As Ireland prepares to meet the old enemy at Twickers – expect mass national celebration/mourning at around ten to six tomorrow – Free Music Friday has assembled the perfect soundtrack to get you pumped up for the big game.
 
“We had joy, we had fun, we had Arsenal on the run…” Damon Albarn covers that much-loved ‘70s Millwall terrace chant on BBC 2’s Dermot O’Leary Show.
 

 
And if you missed the wonderful BBC Culture Show special on the flying solo Blur man, it’s archived at [link]link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid2891602644001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAyiIY-k~,nwbxG65xosW8z8aXdWqxrpPMzG2U6HdH&bctid=3219598357001[/link]
 
The folk at Noise Trade excel themselves this week with free – but you’re welcome to tip! – albums and samplers from Ingrid Michaelson, Meshell Ndegeocello and Bear’s Den whose ranks include a fine hipster beard.
 

 

 

 

 
American National Public Radio come up trumps again with this sensational download acoustic set from the Manics’ mate, Cate Le Bon.
 

 
We’re also indebted to [link]www.npr.org/series/98679384/first-listen[/link] for the new St Vincent, Beck, Neneh Cherry, The Notwist, Death Vessel and Phantogram album streams; [link]3voor12.vpro.nl/luisterpaal/albums.html[/link] adds Tinariwen, Angel Olsen, Bast, Dearworld, East India Youth, Slomatics, The Jezabels, Mark Maguire and Quilt to the mix; and depending on the location of you and your computer [link]albumstreams.com[/link] provides upfront listens to Natural Child, Flagland, Hunting, CTZNSHP, Cataldo, Black Mare, Ida Maria, Hannah Peel, The Hotelier, Magic Touch, Mozes And The Firstborn, Bleeding Rainbow, Friend Roulette, The Afghan Whigs, Guided By Voices – Irish tribute act Voided By Ponces will be pleased! - and lots more.

There's some rollicking rock 'n' roll to be had courtesy of Keepers Of Doubt, a Dublin outfit who know how to pen a killer terrace chant chorus. Best enjoyed on a madzer night out!

 
Superstar Belfast DJ David Holmes makes his Kilkenny debut on April 19 in the SET Theatre.
You might get a sneak preview of one of the tunes he’s currently recording in Los Angeles with Keefus Green and Jade Vincent under the UNLOVED banner.
With classic Disney films, Raymond Scott, the Shangri Las, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and Jack Nitzsche among the influences, it’s a most intriguing prospect.
 
 
 
Phoenix’s fab ‘Entertainment’ gets an overhaul from Dirty Projectors at [link]wxrt.cbslocal.com/2014/02/19/the-dirty-projectors-remix-phoenixs-entertainment[/link].
 
Nicole Atkins has a [link]soundcloud.com/thirtytigers/nicole-atkins-girl-you-look-1/s-8XEmG[/link] freebie from her Slow Phaser album, which is in all good – and a few shite – record shops now.
 
You have but a few days to bag the acoustic version of American Authors’ ‘Luck’ at [link]www.mtv.com/artists/american-authors/#vh1[/link]
 
Also in acoustic freebie mode are The Fallen Drakes who reckon have a big 2014 in front of them.
 

 
The very fine [link]www.rollingstone.com/music/daily-download[/link] has free tunes from up and comers Heaven’s Basement, Kevin Seconds, Twin Forks, Stone Jack Jones, Dontae Winslow, Joseph King and Lydia Loveless.
 
Panti’s ‘Noble Cause’ speech – which is addressed in the current issue of Hot Press by Graham Norton – has been sampled and turned into banging house tune, ‘Oppression’. 
Grab yourself a copy on ITunes and help get Ms. Bliss and Out!Rage into the charts!
 

 
Sticking with the same subject, and Elaine Mai – also discussing homophobia in the current HP – is donating all the money from iTunes downloads of her fine ‘EDC’ single this month to Marriage Equality.
The accompanying video is equally fab.
 

 
Following this week’s extremely disturbing events in Sochi, Pussy Riot strike back with the Vladimir-bating ‘Putin Will Teach You How To Love The Motherland’.
Our Russian’s not the best, but there’s no mistaking the sentiment.
 

 
And that’s where Free Music Friday downs tools for another week and starts its pre-match stretches – we don’t want there to be any tweaked groins or hamstrings! Being of mixed Irish/English parentage, let’s just hope the best team wins! In the meantime, keep them lovely links coming to @stuartclark66