Dropkick Murphys

You might not be going to the pub for a Guinness this year (thanks, Coronavirus!) but that doesn't mean you can't get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day from the comfort of your own home by getting a keg in, wearing a silly hat and, of course, playing a few classic Irish tunes.

Photo Credit: Matheus Ferrero/Unsplash

1. Whiskey In The Jar - Thin Lizzy

Continue reading: Happy St. Patrick's Day: Inspiring Covers Of Irish Folk Songs [Playlist]

We are looking at a music industry in crisis as the fear surrounding the coronavirus hits the live circuit and beyond. Releases are being put back, gigs postponed, major events cancelled and a new trend of live show streaming has begun as more and more of us make the choice to self-isolate.

New York City 2020 / Photo Credit: Vanessa Carvalho/Zuma Press/PA Images

Musicians are not only cancelling their tours this year, they're also taking steps to self-quarantine as the virus continues to spread. Charli XCX has expressed her frustration over the isolation, while Blink 182's Mark Hoppus has revealed that his family's "no-one in, no-one out" policy has already incited cabin fever on the first day. 

Continue reading: Weekly Coronavirus Updates: How Has The Virus Outbreak Affected Music This Week?

This year’s Skate and Surf Festival will be the third since its revival in 2013. With performances from the likes of Fall Out Boy, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and A Day To Remember, the past two years have proven why Skate and Surf should be a staple to kick-off your summer, and it's looking like 2015 has a line-up that shouldn’t be missed out on either.

The Asbury Park, New Jersey-based fest will be taking place on May 16 and May 17, and it’s chock full of some of the hottest name in the genre, and even a couple reunions of bands that the genre has desperately been missing. 2014 saw the reunions of legendary pop-punk band Midtown (Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship) and alt-rockers Saosin, featuring the addition of ex-member and current vocalist of Circa Survive, Anthony Green. It’s only fitting that Skate and Surf one-ups their reunions now, but let’s take it day-by-day and give the lowdown on the headliners and notable bands for the packed weekend.

Continue reading: Skate And Surf Festival 2015 Splashes Down In NJ Next Month

SunFest is back in Florida once again with another impressively diverse line-up and non-stop activity for five days. This year, the bill is headlined by Kid Rock, Ellie Goulding and Robin Thicke.

Probably the best sun-soaked family vacation you could ask for at such great value, SunFest arrives at West Palm Beach today (April 30th 2014) with a line-up that truly has something for everyone - if you'd pardon the cliché. Like any decent festival, filling in the spaces between bands is everything from the BB&T Juried Fine Art & Craft show to the Floating Oasis barge parties, not to mention the much anticipated fireworks display on Sunday. Having hosted its first event in 1982, it's no wonder it has remained such a family favourite, attracting over 165,000 revellers each year.

Continue reading: Ellie Goulding, Goo Goo Dolls And Pretty Lights Are Among The Acts To Look Forward To At Florida's SunFest 2014

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the suspected Boston Marathon bomber, features on the latest cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The decision has been heavily criticised, with many commentators suggesting it depicts Tsarnev has a rock 'n roll outlaw, rather than a terrorist suspected of killing four people and seriously wounding hundreds of others.

Now, Sgt Sean Murphy, a tactical photographer who worked with the Massachusetts State Police on the manhunt for Tsarnaev has released previously unseen photographs of the mission to convey his fury at the music magazine.

Continue reading: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's 'Rolling Stone' Cover Prompts Unseen Photographs

The movie might be looking like a shoo-in for several Oscars nods, but what will music fans think of Les Miserables’ soundtrack? It’s been the subject of debate, thus far, with the former American Idol star Adam Lambert slamming the actors for not being able to sing as well as you would expect for a Hollywood adaptation of one of the world’s most famous musicals.

According to the Popdust.com blog, the soundtrack is looking as though it could become the first soundtrack to top the charts since last year’s Hunger Games. Add to that the fact that Anne Hathaway’s version of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ is currently sailing up the charts in its own right, it looks as though the music-buying public either isn’t as discerning as Lambert, or simply disagrees with him. 

Watch the trailer for Les Miserables

Continue reading: Out Now: US Album Releases - Les Miserables OST Destined For Chart Success, Christian Rocker Chris Tomlin Evolves With New Album, Can Dropkick Murphys Improve Chart Record?

“Who on earth releases an album in the first week of January?” we hear you cry, rocking with laughter that we are even attempting this round-up this week. Well, you have a point. There aren’t that many people releasing new albums of any note. There are a few notable releases though, just don’t expect them to be epic chart-botherers. They most likely won’t be.

First up, the soundtrack to Berbarian Sound Studios, 2012’s indie horror movie that is still gaining momentum through word-of-mouth support. Starring Toby Jones and Antonio Mancino, the film tells the story of Gilderoy (Jones), a 1970s British sound technician brought to Italy to work on the sound effects for an Italian horror movie. The experience is a testing one for Gilderoy, who finds the nightmare task taking over his own psyche.

The soundtrack is recorded by Broadcast; the perfect band for such a job, as their sound has always been very much rooted in nostalgia. This soundtrack marks the final release for the band, whose member Trish Keenan died of pneumonia in January 2011. They were working on the soundtrack when Keenan passed away. In a review by The Guardian, Alexis Petridis notes “It's a very Broadcast kind of film: set in the early 70s, depicting a Dorking sound engineer's descent into madness when he stops working on natural history documentaries and starts on an Italian giallo horror film, it's packed with shots of vintage electronic and recording equipment, obsessed with the evocative, sinister effects of sound.” The soundtrack was finished by Trish’s partner and fellow Broadcast member James Cargill; a fitting tribute to her life and work, though her vocals are – for the most part – sadly absent.

Continue reading: Out Now: UK Album Releases - Berberian Sound Studios OST Marks Final Broadcast Release, Dropkick Murphys' Unusual Tattoo Promotion, Black Veil Brides 'Patently Ridiculous'