Fame has come remarkably quickly for Lily Allen, with her sensational debut album Alright, Still hitting the No.1 spot in the week of its release. But, with babysitting for Bez on her CV, anything is a breeze – and the bolshie young singer is taking it all in her stride. Plus, having lived in Ireland for a number of years, she has more than a few interesting tales to tell. Just don’t ask her about Bob Geldof...
Fresh from his Glasto appearance with Lily Allen, Terry Hall talks about his friendship with Damon Albarn and the enduring influence of his band, The Specials.
In case you haven’t been monitoring the zeitgeist recently, Lily Allen is the sharp, sassy, 21-year-old daughter of UK comedian Keith Allen, who’s recently become known as the poster-girl for the MySpace generation.
She’s a mouthy young Londoner who knows how to strum a guitar and isn’t afraid to diss ex-boyfriends in song. Just don’t call Kate Nash the new Lily Allen.
The first live Brits since 1989 took place at Earl's Court in London last night, with Lily Allen walking away empty-handed despite being the most nominated artist.
With ‘Starz In Their Eyes’, there were plenty of criticisms thrown at Jack Alsopp, which he deflected thanks to the quality of that song. ‘Glory Days’, however, does give grounding to the belief that he’s a poor man’s Mike Skinner or Lily Allen. This ode to cannabis is a down-tempo track which suits the spring slowly creeping up on us, put it’s not a patch on his former single, nor anything else his contemporaries have achieved.
They've masterminded recordings by Lily Allen, Estelle and Kate Nash, to name a few. In this exclusive interview, Future Cut lift the veil on their whizz-bang production techniques.
They once blagged a soccer scholarship to America as a laugh. Now back in the UK with a number one album, The Hoosiers are at the forefront of their very own scene: “odd-pop”.
The superstars of today are inevitably the unknown newcomers of yesterday. In the final countdown to Oxegen 09, we trace the journey of two of the New Band Stage’s previous headliners, who have gone on to have glittering careers – and who feature at this year’s event.
This is a fairly bland, but nonetheless charming and inoffensive album that’s bound to sell in massive quantities to the same people who bought the last Dido record.
Snow Patrol are among the top acts on the bill for the Children in Need show being organised by Take That's Gary Barlow at London's Royal Albert Hall on November 12.
English singer Pixie Lott looks like being the latest pop sensation on the block. The stage-school trained 18-year-old already enjoyed a number one single earlier this year with ‘Mama Do’, and this month sees the release of her debut album Turn It Up.
Annual article: Soul sensation Amy Winehouse has the voice of a fallen angel and the mouth of a docker. And that’s before she’s even got a few vodkas into her.
The work of Birr fashion illustrator Sorcha O’Raghallaigh is attracting nods of approval even from those who have little interest in fashion. Jackie Hayden talks to her as her second exhibition comes to Dublin.
The Bird And The Bee’s sweet retro-rock has proved a surprise underground sensation. And nobody is more taken aback than the California duo themselves.
They're one of the biggest names in indie-dom but, with album number three about to be unleashed, Kaiser Chiefs can still go out on the town without being pestered by paparazzi.
The Duckworth Lewis Method, a.k.a. Neil Hannon and Pugwash’s Thomas Walsh, have posted two tracks online from their upcoming Irish cricket concept album (yes, you read that correctly!).
Whether feeding dubious cups of coffee to celebrity chefs or coercing Joe Strummer to dress up as an Indian on Top Of The Pops, Alex James is a man who knows how to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of life.
We’ve tipped them for success in the past, and now, with a New Year upon us, Laura Izibor, Dirty Epic’s SJ Wai and Fight Like Apes’ MayKay are set to sweep all before them.
As predicted, Snow Patrol emerged the big winners at the Meteor Music Awards, which took place at The Point in Dublin last night. Click for photos from the night
A talent as refined as Kate Walsh is a true rarity. This is a record devoid of cynicism, beautifully naïve in many respects and all the more engaging for it.
Apparently, Mika is playing this year’s Oxegen. If he’s to make an impact there, he’ll need to pick up some stage tips. Maybe he should stop listening to Queen and start watching them instead.
Never mind pressies and OD’ing on cranberry sauce, the important thing about Christmas is that it signals the return of the HP-10 Summit. Absolutely no blushes are spared as Ireland’s rock ‘n’ roll elite dissects the musical year that was 2006. Keeping order: Stuart “Paxman” Clark. Taking photos: Graham “Paparazzi” Keogh. Taking the piss: Eyebrowy
Never mind pressies and OD’ing on cranberry sauce, the important thing about Christmas is that it signals the return of the HP-10 Summit. Absolutely no blushes are spared as Ireland’s rock ‘n’ roll elite dissects the musical year that was 2006. Keeping order: Stuart “Paxman” Clark. Taking photos: Graham “Paparazzi” Keogh. Taking the piss: Eyebrowy.
Gather round, children, and let me tell you all about The Bird And The Bee. A 30-something, flirtysomething Californian duo, the bird is the angelically voiced Inara George and the bee is multitalented instrumentalist Greg Kurstin.
Dizzee Rascal’s third album is an inspired affair, building on the basic sonic template of his acclaimed first two albums and adding new layers of audio trickery. Make no mistake about it – this is one mean sounding record.
Without wanting to condone their hero’s chemical excesses, Babyshambles aficionados would be forgiven for worrying that a newly rehabilitated Pete would mean an end to the gloriously anarchic Babyshambles shows of the past. Judging by this Heineken Green Spheres gig however, they may rest easy.
Given the musical originality showcased over these 12 brilliant tracks, Hudson and his bookish chums could easily wind up being just as popular. They certainly live up to Great Expectations.
Right from the first reel, this is one of the most thrillingly self-assured Irish debuts since, well, The Thrills’. Despite being fellow Dubs, though, Director are coming from a very different place.
"When it’s not swinging, her mood is mostly downbeat, melancholy and soulful. Her greatest asset is her smoky voice, reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald with a pop sensibility."
Some of the country's leading music industry figures joined thousands of people for the Music Show, a two-day celebration of all that's good about the recording arts in Ireland.
