FIRST PLAY // PLAYLIST

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SAN HOLO FEAT JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW – THE FUTURE

DUA LIPA – NEW RULES

COLDPLAY – ALIENS

2-20 – CREATED

NEIKED – CALL ME

ONE REPUBLIC – TRUTH TO POWER

IMAGINE DRAGONS – THUNDER

DUKE DUMONT – REAL LIFE (FEAT GORGON CITY)

CITIES – GIVE IT UP (MARK MCCABE REMIX)

WYVERN LINGO – I LOVE YOU SADIE

THE ACADEMIC – BEAR CLAWS

PICTURE THIS – LETS BE YOUNG (LIVE)

HARE SQUEAD – FLOWERS

THE CHAINSMOKERS – HONEST

GEORGE EZRA – DON’T MATTER NOW

DJ KAHLED – WILD THOUGHTS

SIGALA – CAME HERE FOR LOVE (FEAT ELLA EYRE)

FAR HAVEN – WHERE THE HEART IS

GAWLEY BROTHERS – LIVED IT ALL

X AMBASSADORS – TORCHES

STATE LIGHTS – I NEED TIME

ALL TVVINS FEAT JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW – ALONE TOGETHER

LITTLE HOURS – HOW COULD I LOVE YOU

ARCADE FIRE – EVERYTHING NOW

SUB FOCUS – DON’T YOU FEEL IT FEAT. ALMA

WILD YOUTH – ALL OR NOTHING

MACKLEMORE – GLORIOUS (FEAT. SKYLER GREY)

SIGRID – PLOT TWIST

OFFIAH – RUN

OH WONDER – HIGH ON HUMANS

MURA MASA FEAT DESIGNER – ALL AROUND THE WORLD

LANY – THE BREAKUP

LORDE – PERFECT PLACES

LANA DEL REY – COACHELLA – WOODSTOCK IN MY MIND

KATO & SIGALA – SHOW YOU LOVE

STOLEN CITY – FACES

ROYAL BLOOD – I ONLY LIE WHEN I LOVE YOU

IMAGINE DRAGONS – WHATEVER IT TAKES

CLEAN CUT KID – FELT

KASABIAN – BLESS THIS ACID HOUSE

MURA MASA – SECOND 2 NONE

SIIGHTS – LIGHTS OUT

GRIZZLY BEAR – MOURNING SOUND

BILLIE EILISH – COPYCAT

PADRAIG JACK – CAN’T FIND MY WAY HOME

STEPHANIE RAINEY – NOTHING OF YOU LEFT TO LOVE

TIM CHADWICK – NEVER WANTED YOU

BRASS PHANTOMS – CITY OF WOLVES

BONZAI – I FEEL ALRIGHT

FANGCLUB – BETTER TO FORGET

RAG N’ BONE MAN – AS YOU ARE

FOX VICIOUS – WORLDS APART

THE HORRORS – MACHINE

REWS – MISS YOU IN THE DARK

ST. VINCENT – NEW YORK

LAOISE – HALFWAY

THE LUMINEERS – ANGELA (BERUSE REMIX)

THE STRYPES – (I NEED A BREAK FROM) HOLIDAYS

HAIM – LITTLE OF YOUR LOVE

THE KOOKS – BROKEN VIEW

MR. JUKES – GRANT GREEN

 

 

INTRODUCING // SIGHTS

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Mia from Dublin and Toni from Glasgow are SIIGHTS! Both being accomplished musicians and songwriters respectively; they met by chance in summer 2016 in a house studio hidden away in LA writing tracks for other artists. The girls worked so great together that SIIGHTS was born. 
SIIGHTS have just released a new single “Nobody Like U”. 
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These ladies are definitely “Ones to Watch for 2017”. Their fresh music sound will be setting your summer alight with the single “Nobody Like U” which showcases the girls’ exceptional talents, the perfect summer 2017 anthem! Turn the volume up and get ready to follow these girls to the top…
We’ll be looking forward to having them in for a live studio session soon! 

INTRODUCING // WILD YOUTH

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Wild youth popped into us at iRadio over the weekend to play a live studio session. They’re absolutely outstanding live!

Wild Youth Are; David Whelan (vocals/guitar) Conor O’Donohoe(keyboard/vocals) Ed Porter (guitar/vocals) and  Callum McAdam (drums).

The band first came together in early 2016, after honing their craft in other bands over the years. Their natural symmetry and shared influences brought them together and Wild Youth was born.

All Or Nothing’ is their debut single.

In addition to the release of their debut single, the band will take to the stage at multiple festivals this summer, but not before supporting Picture This on the first night of their sold out nationwide tour.

They’ll be playing Longitude this coming Friday July 14th, Marlay Park, Dublin.

