/Interview with Janet Devlin

Gig Review/Interview with Janet Devlin 

I had the absolute pleasure of travelling over to The Cluny2 in Newcastle over the weekend to catch up with Irish singer/songwriter Janet Devlin and review her gig in The Toooon!

I must admit that I've always liked the way Janet goes about her music. She's an independent artist and although funding may be an issue, it gives her a licence to be as creative as she pleases! She's currently on a UK Tour and she admits that she's delighted to be back on the road.

"It's been intense! I'm absolutely knackered but it's been so worth it, I sometimes forget gigging is part of my job because I'm so used to just writing music and recording music. Performing live, for me, is the hardest part especially in intimate venues because I'm still quite a shy person but meeting people after the shows and listening to how happy my music makes them, makes it all worthwhile for me!"

Janet mentioned intimate venues, and I'd imagine The Cluny2 in Newcastle had a capacity of around 200, which was close to full last weekend and having experience playing in bigger venues, she agreed that there is something special about intimate shows.

"I've played in arenas and stuff and it's a totally different experience because it's so de-personalised, you can't see anybody, whereas tonight, I could see everybody, if someone laughed or coughed I could hear it, and that for me, is special!"

A couple of months ago, Devlin released a cracking new tune called 'Outernet Song', which we have featured before on the blog, and while it is a catchy, upbeat track, it also deals with quite a number of serious issues that we presently have in society.



"I started writing that song about three years ago, and earlier this year it kind of re-entered my head and I added a few things to it and decided then to release it. Because it was written over the course of three years, there is quite a lot in it. It talks about me, what people have said to me, the internet and trying to get off the internet, but it means a lot to me and I'm glad the response has been so positive!"

Devlin aaalso released a new Christmas EP called 'Little Lights' and I would urge you to check it out on Spotify and iTunes etc. because there are a few little gems on that track!

"I brought out December Daze last year and when I listened back I realised that I kind of left a few things out, and I think Christmas time just combines so many emotions at once and I wanted to get that across in Little Lights. There's no one solid mood in the EP like the song Wake Up is truly depressing and it ends on Christmas Kiss which is just about walking into a pub in Ireland during the festive season!"

Although she now lives in the UK, Ireland will always be Janet's home and she caps off her tour with two shows up North, in Belfast and Omagh and understandably she can't wait!

"Playing at home is very different because number one, you hear familiar accents and that's a pleasant surprise and two, especially when I play in Omagh, it's weird because I see all my friends and family and that can be really scary but it's a good way to end the tour because it makes me push myself as a performer, like, performing in front of people you know is the hardest thing. But I'm looking forward to it."

Janet just has the six following dates left on her Opium Tour:
04 Dec - Convent, Gloucester
08 Dec - Union Chapel, London
09 Dec - Deaf Institute, Manchester
10 Dec - Platform, Lincoln
14 Dec - The Empire Music Hall, Belfast
16 Dec - Strule Art Centre, Omagh

Her show in Newcastle was one of the best gigs I have been to over the last couple of months. She has the ability to silence a room solely with her voice, and that to me, is an incredibly difficult thing to do. 2017 promises to be an exciting year for the Independent artist and we will no doubt keep a close eye on her here at View From The Stalls.

Picture This Release Christmas Song

Irish Sensations Reveal New Track "This Christmas"

I'm honestly running out of time and space on my blog to keep up to date with what these fellas are doing!

Let's recap quickly shall we? In the last couple of weeks, they have finished up their SOLD OUT UK & Irish Tour, they've released details of their 2017 tour, they're gearing up to play the RTE 2FM charity gig in the 3 Arena this weekend, they've played a surprise gig at the Ruby Sessions in Doyle's Pub and now they have just released their Christmas track "This Christmas".

The track was actually brought out last year and was one of the first songs I ever played on KFM Radio from the lads, but this time it's a much bigger production with an incredible choir providing backing vocals!

You may recall I wrote a blog post back in January saying that Picture This were one to watch in the Irish music industry for 2016. I predict they are the ones to watch INTERNATIONALLY for 2017. Mark my words.

In the meantime, check out the latest track below, you'll be hearing it a lot on your radio this month!

The Japanese House Announces UK & European Tour

Rising Star Reveals Tour Dates In UK & Europe Next Year 

I would have to say I would be lying if I told you that Amber Bain aka The Japenese House isn't my guilty pleasure; I absolutely love her music!

In recent times she has supported The 1975 on numerous occasions and has always received an exceptional response from fans wherever she has played. That said, she is more than capable of selling out venues when it comes to her own headline shows and that is particularly evident on her current US Tour where the majority of her gigs were sellouts!

The news of her UK & European Tour emerged yesterday afternoon and was met with great excitement on social media. You can check out the full tour dates below and also have a listen to her amazing track "Face Like Thunder".

Thus far, no date for Ireland has been announced which means I shall be travelling once again to review her gig - Hamburg is looking promising!

The Japanese House UK & European Tour Dates

24 Apr - John Dee, Oslo
25 Apr - Lilla Hotellbaren, Stockholm
26 Apr - Vega Jr, Copenhagen
28 Apr - Supersonic, Paris
29 Apr - Trix, Antwerp
02 May - Prinzenbar, Hamburg
03 May - Kantine, Berlin
05 May - Chapeau Rouge, Prague
06 May - Chelsea, Vienna
07 May - Papiersaal, Zurich
09 May - Academy 2, Oxford
10 May - Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
11 May - Gorilla, Manchester
12 May - Academy 2, Leicester
13 May - O2 Institute 2, Birmingham
15 May - Think Tank, Newcastle
16 May - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
17 May - KOKO, London

Picture This Announce 2017 Tour

One Of Ireland's Best Loved Bands Release More Tour Dates

To be honest, it's absolutely no surprise that Picture This have announced a tour for 2017 following a sold out UK and Irish Tour this year!

I travelled over to King Tuts in Glasgow to review their first ever headline show in Scotland and it was absolutely phenomenal, and I believe the three gigs in the Olympia Theatre were very very special too. 

Throughout this upcoming tour, the lads will revisit Dublin, Belfast, London, Cork and Glasgow, as well as adding a date in Birmingham too!

Tickets are on sale next Wednesday (November 30th), check out the full dates below!

PICTURE THIS 2017 TOUR DATES

18 May - Electric Ballroom, London

23 May - Hare and Hounds, Birmingham 

24 May - Oran Mor, Glasgow

30 May - Olympia Theatre, Dublin

31 May - Olympia Theatre, Dublin

01 Jun - Olympia Theatre, Dublin

07 Jun - The Waterfront, Belfast

09 Jun - The Marquee, Cork

Gig Review: Walking on Cars @ The Liquid Room, Edinburgh

Irish Band Smash First Headline Show In Scottish Capital

Last week's gig at The Liquid Room was the first time Walking on Cars had ever headlined in Edinburgh and judging by the reaction, it certainly won't be the last.

