Irish Music

"'Wouldn’t it have been pretty much the same if you saw O’Riordan play “Linger” at one of her solo concerts?' No, it wouldn't have been the same...."

Rhi

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Remember the ’90s? Cranberries Reunion Tour

Published August 30th, 2009 by Karen

photo credit: cristianek

Everybody Else is Having a Cheesy Reunion Tour, So Why Can’t They?

In the early ’90s, Irish music stars the Cranberries were one of the biggest alt-pop bands around.

Thanks largely to the unique vocals of Dolores O’Riordan, the band scored a ton of hits, including “Linger” and “Dreams” (from the band’s 1993 debut, Everybody Else is Doing it, So Why Can’t We?), and later “Zombie,” “Salvation,” and “Ridiculous Thoughts,” among others.

O’Riordan’s dedicated fan(s) may be disappointed to learn that she canceled her world tour just as her second solo album, No Baggage, is set to hit shelves.

Of course, those fans will probably be happy to learn that she canceled her tour because she’s decided to reunite the Cranberries and hit the road.

We’re not sure this matters much, really. I mean, can you even name another member of this band? Wouldn’t it have been pretty much the same if you saw O’Riordan play “Linger” at one of her solo concerts?

Then again, we’re pretty sure we never want to hear the shrieky Irish shrieks of “Zombie” ever again, anyway, so the tickets are all yours. Enjoy.

BELOW: The Office making the case for “Zombie” being one of the least karaoke-friendly songs ever. Thanks, TV.

More Reunion News:
NEW CD: New Alice in Chains CD, New Singer: Elton John?
TV: Jackson Family Reunion Reality Show May Air on A&E
TOUR: Mummies Reunion Tour 2009: Shows in NY, NJ, France and Italy
TOUR: Best Reunion Tour Ever: 2009 Gories, Oblivians Tour Dates Posted!

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U2 Opens World Tour in Barcelona

Published July 1st, 2009 by Wendy

ABOVE: U2 dedicated a performance of “Angel of Harlem” to Michael Jackson…we’re not entirely sure why.

More than 90,000 fans piled into Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium last night for the kick off of U2’s 360° Tour, the Irish rockers’ first trek in three years, according to a report on RollingStone.com.

According to the Web site, the concert took place on a massive stage, lovingly called the “Claw” by crew members, and boasted a giant 360 video screen, flowing silk screens and a light show that would have made Pink Floyd jealous.

“We have here a huge production, there’s no denying that. It’s likely the largest rock & roll touring stage production that’s ever been put together,” design architect Mark Fisher was quoted as saying.

U2, one of the world’s most successful acts, opened the show with “Breathe” from their acclaimed new album “No Line on the Horizon,” and went on to play a mix of new and classic songs, including “Angel of Harlem,” which they dedicated to Michael Jackson.

The quartet’s 360° Tour will visit 31 cities across Europe and North America and entertain an estimated three million people.

"Phil Lynott rocks! Ever seen the vid of Thin Lizzy and Motorhead playing together? Crazy stuff! Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

Karen

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St. Patrick’s Day 2009 Concerts, Green Beer: Optional

Published March 16th, 2009 by Karen

photo credit: Sonnett

It’s that time of year again!

Cities around the world are preparing to celebrate everyone’s favorite Irish holiday: St. Patrick’s Day! (C’mon, could you even name another Irish holiday?)

While most people use the day as an excuse to over-indulge in corned beef, green beer and Guinness, we’d like to offer an alternative to parades and cloggers: Irish rock music.

From Irish folk-punks the Pogues to Boston’s popular Dropkick Murphys to Morrissey(?!), we’re running down the list of St. Patrick’s Day concerts for folks who know there’s more to Irish music than just U2. Continue reading »

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Hooray for Green Beer! Irish Drinking Songs, St. Patricks Day Music and More

Published March 14th, 2008 by Karen

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, so in honor of this holiday we’re helping you get your party started with some Irish Fun, including some toasts, fun facts and some of the best free Irish Music downloads around!