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Introducing // 2-20

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As you well know, I get sent ALOT of new music weekly, it takes me a little while to get through everything.

This morning while listening to potential tracks for this weekend’s First Play I stumbled across this guy! I’m always excited to hear something out of the ordinary coming out of the music scene in Ireland.

Seriously, this dude has got talent!

Here’s a little bit about 2-20:

He’s a 19-year-old Hip-hop artist from Sligo. He began making music at a young age taking inspiration from acts like 50 cent , Mac Miller and the Beatles.

His style can be hard to categorise to just one genre as he prides himself on being versatile with his creativity. Lyricism, flow and deep content are all things you will find if you submerse yourself in his music.

He his currently unsigned and fully independent. The song below is his latest single “Created” which is available on all major music platforms. It is a mixture of house and HipHop.

Introducing FarHaven

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I had the absolute pleasure of hosting Hootananny at The Barrelstore in Carrick on Shannon Friday night (June 16th). It was a fantastic night showcasing some of the most incredible live bands from around the country. Totally in my element!

First to take to the stage on the night were Tipperary band FarHaven, amazingly talented guys with incredible harmonies. I was super impressed and they’ll be instantly added to the First Play playlist. They’ve recently returned to Ireland and have many residencies around the country. Give them a follow on social media to find out where you can catch them. No doubt this track will be #OnRepeat

D-Day studio session

When it comes to Irish music I absolutely love seeking out the freshest new bands. I was delighted to invite D-Day into iRadio to play some brand new tunes. An incredibly  hard working bunch of lads from the West of Ireland, they’ll no doubt be playing loads of festival over the coming months. You should definitely get your ass to see them at some stage.

Actually….. They’re playing this coming Friday in The Loft Venue, Seven in Galway.

 

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If you’re Dublin bound, they’ll be playing Whelan’s  as well! Yippee!

 

 

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If you missed their studio session, you can listen back below!

 

Best of luck to the guys, it was a pleasure having them in and as always I’ll be keeping you updated in their success.

If you’re in a band and interested in popping in for a studio session you can email me at louiseclarke@iradio.ie

 

Lou xXx

Adventures // Three European festivals you gotta check out!

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I bang on about festivals 24/7 on the radio so this year I’m going to put my money where my mouth is and check out as many as I can during the summer months. I’m lucky enough through work that I have the opportunity to check out some pretty awesome Irish festivals, so this year I’m planning on going to at least one European Festival. 

 

1.

Pukkelpop 

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My Experience:

I’ve been to Pukkelpop three times, a good few years ago. Pukkelpop was my first experience of a European festival and oh my god I loved it. The weather, the people, the fact that food and drink are super cheap and the lineup is always amazing. This festival is so well run it’s four days of absolute bliss! And did I mention tickets are E199 for FOUR DAYS! I know!

What:

Pukkelpop is a three-day festival organised by Leopoldsburg’s Humanistische Jongeren (“Young Humanists”) which began in 1985. Pukkelpop started life as a small, local music event before becoming an outdoor alternative festival. Pukkelpop has now become one of Europe’s greatest music events.

The festival is a complete experience and one which has been promoting community relationships for over 30 years.

Where: 

The Festival location is in a little town called Hasselt. The locals are awesome in this town, they set up beer gardens in their own gardens and even sell amazing home cooked food outside their homes.

Pukkelpop is about 70km from Brussels.

You can fly into Brussels Charleroi airport with Ryanair or Brussels main airport with Air Lingus

When:

It’s happening 2017 August 16, 17, 18, 19.

How much: 

Combi Ticket: E199 (This is a pass for the 4-day festival)

Day ticket: E99

Acts announced: 

If you like Mumford and Sons, London Grammar, Bakermat, George Ezra, Band of Horses, Bastille, Boys Noize, Chance The Rapper, Clean Bandit, Sigala and Walking on cars, you’re in for a treat!

 

2.

Sziget Festival

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My Experience: 

This is a huge contender, I’ve never been to this festival so I might just have to go and have a look!

What: 

Sziget Festival is seven days of a festival on a sunny island in the Danube in the beautiful city of Budapest. But Sziget is more than just a festival: it’s a place to meet, a place to make friends and fall in love; where one can spend a week self-abandoned, where parties await the inquirer. Seven days in paradise!

Sounds like bliss. Where do I sign up?

Where: 

 

Sziget Festival is on the well-known Obuda Island in Budapest.

When:

Sziget Festival 2017 will be from 10 to 17 August

How much: 

7-day pass – E299

5-day pass – E269

Day tickets E65

All of the ticket details are here: Tickets

2. 

Primavera sound 

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My Experience: 

Again, I’m a Primavera virgin and I, really really really wanna go!