It was also my first time in the city and I have to say, aside from the music, the two days that I spent there travelling around, I completely fell in love with the place and I'll definitely be making a return too!

You might remember I reviewed Walking on Cars' gig in London a while back and I was full of praise. I guess the reasoning behind me heading over to Scotland was to see what response they got. Here in Ireland, we all know that they are a huge, huge success. A sold out show in the 12,500 capacity 3 Arena justifies that!

The Liquid Room however, held around 800 people which suited me perfectly. I love intimacy when it comes to gigs and I think the band also fed off that buzz.

They played every song off their critically acclaimed debut album "Everything This Way" and pretty much every word was sang back to them, which I always find fascinating when I'm in another country!

Of course, the crowd favourite was the very last song which is what lead-singer Patrick Sheehy described as "putting Walking on Cars on the map here in Scotland." Which song am I talking about? Speeding Cars. You can check out the video for that track below!

I'm not usually a huge fan of clichés but practice certainly does make perfect and it's clear to see that all the touring that the band have done over the last number of months and even years has undoubtedly made their performances absolutely faultless.

There's an energy, a passion and an excitement that just oozes from the stage and that keeps the audience engrossed for the duration of the show.

A quick mention to the support act as well, Mr Tor Miller. I have to hold my hands up and say that I wasn't overly familiar with his music before the gig but he did impress me and will more than likely feature on the blog in the not too distant future.

Walking on Cars still have plenty more tour dates to get through; you can check out the full listing on their website www.walkingoncars.com

Grace VanderWaal Releases Lyric Video For "I Don't Know My Name"

America's Got Talent Winner Drops New Video

This girl is, undoubtedly, the most talked about 12 year-old in the entire world at the moment. The 2016 AGT Winner has racked up hundreds of millions of views on her videos online and has also received high praise from the most powerful names in the entertainment business, with Simon Cowell claiming she is "the next Taylor Swift" an Howie Mandel stating that she is an "absolute superstar".

Since winning the show, Grace only seems to be going from strength to strength and has signed a record deal with Simon Cowell and Columbia Records, performed during the half time interval of a New Yorks Knicks game and also made an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon!

Just over six hours ago, Grace released the lyric video for the song she actually performed for her audition and astonishingly, it already has 145,000 views. I can honestly say that this song is one of my favourite this year and I'm incredibly excited to see what the future holds for Miss VanderWaal.

I would highly highly recommend keeping up to date with her on Twitter and Facebook because things are about to take off fast! Her debut EP "Perfectly Imperfect" will be available everywhere from December 2nd.

Ryan O'Shaughnessy Releases New Album

Dublin Singer/Songwriter Releases 'Back To Square One'

If you check out the blog regularly, you'll be aware that a while back I posted an in-depth interview with Ryan O'Shaughnessy, talking about his Britain's Got Talent experience, what he's learnt since then and what the future holds. He also popped in to KFM Radio for a chat and live session, and I have to say, having heard his story and listening to his music, this album was one I have really been looking forward to. 

The name for the release is perfect because what I gathered from talking to Ryan on both occasions was that he felt as though he was starting his musical career again, but the music contained within the album portrays his maturity and experience as an artist.

If you're wondering how the hell you can listen, yesterday it was made available on all good music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Also, if you live in either Dublin or Toronto, I've got some good news; to celebrate the release of the new album, O'Shaughnessy has announced a couple of shows in both cities.

DUBLIN DATES

16 Nov - The Grand Social (Official Album Launch)

28 Dec - Ollie's, Skerries

TORONTO DATES

24 Nov - The Cavern Bar

01 Dec - The Cameron House

02 Dec - Lee's Palace

Here's a little taster of one of the tracks on the album 'Waste Another Day'. Credit to the incredible Christian Tierney for the video.

Gig Review: Picture This @ King Tuts, Glasgow

Gig Review: Picture This @ King Tuts, Glasgow

For anyone who was of the impression that Picture This were just a success in Ireland, I can assure you that after seeing them perform to an adoring crowd in Scotland, that couldn't be further from the truth!

Thursday night's gig in the iconic King Tuts venue brought the band's four-date UK Tour to a close, having played in Manchester, Bristol and London earlier on in the week. 

If you're unfamiliar with Tuts, it holds around 300 people and when Ryan Hennessy got on stage, he announced that they sold it out, so as you can imagine, it was jammed.

It was the first time the band had played in Scotland and judging by their energy and stage presence, it was clear that they meant business right from their very first song - 'Saviour'.

Among their well known material, the guys sampled some new tracks which were instant hits with the fans. 

Obviously, songs such as 'Take My Hand', 'You & I' and 'Let's Be Young' got the best reception from the crowd, but for me personally, Hennessy's performance of a track called 'Jane' was the highlight. Before singing he spoke to the crowd, saying that usually artists would ask for people to take out their phones and hold up their lights, but instead, he wanted all phones away and everyone to be actually present in the room for the performance! An incredible performance and an incredible reaction. 

From a Scottish point of view, some of the best news they got was at the very end of the show when Jimmy Rainsford declared that they would "definitely be back!". No doubt the next time, the venue will be a whole lot bigger!

Also, just a quick word for the support act, Cape Cub, who traveled with the guys for the duration of their UK Tour. Trust me, they are a band that you should be keeping on your radar. We already featured their track "Swim" on the blog, but with a new release now available on Spotify, iTunes etc, 2017 promises to be an exciting year for them. 

As for Picture This, they still have upcoming gigs in Dublin and Belfast, all of which are sold out, so chances are, you'll have to wait until next year to see them!

Gig Guide: Marc O'Reilly's Album Launch @ Whelan's

Irish Singer/Songwriter Set To Launch 'Morality Mortality' On November 24th

This is a guy I've been keeping a close eye on over the past 6 months or so, and I have to say, it's been great to follow his success of late. 

Marc O'Reilly has just released his new album 'Morality Mortality' via Virgin Records and already it appears to be going down a treat! Radio stations up and down Ireland are beginning to sit up and take notice of his music and he's currently on a 40-date European Tour which sets him up nicely for an international breakthrough. 

The highly-regarded music magazine Hot Press reviewed the album as being 8/10 saying that 'Marc O'Reilly is an incredibly gifted guitar player and songwriter and with 'Morality Mortality' will surprise and charm you in equal measure.'

A great track called 'Of Nothing' was the first single from the album and European radio stations are beginning to add it to their playlists. I've attached the video for the track below so you can check it out for yourself!

Regarding live shows, as I said, Marc is currently touring Europe and you can find out what cities and venues he will be playing over the next couple of weeks on his website www.marcoreillymusic.com

The main event will take place on November 24th however back in the iconic venue of Whelan's in Dublin as he officially launches his new album and it promises to be a really special night! Once again, for tickets, check out the website!

