Q-Tip in Temple Bar: Queens-born rapper Q-Tip will make his Irish debut in March. The former A Tribe Called Quest frontman released his second studio album Renaissancein late 2008, and will hit The Button Factory on March 13th, thanks to hip-hop promoters Choice Cuts.
Swede endings:
Swedish pop band Alphabeat are the latest band to leave EMI Records since the label changed ownership last year. The Fascinationhitmakers denied that they had been dropped, instead claiming that they decided a change was required before embarking on the recording of their second album.
Cracking Codes:
Dublin band Codes have been announced as guests of Keane at the piano-rockers’ Irish gigs this weekend. The indie-electro act recently recorded their debut album and will warm up crowds at the Odyssey tonight and The O2 on Sunday.