What:

It’s a festival Primavera Sound, that has taken place in Barcelona since 2001, has consolidated itself as a model reference for urban festivals that is internationally considered as an unmissable musical event. Pixies, Arcade Fire, Queens of the Stone Age, The National, Nine Inch Nails, Kendrick Lamar, Neil Young, Sonic Youth, Portishead, Radiohead, Pet Shop Boys, Pavement, Echo & The Bunnymen, Lou Reed, My Bloody Valentine, Brian Wilson, Pulp, Patti Smith, James Blake, The National, Cat Power, Public Enemy, Grinderman, Franz Ferdinand, Television, Devo, Enrique Morente, The White Stripes, LCD Soundsystem, Tindersticks, PJ Harvey, Shellac, Dinosaur Jr., New Order, Fuck Buttons, Swans, Melvins, Psychic TV, Spiritualized, The Cure, Bon Iver, La Buena Vida, Death Cab For Cutie, Iggy & The Stooges, De La Soul, Marianne Faithfull, Mazzy Star, Blur, Wu-Tang Clan, Phoenix, The Jesus and Mary Chain o Tame Impala, are just a few of the many artists who have played on the stages of the festival to this day.

Where:

It takes place in Barcelona in Spain.

When:

This year it takes place from 31 May to 4 June

How much: 

Day tickets are E80 plus a booking fee.

Acts announced: 

Here’s a selection of the acts announced at Primavera sound this year:

The full line-up can be found below:

7 Notas 7 Colores · Abdullah Rashim · About Leaving · The Afghan Whigs · Against Me! · Agorazein · Alex Cameron · Alexandra Savior · Alien Tango · Âme live · Angel Olsen · Anímic · Annette Peacock · Aphex Twin · Arcade Fire · Aries · Aurora Halal · Autarkic · Avalon Emerson · BADBADNOTGOOD · Barbott · Belako · Ben UFO · Berri Txarrak · Bicep · The Black Angels · Bon Iver · Broken Social Scene · Cigarettes After Sex · CLUBZ · Dj Coco · Conttra · Converge · Cymbal Eat Guitars · The Damned · Dave P. · Death Grips · Descendents · Discos Paradiso Crew · Dixon · Don’t DJ · Dj Dustin · El Petit de Cal Eril · Elmini · Elza Soares · Fatima Yamaha · Ferenc · Flying Lotus · Formation · Frank Ocean · Front 242 · Gas · Glass Animals · Kevin Morby · Khidja · King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard · King Krule · King Sunny Adé · KiNK · Kokoshca · Kornél Kovács · Lady Wray · Lauer · Les Cruet · Les Sueques · Let’s Eat Grandma · Local Natives · Lord Of The Isles · Lvl Up · Mac DeMarco · The Magnetic Fields · The Make-Up · Mannequin Pussy · Màquina Total · Maresme · Marie Davidson · Marta Delmont · Matrixxman · Medalla · Melange · Metronomy Museless · The Mystery Lights · Nikki Lane · No Zu · Noga Erez · Nots · Odina · Operators · PAVVLA · Pearson Sound · Pedro Vian · Pender Street Steppers · Phurpa · Pinegrove · Playback Maracas · Polar Inertia · Pond · Preoccupations · Priests · Rebuig · Recondite · Retirada!  Talaboman · Teenage Fanclub · Dj Tennis · This Is Not This Heat · Triángulo de Amor Bizarro · Tuff City Kids · Tycho · Vaadat Charigim · Van Morrison · Vladimir Ivkovic · Vox Low · Wand · The Waterparties · The Wave Pictures · The Wedding Present · Weval · Weyes Blood · The Wheels · Whitney · Wild Beasts · William Tyler · The xx · Plus many many more. 

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So there it is, the three European festivals I’m dying to check out this year. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be going full steam ahead on everything festival related. Bring on Summer! Can’t wait.

Louise xXx

 

New Music // Three new tracks I’m super excited about!

I’ve found myself listening to heaps and heaps of festival bands and artists the last few weeks. Is it slightly early to be planning?  Nah, it’s just around the corner. Here are three of my favourite new tracks just released! Here’s hoping some of these guys will be performing at a festival near you soon.

1. 

Lorde – Green Light.

I’m a massive fan of this lady, so I instantly knew I’d love this when I heard it. She sounds like she’s grown up a little in this brand new track. New music might mean a new album and who knows; a tour to boot.

2.

Calvin Harris feat Frank Ocean – Slide.

There’s not a lot I can say about this track, it’s just so damn good! A match made in heaven. I really hope these two continue to collaborate together.

3.

Monsieur Adi – Stay Up Late ft. RED

Oooh this is right up my street. I remember playing Monsieur Adi tracks years ago and had thought he had kind of slipped under the radar for a bit. One of my all time favourite tracks is Monsieur Adi – What’s going on. Summer is definitely on its way.