Oddsocks Release Brand New Single

Dublin Based Band Offer A Little Taster Of What's To Come On Their Upcoming Album

I guess I just stumbled upon these guys by chance. Sorting through a couple of CDs and press releases at the radio station that I work for, I decided to give their single a quick listen, and boy am I glad that I did!

Immediately, Oddsocks hit all the right notes with me and I knew that I had to feature the new single on the blog along with a bit of info on their upcoming album release and launch tour!

November 18th is the all important date for your diaries because that's when their highly anticipated and progressive new album will be released for the world to hear! "The Sound Of The City" features punk-pop and soul performances along with the strong influence of producer Rian Trench. The lads also say that this record portrays a defined new direction for the band.

The actual album campaign itself kicked off last week with that release of the leading video/single "What You Trying" and you can check that out below and let me know what you think.

To mark the release of the album, Oddsocks will be playing in well known venues around Ireland over the next number of weeks and have announced that a host of guest musicians will join the core group for the live shows in what promises to be a multidimensional sonic feast!

Those dates include:

Nov 18 - The Sound House, Eden Quay, Dublin 

Nov 19 - 5th On Teeling, Sligo

Nov 25 - Eddie Murphy's, Thomastown, Kilkenny

Nov 26 - Nellie Fred's, Dingle, Kerry

Dec 02 - Coughlan's Live, Cork

Dec 03 - The Harbour Bar, Bray, Wicklow

For more information on how to get your hands on tickets and stuff, log onto www.oddsocksmusic.com

Gig Review: Aslan @ The Osprey, Naas

Aslan Kill It In County Kildare!

On a night when the Irish rugby team were creating history by defeating the All Blacks for the first time ever, Christy Dignam and the lads from Aslan were playing to an adoring crowd live at the Osprey in Naas.

I can say with my hand on my heart that Aslan are one of my all time favourite Irish bands and seeing them in my home county was an absolute pleasure.

Christy began the set by first of all apologising (light-heartedly) to the crowd! The reason behind that being that it has been years since the band have played in Kildare, but hey, absence makes the heart grow fonder eh?

The venue was absolutely packed to the rafters and from the minute Aslan walked on stage, all who were in attendance danced and sang every word!

Naturally, songs like 'Crazy World', 'Chains' and 'This Is' were real favourites but for the night that was in it, following Ireland's aforementioned victory, the band's rendition of 'Willie MacBride' went down a real treat and was met by rapturous applause and chants of "olé olé olé".

It's a known fact now that lead singer Christy Dignam has had a long battle with cancer and you can read more about that by checking out the interview I did with guitarist Billy McGuinness on the blog a while back BUT I have to say, it brought a smile to my face and gave me shivers down my spine to see Christy up on stage where he belongs, doing his thing!

I would highly recommend getting out to see the lads over the month of December. Their upcoming gigs are:

03 Dec - HMVSOUNDGARDEN, Sligo
10 Dec - Seapoint Ballroom, Galway
16 Dec - Project Club, Waterford
27 Dec - Vicar Street, Dublin
29 Dec - Vicar Street Dublin

One To Watch: Wolves of Youth

Donegal Based Band Are Definitely Worth Keeping An Eye On

I have to say, the Irish Music Industry is in a really really good place at the moment. It seems as though everywhere you look, great new bands keep appearing!

Wolves of Youth would definitely be one of my tips for success in the coming twelve months. The four piece band hail from Donegal and were formed back in 2014 and have already brought quite a bit of attention upon themselves with slots at festivals such as Electric Picnic, Sea Sessions and Indiependence. 

Following on from a busy summer, the guys have been in studio with producer Philip Magee, working on some new material! One such track is called "Say Something", which has been getting a great response since it's release on November 1st. In the space of just three days, the official audio video on Youtube is just shy of 1,000 views and it's just approaching the 1,000 mark on Spotify too. 

I'll throw the official audio video down below for you to have a listen for yourself aaaand if you like what you hear, check out their other tracks on Spotify too. 

Gig wise, the band are playing Tivoli Backstage Dublin on November 12th and will also be supporting the incredible Irish band The Academic on the last date of their upcoming Irish Tour in Galway on December 17th!

Litehouse Release Single "Catalyst"

Upcoming Irish Band Share Their Second Release

We've done a feature interview with these guys before and shared their first single "Black Cats" back in November, but now, it's time to introduce you to their second release.

I can honestly say that I haven't stopped listening to "Catalyst" on Spotify and with already over 1,000 streams in less than a week, it's clear that I'm not the only one!

Interest is continuing to grow around Litehouse and the lads headlined Whelans recently to a sell out crowd which proves that their Dublin fanbase is continuing to grow.

The four piece, from Monaghan, will be hoping that this latest track is as successful, if not more successful than their first which generated plenty of AirPlay and online reviews, however, having played shows in Sin E (Dublin) and McKennas (Monaghan) to celebrate the release of "Catalyst", it's clear that it's already becoming a fan favourite.

Have a listen for yourself on Spotify or iTunes! You won't be disappointed!

Three Irish Acts Prepare To Embark on Mini-Tour

Less Than A Month To Go Until The Tour Begins

TADGH, The New Social and Fallen Lights have all become new names in the music scene over the past year but have all achieved a huge amount of success in a short space of time.

They're trying to revive the good old fashioned sentiment of building bridges between other acts, touring together and helping each other build their fan bases. Having been introduced to each other by chance, the three acts thought it might be initially a good idea to play a show together but that soon developed into a mini tour now taking on Dublin, Slane, Galway and Belfast with more dates to be announced.

The management companies behind the three acts have also been given the bonus inclusion of Beatvyne, who pride themselves on connecting fans and artists. The Sound Feed who are a media platform for upcoming recording artists and lekmk promotions who are an upcoming concert promoter in Ireland are all contributing to help build and promote this tour with an inevitable outcome. Trust me, I would highly recommend you pop along to one of these gigs!

Tickets are available via eventbrite.com, bandsintown.com and from the venues on the night.

'Moves Me Love Me' Tour Dates:

4th Nov - The Grand Social, Dublin
9th Nov - Monroes, Galway
11th Nov - Boyles, Slane
15th Nov - BarSub, Belfast

Picture This Release New Music Video

"I Don't Know Why" Music Video Out Now!

These last few days have been manic for Picture This, who, after an exceptional year so far, were signed by the Universal record label. 

The guys have also completed a number of dates on their sold out tour, with gigs in the Olympia Theatre and the U.K. still to look forward to! 

However, amongst all the madness, they somehow found the time to shoot the music video for my favourite track off their debut EP. The track is called "I Don't Know Why" and as you'll expect by now, the video (set in a bedroom) is class too! I think the simplicity of it makes it special. Check it out below! 

The only way is up for these fellas! 

