Friday
Popof
Button Factory, Dublin 11pm €15
soundcloud.com/popofofficial
Back in the day, Alexandre Paounov was on a much different musical tip. As part of the Heretik System, he was one of the main movers in the free party crew, playing what he calls "mental hard techno". These days, the Parisian DJ and producer releases house killers like last year's Love Somebody album for labels like Hot Creations, Cr2, Cocoon and his own Form label.
The Building Society
The Hangar, Dublin 10.30pm €15/€12
facebook.com/HangarDublin
Those seeking a bank holiday rave will be sorted with this one. Back in the 1990s, Altern-8's Mark Archer and Chris Peat put the bleep, the beat and the gas mask into electronic music with tracks like Activ-8 and Evapor-8. While Peat took his rave pension years ago, Archer is still very much in business. Support from Boco Flynn and Pierce Rooney.
Kilkenny Roots Festival
Various venues/times/prices
kilkennyroots.com
This durable roots/Americana festival is 20 next year, yet longevity has dulled neither its pulling power nor its sensibilities. Across three days in one of Ireland's prettiest cities, small theatres and tiny pubs will host quality acts such as Richmond Fontaine, Weather Station, David Corley, Ryley Walker, Hayes Carll, and Teddy Thompson.
Féile Chois Cuain
Various venues/times/prices Louisburgh, Co Mayo
feilechoiscuain.com
This annual gathering brings the boutique festival concept to a whole new level of intimacy. Along with workshops, masterclasses and sessions, there will be a celebration on Sunday of the makers of new music, song and dance, including Richie Dwyer, John Dwyer, Tim Dennehy and Marcus Hernon.
No One Is Illegal
Fred Zeppelins, Cork 9pm €5
A night of electro, drum'n'bass and techno at the HardCork Outernacional Sound Collective's latest venture. DJ sets from Al-Jive Mestizo and Arbraz, with guest appearances from PROCSS Recordings duo Sub_Routine (performing a live set) and Hoodvision. The fivers taken at the door will go to fund Cork 2 Calais Refugee Solidarity.
Bray Jazz Festival
Various venues/times/prices
brayjazz.com
This small but feisty festival punches so far above its weight, there ought to be a stewards' inquiry. Now in its 17th year, Bray Jazz Festival continues to serve up a well-considered and credible programme of international and local musicians that is a credit to organisers George and Dorothy Jacob. Headliners Magnus Öström, Kenny Werner and Dobet Gnahoré at the Mermaid are all worth the effort, and there is plenty more to attract, including Swiss trio Vein with influential US saxophonist Greg Osby and a new 1916-themed suite from Dún Laoghaire composer Ronan Guilfoyle. Other "jazz" festivals should note.
Saturday
Slow Moving Clouds
Triskel Christchurch 8.30pm €15/€12
triskelartscentre.ie
It's been suggested that echoes of The Gloaming and Sigur Ros permeate their sound, but this trio of Danny Diamond on fiddle, Kevin Murphy on cello and Aki on nikelharpa and vocals cut a swathe through terrain where few have ventured. Os, their atmospheric debut was on the receiving end of many laurels, and it's likely that live, this trio will take their music even further into the shadier and more intriguing recesses of life.
The R&B Club
Sugar Club, Dublin, 11pm, €16
thesugarclub.com
A night of 1990s R&B, hip hop, neo-soul & g-funk featuring an Irish soul and R&B supergroup who will play two sets on the night, the first featuring hits from the likes of TLC, Aaliyah, SWV, Boys II Men, Brandy, Monica, Warren G, Fugees, En Vogue and more; followed later by a tribute to the great D'Angelo, featuring classic cuts from his albums Voodoo, Brown Sugar and Black Massiah. Meanwhile, outside on the terrace the The R&B Club DJs will be spinning the tunes till late while you tuck into some barebecued soul food.
Shonen Knife
Whelan's Dublin 8pm €16.50
whelanslive.com
Self-described as "ooh-ooh- ultra-eccentric-super-cult- punk-pop-band-shonen- knife", this groundbreaking Japanese all-female band (the name translates literally as "Boy Knife") celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. The sole original member Naoko Yamano flies the over-50s flag, and she kicks butt as much now as she did back in Osaka in the early 1980s. Repeat after me: "Ooh-ooh-ultra-eccentric- super-cult-punk-pop-band- shonen- knife!"
Sunday
Pauline Scanlon
The Dingle Brewing Company 6.30pm €15
feilenabealtaine.ie
Amid Féile na Bealtaine's vibrant programme this year is local singer Pauline Scanlon's solo concert, to celebrate the release of her new CD, Gossamer. One half of Lumiere, Scanlon's vocals are some of the few that truly deserve the overused description of ethereal. Check out the unlikely venue too: an imbiber's delight.
Prins Thomas
Pgymalion Dublin 8pm €10
soundcloud.com/prinsthomas
When it comes to primetime boogie music for space cadets and astronauts, Thomas Moen Hermansen, aka Prins Thomas, is the man. A prolific figure on release schedules over the past few years, often in cahoots with Hans-Peter Lindstrom, Thomas' wobbly cosmic disco wig-outs are full of elegant, rich and detailed jams. Earlier this year, he truned his hand to more slo-mo ambient sounds on the Principe del Norte album for Smalltown Supersound. Support from Colin Perkins, Niall Redmond and Cesar.
Beat BBQ
Aether & Ether Belfast 6pm Adm free/£12 and £10 after 11pm
beatbbq.com
Beat BBQ first debuted in Belfast as a 30th-birthday bash in the Windsor Tennis Club before becoming a transient and popular club around the city. It marks five years on the go this weekend with a visit from a pair of Detroit's finest, namely Knights of the Jaguar kingpin DJ Rolando and Sushitech shapeshifter Delano Smith. Support from Jonny Boy, The Night Institute, Bobby Analog, Nik Muzka, Chris Nez and Dave Southwell. Expect a lot of devilment out front.
Grant Lee-Phillips
Whelan's Dublin 8pm €25
whelanslive.com
An original member/founder of much lauded US cult act Grant Lee Buffalo, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Grant-Lee Phillips has been a solo act for more than 15 years. These shows see Phillips (above) showcase his latest album, The Narrows, which focuses on his Native Indian heritage, as well as his status as both joyous father and reflective son.
Ovid's Metamorphoses
Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, Co Louth 5pm Also Sat €12-14
droghedaartsfestival.ie
In one of the highlights of this year's Drogheda Arts Festival, actors Derbhle Crotty and Aaron Monaghan will perform in a rehearsed reading of Ovid's Metamorphoses, in a version selected and directed by Mark O'Rowe. Hear one of the most influential works in western culture in the hands of three of our finest theatrical talents.
