15 gigs to see in April

As is always the case in this vibrant, music-mad city of ours, there are loads of great gigs happening this month. As ever, a full list can be found here and we’ve selected some of our top picks for April below. Of course this is just our opinion, if you reckon there are any glaring omissions then do let us know in the comments section below.

Hail The Ghost, Whelan’s, 2nd April

With high praise and comparisons to The National ringing in their ears, Hail The Ghost will make their long awaited live debut in Whelan’s on Thursday 2nd April. They may sound sweet and tender but they’re not to be messed with – their lead singer did take down Frano after all.

Support from Middle Kid. Tickets €10

Otherkin, The Grand Social, 2nd April

Having recently graced the pages of NME and being playlisted on most of the major radio stations, Otherkin’s star is showing now sign of descending any time soon. They will be releasing their superb new single ‘AY AY’ with this headline show in The Grand Social. It’s sure to be loud, raucous and loads of fun.

Support from No Monster Club. Tickets €10.

Tucan, The Button Factory, 4th April

Celebrating the release of their new album ‘Towers’, Sligo’s Tucan will bring their instrumental expertise to The Button Factory. The band’s sound has really evolved on this album. They’ve always been a superb live band and with their ranks swelled to an eight-piece now, this is sure to be a spectacular show.

They’ve a great line-up of special guests joining them on the night too including The Young Folk, Mongoose, This Side Up and Claudia Schwab. Tickets €12.

King Kong Company, The Button Factory, 4th April

After Tucan are done doing their thing, there’s more instrumental goodness in the form of the mighty King Kong Company, who will hit the Button Factory stage at 11pm. These guys are great fun live and their show packed full of brass, manic dancers and other assorted craziness is not to be missed.

Tickets €12

Paul Simon & Sting, 3 Arena, 7th April

Paul Simon and Sting aren’t two artists that you would immediately put together but this should be an intriguing show. If setlists from earlier shows of their tour are anything to go by, punters can expect duets on some of both artist’s well known songs along with solo spots that include each artist covering the other’s songs. Surely Sting will play the bass solo in ‘You Can Call Me Al’.

Tickets €74.55 – €155

The Mighty Stef, Whelan’s, 10th April

Long acclaimed as one of Ireland’s great underground songwriters, Stefan Murphy and his cohorts in The Mighty Stef will be hitting the Whelan’s stage on 10th April. The band will be celebrating the release of their new album ‘Year of the Horse’ which is out the same day and if ‘Stella’ is anything to go by, the album is sure to be a cracker.

Support from Fiction Peaks and Knoxville Morning. Tickets €13.50.

I Draw Slow & The Lost Brothers, Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, 10th April

This is a great value two for one with two of Ireland’s hottest up and coming acts taking to the stage in Dun Laoghaire on Fridaty 10th April. I Draw Slow have drawn praise from far and wide for their gorgeous mix of contemporary and folk influences while The Lost Brothers have recently finished a US tour with Glen Hansard and have received a lot of attention from DJ’s in the UK.

Tickets €16 – €18

Maud in Cahoots, The Odessa, 15th April

Maud in Cahoots will bring their brand of quirky, thoughtful pop to the Odessa stage on 15th April as part of the Culture Vultures evening. Fronted by sisters Maud and Zoe Ní Riordáin, Maud in Cahoots are one of the most interesting Irish acts around at the moment and their live show is highly regarded.

The night also includes comedian John Colleary and a public interview with Antonia Campbell-Hughes. Tickets €10.

Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Whelan’s, 17th April

Having been with The Frames since their inception way back in the early 90’s, Colm Mac Con Iomaire is pretty much Irish music Royalty at this stage. He’s back on the solo trail again with the release of his second album ‘And Now The Weather (Agus Anois An Aimsir)’. The album is the follow up to 2008’s beautiful ‘The Hare’s Corner’ and is sure to feature more lush, panoramic instrumentation from the master of the violin that is Mr. Mac Con Iomaire.

Tickets €16.50.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Vicar Street, 18th April

Canadian post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor returned after a ten year hiatus in 2012 with the brilliant ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!’ and there was much rejoicing. They’ve just released another new album, ‘Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress’ has just been released and many tracks from this excellent new record are sure to get an outing at what will no doubt be a packed Vicar Street.

Tickets €27.

Airborne Toxic Event, The Academy, 19th April

With new album ‘Dope Machines’ released back in February, Airborne Toxic Event return to Dublin. The band say that the new album is a departure for them and marks a new phase in the band’s progression but as long as they play the awesome ‘Sometime Around Midnight’ we’ll be happy.

Jinx Lennon, Leeson Lounge, 23rd April

Anarchic punk poet Jinx Lennon will bring his cutting social commentary to the Leeson Lounge at the end of April for what is sure to be an incendiary show. There really is no one quite like Jinx Lennon around at the moment and this live show is guaranteed to be one not to miss.

Support comes from Pete Johnson and admission is free.

Le Galaxie, The Academy, 24th & 25th April

The awesome Le Galaxie will bring Le Club to The Academy for two nights. ‘Le Club’ of course is also the title of their new album and tracks from that album will feature heavily on both nights. Having caught Le Galaxie on several occasions we can assure you that theirs is a live show to behold.

Support comes from Lethal Dialect and Buffalo Woman on 24th April and RSAG and Hare Squead on 25th April. Tickets €19.

Will Butler, Whelan’s, 25th April

Not content with being in one of the biggest and best bands on the plant, Will Butler is now striking out on his own. He’s just released his debut solo album ‘Policy’ and it shows a different side to this prodigiously talented multi-instrumentalist. Whelan’s is certain to be packed to the rafters for this one.

Little xs for Eyes, Whelan’s, 29th April

By the time they hit the Whelan’s stage at the end of the month, Little xs for Eyes will have released their second album ‘Everywhere Else’. It promises to be packed full of the gorgeous harmonies, playful synth and jangly guitar that we’ve come to expect from this super band.

Tickets €10.