Gig Guide: 'The Shortgrass Sessions' @ The Ivy Inn, Naas

Superb Lineup of Artists This Week 

The Shortgrass Sessions returns to the Ivy Inn in Naas this coming Wednesday (Oct 19th) with David Keenan, Keith Plunkett and Elly D taking to the stage!

Tickets are priced at €12 and are available from the venue itself or www.downdaroad.com, but first, here's a little bit about the artists; 

David Keenan

Keenan is an extremely talented singer/songwriter hailing from Dundalk in Co. Louth. He first came to public attention when a video of him performing his original track entitled 'El Paso' in the back of a local taxi went viral both nationally and internationally. Following on from that, he continued to grow as an artist, performing at a number of different venues to adoring crowds. And most recently, this September he played at the biggest music festival Ireland has to offer, delivering a set at Electric Picnic's Village Hall. Keenan has a number of high profile admirers with Damien Dempsey going on record to say that "David has it all, voice, guitar playing, lyrics, he's a master of all three."

Keith Plunkett

I've seen this guy live on a number of occasions and each and every time, he keeps getting better and better. An incredibly hard working, dedicated and energetic musician, Keith Plunkett has built up quite a reputation for himself, playing at numerous festivals up and down the country and getting airplay on a considerable amount of radio stations too. He released his 4 track EP last year which did well in the iTunes chart as well as selling a number of physical copies too. He's supported acts such as Hermitage Green and Paddy Casey in recent times and can also be caught busking from time to time too! Keep an ear out for his track 'Jigsaw', it's a personal favourite of mine! 

Elly D

Elly D is an established artist from West Dublin who will return to the Naas venue following her appearance at the recent Hardly Strictly Acoustic Music Festival. She has a unique voice that has been likened to "Blondie's Debbie Harry meets Irish Songstress Gemma Hayes". Her wide vocal range and hooky melodies along with her uncompromising stage presence have made her stand out from the musical crowd. She also recently released a 4 track EP called "Rise" which I have to say I'm loving at the moment. Check out www.ellydmusic.com for more info! 

Wairwe Land Release New Single

Up and Coming Irish Band Officially Release "Cupid's Daughter" 

Fresh from playing a headline show in The Grand Social in recent weeks, energetic up and coming band Wairwe Land have released their latest single "Cupid's Daughter" over the weekend. 

The lads originally wrote the track a couple of years ago when they were in college but decided to scrap it because it wasn't coming together quite how they would have liked. 

However, in March this year, they opted to give it another shot, took their time with it and I have to say, the end product is quite slick!

Lead singer Sean McGrath says the song describes when "you can't get someone off your mind and no matter where you go or what you do, you feel as though that person is always there with you" 

The track was recorded in Temple Lane Studios up in Dublin and mastered in Abbey Road and is available on iTunes, Spotify and all other good music platforms. 

You can keep right up to date with the band's latest news on their official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. 

Gavin James Releases Incredible Cover of 'Sorry'

The Irish Singer/Songwriter Shares Outstanding Stripped Back Version of JB Tune

It's getting to the stage where I genuinely think there is nothing that this guy can't do! Once again, he has outdone himself with this mind blowing cover which appears to give Bieber's song a whole new meaning! 

Gav is currently on tour in the UK and I had the pleasure of popping along to his gig in Bristol a few days ago and he killed it as per usual. 

I don't know where or how he found the time to record this track but the end product is unreaaaaal! Check it out for yourself! 

Janet Devlin Releases 'Outernet Song'

Janet Devlin Is Back With A Brand New Track

Okay okay, we all remember Janet Devlin's mind-blowing rendition of Elton John's 'Your Song' for her X Factor audition, but trust me, there's a lot more to this artist than just that competition! 

Working independently, Janet is back with a quirky new track, which I guess deals with some of the issues in society at the moment as well as talking about her own personal experiences too, and I have to say, I kinda love it! 

'Outernet Song' follows up from her 'December Daze' EP which was released last winter and is also available on Spotify, iTunes etc etc! 

The next couple of months promise to be incredibly busy for Janet Devlin as she prepares to embark on a UK tour! I'll be popping over to Newcastle to write up a review! You can check out the dates, along with the official video to her new track below! 

23 Nov - Old Fire Station, Carlisle

24 Nov - Beat Generator Live, Dundee

25 Nov - Electric Circus, Edinburgh 

26 Nov - Tunnels, Aberdeen

27 Nov - Cluny 2, Newcastle

1 Dec - Worthing Pier, Worthing 

2 Dec - Drift Southsea, Portsmouth 

3 Dec - South Devon Art Centre, Totnes

4 Dec - Convent, Gloucester

8 Dec - Union Chapel, London

9 Dec - Deaf Institute, Manchester

10 Dec - Platform, Lincoln

14 Dec - The Empire Music Hall, Belfast

16 Dec - Strule Art Centre, Omagh 

Two Door Cinema Club Get Back On The Road Next Year

Two Door Cinema Club Announce UK Tour

You have to admit, this has been a long time coming! Fans have been crying out for Two Door to get back on the road with their music and, well, now their prayers have been answered! 

The guys have announced a tour of the U.K. early next year, spanning across the months of January and February, where no doubt they will be selling out venues with their older and newer tunes!

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am and you can check out all the dates below! 

24 Jan - O2 Academy, Birmingham 

25 Jan - Corn Exchange, Cambridge 

28 Jan - O2 Apollo, Manchester 

30 Jan - O2 Academy, Leeds 

31 Jan - O2 Academy, Newcastle 

02 Feb - Guild of Students, Liverpool 

03 Feb - Barrowlands, Glasgow 

04 Feb - Barrowlands, Glasgow 

06 Feb - O2 Guildhall, Southampton 

07 Feb - O2 Academy, Bristol 

10 Feb - Alexandra Palace, London 

The 1975 Announce European Tour

Tickets For The 1975s European Tour On Sale Tomorrow

These guys really are a band who came into their own in the year 2016 with the release of their brand new album which did incredibly well in the charts. 

A new album and a tour usually go hand in hand and so, during the week, they announced a European Tour at the start of next year, with Ireland being a notable omission in the first round of dates. 

That said, they played an outstanding set at Electric Picnic in County Laois, but no doubt Irish fans will be crying out for them to return with a headline show. 

The tour begins on the last day of January in Amsterdam and finishes in Stockholm on February 27th with stops in Spain, Germany and Denmark to name but a few along the way.

Check out the full list of dates below! Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning from 9am.


