PICK OF THE WEEK
The Improvised Music Company’s annual jazz-for-the- people show – the first under new artistic director Kenneth Killeen – is proof that the old preconceptions about the J-word are every bit as wrong-headed as the original 1930s rants against the devils music that give the festival its archly sarcastic title.
This year’s broad church, gathered under the spectacular (and sensibly weather-proof) umbrellas on Meeting House square in Dublin’s Temple Bar, includes everything from classic be-bop to pounding hip-hop, west African grooves to Zappa-esque funk, synth-prog-rock to Hendrix free jazz.
One of the highlights of this year’s festival will be a rare Irish concert appearance from bona-fide guitar legend Louis Stewart and his quintet on Saturday night.
Also on Saturday’s bill are Isotope, Dublin’s longest- running jam band led by saxophonist Richie Buckley; Jiggy, a new fusion of Irish trad and vocal beat boxing from percussionist Robbie Harris; Tongue Bundle, a Frank Zappa-inspired six piece; and Mixtapes from the Underground, who bring the night to a close with their energetic collision of jazz and hip-hop.
Sunday’s congregation is led from the front by virtuosic Tipperary guitarist Joe O’Callaghan and his Electric Freeplay; Ivory Coast percussionist Sidiki Dembele heads up a multinational world music sextet; piano trio The CEO Experiment add saxophonist Michael Buckley to their genre-hopping mix; Leo Drezden serve up a synth-fest of prog rock and electro-pop; and there’s a storming finish in prospect from the 17-piece Dublin City Jazz Orchestra.
Up with this sort of thing.
RAAWWKK!
Foo Fighters
Slane Castle, Co Meath 1pm €79.50
ticketmaster.ie
Following a year’s break (and a serious health scare for Lord Henry Mountcharles), the gig at Slane Castle returns. While Foo Fighters wouldn’t strike this writer as an act popular enough to fill that venue, there’s a strong enough Irish support bill – Hozier, Ash, The Strypes – and the so-what inclusion of Kaiser Chiefs to pick up the slack.
FESTIVAL
AVA
T13 Warehouse, Belfast 11am £25
avafestival.com
AVA is a new arrival on the scene for 2015, a free conference by day and music festival by night to mark the strong wave of new electronic music and digital art talent in Northern Ireland. The conference talks and workshops will run from 11am to 4pm, before attention focuses on performances by and appearances from Bicep, Boiler Room, Ejeca, Optimo, SDC, Extended Play, Phil Kieran and others.
