Feb
26
Gigs of the weekend - God Is An Astronaut, Mick Flannery, Machine Head
Friday: God Is An Astronaut - The Academy, Dublin
With four albums to their credit and a fifth – Age of the Fifth Sun – due for release in March, it's difficult to comprehend just why God Is an Astronaut (pictured) are still considered an underground band here in Ireland. After all, the Wicklow natives enjoy considerable success abroad and are regular fixtures on the European festival circuit. Indeed, at this point they could be considered members of the post-rock hierarchy. The trio specialise in conjuring up emotive, spatial soundscapes which, at their live shows are backed-up by hugely impressive visual display, comprising of film sequences and lighting effects.
February Dublin appearances have become something of a tradition for the group in recent years and, while their exploits often go unreported in the media, they have no shortage of fans who'll always turn out in force to see them. And when you witness God Is an Astronaut on stage you'll see why; it's an audio-visual show that will leave you having to pick your jaw up from the floor.
Saturday: Mick Flannery – The Pavilion, Cork (27.02.10)
The first thing you notice about Mick Flannery's music are his lyrics. They're disarmingly personal and delivered with a rare sense of conviction and truthfulness. It's a trait that has earned the Cork native kudos from the highest of sources, with his work winning him the International Songwriting Competition, judged by none other than Tom Waits. Indeed, it was figures like Waits and Bob Dylan who influenced Flannery to first start writing his own songs.
Flannery currently has two albums to his name; Evening Train and the platinum-selling White Lies, and has another in the works. With his profile on the rise, he's increasingly invited to perform at larger venues and festivals but there's nothing like witnessing him on stage in more modest surroundings if you want to feel the full force of his songs. Tonight's show at the Pavilion should provide the perfect opportunity.
Sunday: Machine Head – The Olympia, Dublin (28.02.10)
Have Machine Head really been around for 17 years? If ever there was a fact to make you feel your age, that's it right there. The Californian groove-metal outfit have had a chequered career, producing genuine metal masterpieces with albums like Burn My Eyes and The More Things Change before they very nearly destroyed their hard-built reputation with the underwhelming Supercharger. Thankfully, they've picked up their game since then and more recent efforts have seen them return to their roots in old school thrash. Their fans have appreciated this turn of events and their last album, 2007's The Blackening, has been their most successful to date.
Like all good metal bands, Machine Head excel at putting on a good, old-fashioned rock show with blood and lots and lots of sweat. And with an arsenal of songs that hit you ferociously in the chest, a Machine Head show is not something you'll soon forget.
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