31st Jan - Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam
1st Feb - Zenith, Paris
3rd Feb - Sant Jordi Club, Barcelona
5th Feb - Barclaycard Centre, Madrid
7th Feb - Le Transbordeur, Lyon
8th Feb - Mediolanum Forum, Milan
10th Feb - Samsung Hall, Zurich
13th Feb - Palladium, Cologne
14th Feb - Rockhal Box, Luxembourg
15th Feb - Tonhalle, Munich
17th Feb - Stadthalle, Offenbach
18th Feb - Sporthalle, Hamburg
20th Feb - Stadt Halle, Vienna
21st Feb - Forum Karlin, Prague
23rd Feb - Forum, Copenhagen
25th Feb - Ice Hall, Helsinki
27th Feb - Ericsson Globe, Stockholm

Charity Talent Show To Take Place In The Academy Tomorrow Night

The Ross Factor Takes Centre Stage In Dublin

Inspired by teenager Ross Nugent, 'The Ross Factor' honours his creativity and love for music as well as raising funds for St Clare's Oncology Unit in Beaumont Hospital, as was his wish before losing his battle to cancer in 2010.

The talent show will see 8 finalists perform in front of a judging panel consisting of Christy Dignam and Joe Jewell from Aslan and Dermot and Dave from Today FM.

There will also be an interval performance from Christy while boyband 'Taken' will play a set during judges deliberations.

The gig is run by the Ross Nugent Foundation and if you want to check out more of the work that they carry out, you can visit their website www.rossnugentfoundation.ie, the site is regularly updated with a variety of upcoming events such as coffee mornings etc.

Tickets for this particular event, which promises to be a special night, can be bought on Ticketmaster or at the door on the night of the event (Thursday 15th September) and are priced at €14.35 each.

We Cut Corners Announce Album Release Date and Tour

November To Be A Huge Month For Irish Band

These guys were actually the first band I ever interviewed on my blog over a year ago, so I was delighted when I heard of their plans over the next few months.

We Cut Corners release their third, full length LP on Friday 4th November, as a 12” vinyl, CD and digital release on The Delphi Label

The self-produced album was recorded in a church in the Dublin suburbs and was mastered by Josh Bonati. It also features contributions from Villagers’ Conor O’Brien on bass, members of Booka Brass and the Fratres String Quintet.

Both We Cut Corners’ debut and sophomore albums were nominated for the Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year.

The live dates they will play to celebrate the release of the album are as follows;

5 Nov - Spirit Store, Dundalk

11th Nov - Cyprus Avenue, Cork

18th Nov - Roisin Dubh, Galway

19th Nov - Button Factory, Dublin

Megan Collins Announces Release Date For Her EP

Megan Collins Reveals Plans For Debut EP

I think I first came  across Megan Collins when I was off on one of my YouTube creeping sessions a few months ago - just clicking on random videos and songs, hoping to stumble upon a little gem, and when her cover of 'Somebody Else' by the 1975 popped up, it was exactly what I was looking for. 

She uploads to her YouTube channel quite regularly, with a mix of covers and originals and has built up over 10,000 subscribers, with her each of her videos getting thousands of views - so it was no surprise really when she announced that she would be releasing an EP and as she said herself, it's been a long time coming. 

"We Always Find A Way" will be released at midnight of the 24th of September on iTunes, Spotify and all other good online music platforms. What's more, the launch of the EP is a FREE GIG that night at The Southern Belle in Fulham at 7:30pm, where you will be able to get the exclusive live experience of hearing her new material along with some covers too. 

Jot down the date in your diary because I firmly believe this is the start of something special for Megan Collins. Keep up to date with all the happenings on her Twitter @megancollins23 

Aaaaand, if you can't wait until the 24th of September before listening to some of her stuff, here's a cover she did of one of Adele's summer hits. 

Gig Guide: Niamh Crowther Live @ Whelan's

Talented Songstress Takes To Stage At Iconic Dublin Venue

You might remember back in June, I bookmarked Niamh Crowther as being 'One To Watch', well this coming Friday, you have the opportunity to see exactly what I was talking about as she headlines Upstairs at Whelan's.

With the ability to silence a room with her voice, Niamh will no doubt be performing songs from her critically acclaimed debut EP along with a couple of older tracks too! In particular, keep an ear out for "Origins" and "I'll Be", which are two of my personal favourites, and have been generating quite a lot of airplay.

Support on the night comes in the form of Mitch Dowd and the highly rated band, The Dynamics. So it promises to be a special night of music!

For more information on how to get your tickets, you can check out Niamh's Facebook page, but if you want a little taster of what to expect on Friday night, here's that song I was talking about, "Origins"!

5 Acts Not To Be Missed At Electric Picnic

5 Acts Not To Miss At This Year's Electric Picnic

Picture This

Like I said in my last post about these guys, Picture This have become a household name in recent months. A number one EP and a sold out tour proves that the lads truly have captured the heart of a nation AND they're no strangers to a good ol festival either! You may have seen the video doing the rounds on social media of the entire crowd at Indiependence singing "Take My Hand" at the top of their lungs while Ryan, Jimmy and the gang just stood in amazement. Get down to Rankin Woods at 3:45pm on Sunday. You won't be disappointed!

Gavin James

Gavin James takes to the Main Stage at a festival for the first time in his musical career and I don't think anyone could disagree that he has certainly earned it. Gav is by no means a stranger to Electric Picnic and whenever he has played there, his set has gone down an absolute treat! Having just sold out The Marquee in Cork and preparing to play his biggest ever headline gig at the 3 Arena in Dublin in Novemeber, the only way is up for Mr James. Catch him on Saturday at 5:30pm MAIN STAGE!

Jack Garratt

This guy has well and truly been making waves in the music industry in recent times, so it's no wonder that his talent has filtered over to Ireland and he's playing Electric Picnic - not for the first time! It seems as though Garratt has already made an impression here as his show in The Academy in March had to be moved to The Olympia Theatre due to phenomenal demand! With tracks like "Breathe Life", "Worry" and "Surprise Yourself", I can guarantee you that you won't wanna miss this lad's set! Electric Arena, Saturday, 7:30pm.

Hermitage Green

I recently seen these guys at an intimate gig in Naas and they absolutely blew me away. So I can only imagine what they will be like playing to a festival crowd! One thing that really strikes me about Hermitage Green is that they all have an equal role! They all play instruments, they all sing, and their on stage presence is incredible. You can check them out on the Main Stage on Saturday at 2:45pm AND if you like what you hear, they have a headline gig in The Olympia on November 4th, just sayin'.

Aurora

There's just something I love about this lady's voice so I would definitely recommend popping along to see her at the Electric Arena on Sunday at 3:30pm. You might remember she was the voice on last years iconic John Lewis Ad and she is still quite young with a huge future ahead of her, so I have a feeling in a couple of years time you'll be looking back at when you saw her perform at EP!

Introducing: Tom Grennan

British Artist Tom Grennan Is Making Great Strides In The Music Industry

Trust me when I tell you to remember this guys name! 

Tom Grennan has a really, really exciting future ahead of him and is already beginning to make headway thanks to his cracking single "Something In The Water" which has been getting considerable AirPlay in the UK and now in his dad's homeland of Ireland! 

With an incredibly gritty and honest tone to his voice, it makes him all the more memorable. 

Tom has two gigs coming up in the next couple of months, playing at the Neighbourhood Festival in Manchester on the 8th of October, but before that, he'll be supporting Barns Courtney's headline show at The Borderline, London on September 14th.

Something tells me you're gonna be hearing a lot more of this guy in the not too distant future so check out his single right here! 

Chris Haze Releases New Music Video

Irish Singer/Songwriter Drops Music Video For "I'll Run"

Here at View From the Stalls, we're huge fans of Chris Haze, and always have been. His track "Let Us Be Heroes" has featured quite a lot on the blog and we were delighted to do a feature interview with him last year. 

He's an incredibly hard working artist with an extremely loyal fanbase and today he surprised those fans by releasing the video for his track "I'll Run". "I'll Run" is a top 3 selling single on iTunes and has received a great reception from critics! 

The video was recorded at the Grand Social in Dublin and directed by DG Media and we have to say the outcome is very, very slick. Check it out for yourself below and keep right up to date on all of Chris' exploits on his Twitter, Facebook and Website www.chrishazemusic.com

Ebony Day Posts Incredible Version Of The 1975's Track

Ebony Day Drops Powerful Version Of 'Somebody Else' By The 1975

This video was actually posted back in July but I'm only stumbling across it now and I honestly feel it's just too good to pass by.

Most of us, by now, will be familiar with the song by Matt Healy and the gang from their latest album; however, you won't have heard a version like this before.

Ebony has completely stripped back the original meaning for the song and turned the lyrics around so that they speak from the girl's point of view, and the end product is absolutely jaw dropping.

Have a look for yourself!

Picture This Release Brand New Music Video

Picture This Share Video For Their Track "For You"

If you're still not aware of these guys' music then you need to crawl out from that rock that you've been living under for the last 6 months or so. 

With a number 1 EP, a sold out Irish Tour and thousands of adoring fans, Picture This have well and truly become a household name. So it was no surprise that when they dropped the brand new video for their track "For You", it went down an absolute treat! 

It's not long now until the guys hit the road for the beginning of their tour which begins in Dundalk and finishes in Dublin! Along the way, they'll be stopping off in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny to name but a few. They also have dates in Glasgow, Bristol, London and Manchester and tickets are still available. Just check out their Facebook page. 

But in the meantime, enjoy the new video! 

Irish Band, Scoops, Are Hitting The Road Again

Scoops Announce Headline Winter Tour

 

I honestly don't think I could recommend going to see these guys live enough. 

 

Scoops are, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best live bands to emerge from Ireland in the last year or so. So, with the news that they have just announced a headline tour towards the end of this year, now is your perfect chance to grab a ticket for a show or two!

 

The lads also recently just released the official music video for their track "Stuck On You" which I have attached below! 

 

TOUR DATES 

28 Oct - The Islington, London

4 Nov - Cobblestone Joes, Limerick 

5 Nov - Nelliefreds Dingle, Kerry

11 Nov - Shortts, Waterford

17 Nov - Olde Ship, Arklow, Wicklow

19 Nov - Grand Social, Dublin

24 Nov - Crane Lane, Cork

25 Nov - Luker's Bar, Shannonbridge, Offaly

27 Nov - The Fence, Mullingar, Westmeath

2 Dec - McGettigan's, Galway

3 Dec - The Backroom, McGrory's, Culdaff, Donegal 

4 Dec - The Basement, McHugh's, Belfast

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry Jay Hughes Releases "Medieval City"

Irish Singer/Songwriter Releases New Single 

Following on from the success of Barry Jay Hughes' first single "One Petal Down", he has decided to release a beautiful new track "Medieval City" from his EP "Tried and Treasured" which was brought out in April of this year.

The EP itself has five tracks which were produced, recorded and mixed by Little Wolf Records. It also contains two bonus pieces which were recorded live at Coffee Hill Studios in Dublin and you can check out the video they recorded for the new single, below!

Barry Jay will be busy over the next few weeks and months as he travels around Ireland for the Tried and Treasured Tour. Here are some upcoming dates;

01 Sep - Chapter One, Cavan
10 Sep - Terry's Bar, Monaghan
15 Sep - Crowbar, Dublin
20 Sep - Charlie Malones, Limerick
21 Sep - The Old Quarter, Limerick
23 Sep - The Glyde Inn, Louth
24 Sep - The Little Blue Room @ John Brownes Bar, Longford
04 Oct - Salmon Leap, Kildare
12 Oct - The Globe, Dublin
20 Oct - Odd Mollies, Drogheda

Also, who doesn't love free stuff? So, now would be a good time to let you know that you can download Barry Jay's latest single completely free on his website www.barryjayhughes.com

Sorcha Richardson Releases Brand New Track

Sorcha Richardson Releases "Walk Away" 

If you're a fan of Sorcha Richardson's music, then I've got some good news - expect quite a lot of new tunes to be heading in your direction in the not too distant future! 

"Walk Away" is the first song of a new project which will see the artist consistently release music every couple of weeks for the next 6 months or so. 

The American based, Irish artist, has been working hard on new material over the last while and I know people will be waiting with baited breath to see the outcome. And judging by this track, she's doing a heck of a job! 

Check it out for yourself at this soundcloud link https://soundcloud.com/sorcharichardson/walk-away-1

And keep right up to date with all Sorcha's musical exploits at www.sorcharichardson.com 

Gig Guide: Kolumbus Set To Launch EP

Gig Guide: Kolumbus Set To Launch EP 

Following the recent airplay success of his ‘I Hope You Find Happiness’ track, Kolumbus (AKA Mark ‘Cappy’ Caplice), takes to the stage this Friday, at Dublin’s Grand Social, to launch his EP, ‘Give Them Life’.

Featuring the single, ‘I Hope You Find Happiness’, and the forthcoming single ‘Civil War’ , ‘Give Them Life’ is Kolumbus debut physical release.

Ever since I came across his music, I have been a huge fan. The style of music and lyrics are strikingly unique, so no doubt that this EP won't be the last release from Kolumbus.

Special Guests on the night will be Gavin Glass and Mark Campbell.  

Check out the official video for 'I Hope You Find Happiness' below!

Gig Guide: Hardly Strictly Acoustic Music Festival

Gig Guide: Hardly Strictly Acoustic Music Festival

The Ivy in Naas, County Kildare will host the Hardly Strictly Acoustic Music Festival this coming weekend with an outstanding line up, showcasing some of the best talent that the Irish Music Industry has to offer. 

Over a three day period, music lovers will be treated to headline acts such as Bunoscionn, The 4 Of Us and Ryan O'Shaughnessy and Davie Furey to name but a few! 

As well as that, new up and coming acts will be given an opportunity to get up on stage and perform to what promises a packed venue! Grainne Fahy, Keith Plunkett, Olivia Burke, FIELDS and Hvmmingbyrd are just a small taster of who to keep an eye out for across the weekend. 

The festival is organised by Kildare based label DownDa Road Productions who have a number of the acts that are performing signed to the label.

For ticket information check out Facebook or www.hardlystrictlyacoustic.com.

EP of the Week: "Dear Joey," by Anna Pancaldi

EP of the Week: "Dear Joey," by Anna Pancaldi

With a tour of the United States just completed and a headline UK show to look forward to in October, it's safe to say that Anna Pancaldi has been extremely busy so far this year! And to be honest, that's probably the reason I stumbled upon her music - simply because she's so active!

Furthermore, that show on the 12th of October in St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch, London, is actually to release a brand new single and her upcoming third EP! So, I thought it would be a good idea to feature her current EP "Dear Joey," just to give you a little taster of what to expect from her next release!

"Dear Joey," was released back in April and went to number three in the singer/songwriter charts on iTunes, an incredible feat which was supported by the fact that she also sold out a headline show in the renowned venue of St Pancras Church in London, SIX WEEKS before the actual gig! 

You can check out the three track EP by following this soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/annapancaldi/sets/dear-joey

The interest has certainly grown around Anna, particularly in the UK, where Tom Robinson of BBC 6 Music has been giving her quite a lot of airplay and Dermot O'Leary of BBC Radio 2 described her as being "Really polished!". O'Leary said that about her "Runaway" from the "Dear Joey," EP which you can check out below! 

Keep right up to date with upcoming shows and releases on Anna's official Facebook page and Twitter! 

Introducing: Lake Komo

Brand New Music from Lake Komo

The minute I heard these guys, I knew I was on to something special! A relatively new group, Lake Komo are certainly worth keeping an eye out for in the coming months - especially if their latest single 'Milwaukee' is anything to go by. 

The track is one of the first the band ever wrote together and explores a break-up frontman Jay Nudd experienced one university summer not too long ago and the emotional trials and tribulations that followed.

Directed by Franklyn Banks, the accompanying video sees Jay embark on a journey of discovery across America, cementing Milwaukee as the band's summer anthem. 

Jay said, "we wanted a video that would mirror the sentiment of the song whilst giving the viewer a real sense of discovery and wonder, and a roadtrip up the Californian coast gave us the perfect opportunity to do that. The warmth and positivity of the American people we met along the way acted as the perfect accompaniment to a song which mainly looks at self discovery, realisation and the excitement of things to come".

The guys have been working hard in the studio with producer Cam Blackwood putting the finishing touches to their debut album. They're also preparing to embark on a massive UK Tour. Check out the video for their single 'Milwaukee' and upcoming tour dates below!

Lake Komo Tour Dates

5 Aug - St Thomas Church, Lancaster

8 Oct - Neighbourhood Festival, Manchester 

9 Oct - Talking Heads, Southampton 

11 Oct - Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham 

12 Oct - Sin City, Swansea 

13 Oct - The Rolleston Arms, Swindon 

14 Oct - Met Lounge, Peterborough

15 Oct - Carefully Planned Fest, Manchester 

16 Oct - Talking Heads, Southampton 

18 Oct - The Horn, St Albans

19 Oct - Lending Room, Leeds 

20 Oct - Boileroom, Guilford 

21 Oct - Picture House, Sheffield 

23 Oct - Craufurd House, Milton Keynes 

25 Oct - Stereo, Glasgow 

26 Oct - Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh 

27 Oct - Fat Sam's, Dundee 

28 Oct - Think Tank Social, Newcastle 

29 Oct - Lincoln IMP, Scunthorpe 

EOIN!

Will Joseph Cook Announces UK Tour

Up and Coming Singer/Songwriter Announces UK Tour

Will Joseph Cook is certainly one of the rising stars of the UK music industry, with an incredible talent for writing and a superb on-stage presence. Because of the growing interest in his music, Will has responded by revealing the news that this autumn he will be embarking on his very own, solo UK Tour.

I stumbled across his music about 6 months ago and was impressed straight away, but it was when I saw him supporting Walking on Cars in the O2 Forum in London that I knew he was destined for bigger things.

If you get a chance, definitely pop along to one of his gigs (see below for dates) but in the mean time, check out the video for his latest track 'Take Me Dancing'!

TOUR DATES

26 Oct - The Chameleon Arts Cafe, Nottingham
27 Oct - The Exchange, Bristol
29 Oct - The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
31 Oct - Brudenell Games Room, Leeds
01 Nov - The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
02 Nov - Dingwalls, London

Song of the Day - "Glasgow" by The Snuts

Song of the Day - "Glasgow" by The Snuts

Trust me when I say that you'll be hearing a lot more of these guys in the not too distant future. The Snuts well and truly have began to cause a stir in the music industry, particularly in their home country of Scotland. 

Their debut single "Glasgow" has almost 5,000 views on YouTube and has been streamed over 11,000 times on Spotify, with people calling out on social media for the guys to produce more tunes ASAP!

Check them out on Spotify and Soundcloud and you can keep right up to date with all their activity on Twitter @TheSnuts_ but in the meantime, check out their debut track below!

Picture This Release New Single

Picture This Bring "Lets Be Young" Into the World!

Ah just when we thought these guys couldn't get any better... they go and feckin get better! Literally just off the stage at the Sea Sessions Festival in Bundoran and Ryan and Jimmy have released their latest single "Lets Be Young" and fans are already raving about it on social media. 

This track was definitely one of the most anticipated releases of the year so far, mainly due to the fact that their other releases have been so successful! 

I think I have already said anything that can be said about these guys on my blog in previous months so I'll just let the music do the talking.. Check it out! 

EP of the Week - "Lost or Gone" by Aislinn Logan

EP of the Week - "Lost or Gone" by Aislinn Logan

Every now and then when I'm browsing through Spotify, I stumble upon a real hidden gem, something that makes the hairs stand on the back of my neck. This time round, it was Aislinn Logan's incredible four-track EP "Lost or Gone".

Aislinn's distinctly unique voice, superb lyrics and exquisite melodies, make this EP very, very easy on the ear! 

I spoke to her during the week and her commitment to her music is admirable. She moved over to London from Northern Ireland at quite a young age to focus solely on her music career and judging by this release, that move has paid off!

She has a couple of gigs coming up over the summer (check out her Facebook page for more info) but perhaps most notably at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on the 19th and 20th of August, as well as a show at The Islington in London on July 3rd. 

Trust me when I say that this artist has a very exciting future ahead of her and is definitely one to keep an eye on over the coming months. Check out her live performance of one of the tracks on the EP below!

Lost or Gone Track Listing   

1. Wild

2. Flying Kites 

3. Iron Wax 

4. Poison 

Gavin James Announces UK Tour

Irish Singer/Songwriter Will Return to the UK in October

The word of Gavin James' exceptional talent is beginning to spread from Ireland and travel around the world. The United Kingdom seems to have taken a particular interest in the Dublin native, so it's just as well that he has announced a UK Tour this October!

The tour spans from the 2nd-21st of the month, calling at 13 towns and cities along the way! The most notable show is on the 7th at Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, mainly because it shows how far the musician has come! He has moved from smaller venues like Scala, to a bigger one such as Koko but October will see his biggest headline show in the capital. 

The tour also includes two dates in Scotland which has always been a successful place for James to play!

October will round off what promises to be a busy summer for Gavin James as he is playing numerous festivals around the continent, leading up to his largest ever headline show in the 3 Arena, Dublin in November!

Gavin James UK Tour Dates, October 2016

2nd Oct - The Haunt, Brighton

3rd Oct - Thekla, Bristol

4th Oct - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth 

6th Oct - Sub89, Reading 

7th Oct - Shepherd's Bush Empire, London 

8th Oct - Cavern, Exeter

11 Oct - Glee Club, Birmingham 

12 Oct - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham 

14 Oct - Gorilla, Manchester

16 Oct - Plug, Sheffield 

17 Oct - Independent, Sunderland 

19 Oct - Beat Generator, Dundee 

20 Oct - Oran Mor, Glasgow

Song of the Day - "Eyes Fixed" by Mike Vass feat. Mairi Campbell

Song of the Day - "Eyes Fixed" by Mike Vass feat. Mairi Campbell

Mike Vass is one of the most creative forces on the Scottish music scene. As a musician, composer, producer and arranger Vass has amassed a body of work that encompasses early appearances as a livewire young fiddler, collaborations with many of the leading voices among today’s Scots and Gaelic tradition bearers, delivering multi-media performances, overseeing critically acclaimed recordings, and scoring for prestigious ensembles.

I'm delighted to feature his track "Eyes Fixed" with the very talented Mairi Campbell as the Song of the Day here on View From the Stalls. The track is a beautiful combination of outstanding music and exquisite lyrics, which makes it very easy on the ear!

It has been getting quite a lot of traction on social media and already has over 3,000 views on YouTube. No doubt people will be keeping a close eye on what Mike has up his sleeve for the future. 

You can check out the video for "Eyes Fixed" below and don't forget, if you want to keep right up to date with all of Mike's activity, you can follow him on Twitter (@saystheking) or like his page on Facebook (@vassmusic)

Tyler Ward Releases Powerful Tribute To Christina Grimmie

A Song For Christina Grimmie 

The world was well and truly shocked over the weekend when the story broke that YouTube and Voice star, Christina Grimmie had been fatally shot following a show in Orlando. 

Reports say that Grimmie was signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans at a merchandise stand when a man approached her before opening fire, shooting Christina and then turning the gun on himself. 

Tributes began to flood in on social media with singers, fans, family and friends paying their respects to the extremely talented musician. 

Among those tributes was one from Tyler Ward, a fellow musician and friend of Christina. I have followed Tyler's career on YouTube for a number of years but I have to say, the video he posted today completely and utterly blew me away. 

He has released a track suitably called "A Song For Christina Grimmie" in which he explains the extent of their friendship and reflects on the memories they had together. It is exceptionally powerful, brilliantly written and very, very emotional. Check it out for yourself below!

Jess Glynne Announces UK & Ireland Tour

Jess Glynne Is Hitting The Road Later This Year

Jess Glynne has well and truly made her name on the world stage over the last couple of years with outstanding releases, a superb attitude and great live performances!

Therefore, it was no surprise that fans were overjoyed today when she announced her "Take Me Home" tour on social media. The tour is largely in the month of November, with one gig taking place on December 1st. It's spread out over a two week period, calling at nine venues along the way! 

From an Irish point of view, Glynne was here not so long ago, selling out the Olympia Theatre, but when she returns in November, she has bigger and better plans - performing in the significantly larger 3 Arena! Also, don't forget, she will be here before then when she joins Walking on Cars and Kodaline on stage for what promises to be a cracking outdoor gig in Marlay Park on July 8th. 

If you check out the link in the bio of Jess' Instagram account (@jessglynne), you can sign up for Wednesday's pre-sale tickets for her upcoming tour! Check out the all important dates below PLUS the official video for her track "Take Me Home" which is undoubtedly my favourite Jess Glynne song, taken from her debut album 'I Cry When I Laugh'!

Tweet me and let me know if you're planning on popping along to one of the gigs! 

Take Me Home Tour Dates

18 Nov - Genting Arena, Birmingham 

20 Nov - Echo Arena, Liverpool 

22 Nov - 3 Arena, Dublin 

24 Nov - First Direct Arena, Leeds

25 Nov - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle 

27 Nov - Brighton Centre 

28 Nov - Plymouth Pavilions 

30 Nov - The O2, London 

01 Dec - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Introducing: Fallen Lights

Introducing: Fallen Lights

It seems as though Ireland truly has gotten into the habit of producing top class bands and artists and Fallen Lights are no different. With a quirky on-stage presence and a superb ability for songwriting, these guys are certainly ones to keep your eyes on over the next few months. 

I've followed their music online for quite some time but only saw them perform live for the first time last weekend when they supported Scoops in Whelan's, and I have to say, they were incredible, as I expected.

Although, what impressed me most actually didn't happen while they were on stage, it happened before the doors of the venue even opened. The guys randomly popped up to the top of the queue of fans waiting to go inside and began to perform on the spot. It's acts like that which will help them live long in people's memories and make their gigs all the more special. 

That said, as I mentioned, they have a natural gift for songwriting and the banter and quirkiness they have on-stage ripples through the crowd. I got chatting to the lads afterwards and they have a lot planned for the next couple of months and we will keep you right up to date here on View From the Stalls. 

In the meantime, check out the official video for their track "If I Only Knew" and if you like what you hear, browse their Facebook page for details of how you can get your hands on their EP. 

One to Watch - Niamh Crowther

One to Watch - Niamh Crowther

I had been hearing quite a lot about Niamh Crowther over the past couple of weeks from various people in the Irish music industry, so, I decided to browse her Spotify one night and immediately understood what the hype was all about. 

Her voice, her lyrics and her music completely blew me away and got me excited about what the future may hold for this rising songstress. 

She came to prominence around the age of 16, when she claimed the prestigious Youth Music Awards, defeating over 15,000 other young artists. Following on from that, a succession of well received singles further enhanced her reputation. 

Crowther has supported the likes of PictureHouse, Mundy and Blink, as well as performing at numerous events and festivals around Ireland. 

Her debut EP is out now and the two tracks "Little by Little" and "I'll Be" have been generating a lot of radio play in Ireland and the UK.

She is expected to make an announcement regarding some live shows in the not too distant future and we will of course keep you right up to date here on View From the Stalls! But in the meantime, check out my favourite song of Niamh's, "Origins" below!