Check out some of our favorite drinking songs, Irish music and more.
Plus, be sure to tell us how you’ll be celebrating—leave a comment and let us know!

Favorite Irish Bands:

A recent article gave us 17 Irish Bands that are better than U2, here are a few of our favorites:

Luckily, you don’t have to pretend to like U2 or Sinead O’Connor just because it’s St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to free Celtic and Irish music downloads, there are plenty of other Irish bands to check out—including political rockers Black 47, rowdy pub brawlers the Pogues and mellower countrymen the Frames (leader Glen Hansard just won an Oscar for his work with Marketa Irglova in the movie musical, Once soundtrack downloads here).

Free Irish Music:
This is a great source of free Irish music downloads and free celtic music downloads, featuring many familiar traditional songs and more.
Highlights include:

Wild Irish Rose
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
An Irish Lullaby

Free Irish Drinking Songs and More:
Find lyrics to all your favorite pub songs here.

Irish toasts and sayings:
Now you’ve got the music, but what do you say when you raise your glass?
Find some traditional and funny Irish toasts and sayings here.

And, finally, something all the Leprechauns are dying to know:
Is Green Beer Safe?
While the green food coloring added to beer is harmless, the fact that the green stuff is usually added to low quality brew is nearly sacrilegious. On this holiday celebrating all things Irish, it’s best to drink a responsible amount of a quality beverage, like the traditional Guinness, rather than to gorge on green bargain beer (it might seem like a good idea, but you’ll pay for it Tuesday morning). Historically speaking, it might be wise to avoid British brews as well.
We’ve tried to make your St. Patrick’s Day a little easier with free music and fun, the rest is up to you!

Leave a comment and tell us how you’ll be celebrating this lucky day!

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St. Patrick’s Day Music: 17 Bands Better Than U2

Published March 7th, 2008 by Karen

It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, which means many people will be looking for some cool free Irish Music to play at parties and stuff. We’re here to help make your search a little easier–and to prove that Ireland has more to offer than just U2.

Having sold hundreds of millions of albums combined, Ireland’s most popular artists are:
U2
Enya
Van Morrison
The Cranberries
The Corrs

However, with the exception of Van Morrison, these bands all kinda suck. You might be able to make an argument defending U2, but only if you stopped buying their records like 10 years ago. We know, everybody loves Bono, but we want you to know there is more to Irish Music than that.

In honor of the impending arrival of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re offering up a list of 17 Irish bands that we’d rather listen to than U2. It doesn’t mean they’re the best, it just means, we like ‘em more than U2

So, pour yourself a nice, cold green mug o’something and enjoy the tunes!

17 Irish Bands Better Than U2

Soft Sounds:
The Frames
Damien Rice
Snow Patrol—”Hands Open”
If mellow music is your thing, you might enjoy The Frames, singer Glen Hansard just won an Oscar for his work on the Once Soundtrack.

Rowdy Rockers:
Pogues
Black 47
If you like your music with a little fiery flair, check out these two groups. The Pogues are known for their wild take on traditional fare while Black 47 are ex-pats spreading political tunes from NYC.

‘60s Classic:
Them—“It’s All Over Now Baby Blue”
Featuring a young Van Morrison on vocals, Them is a ’60s soul/rock group widely known for hits such as “Gloria.”

’70 Fun:
Thin Lizzy—“The Boys are Back in Town”
Stiff Little Fingers
Undertones
Boomtown Rats—“I Don’t Like Mondays”
Guitar rock? Punk? New Wave? These bands have it all covered.

‘90s Noise:
My Bloody Valentine—“Only Shallow”
Therapy?
Ash

Belfast’s Therapy? offers dark, catchy punk fun on classic tracks like “Screamager,” while the recently reunited My Bloody Valentine blazes a trail of noisey guitar experimentation and dreamy shoegaze jamming.

Traditional Favorites:
Hothouse Flowers
The Chieftains
The Chieftains stick to performing traditional Irish tunes, while the Hothouse Flowers mix traditional Irish influences with contemporary soul, rock and pop.

And finally…
Enya
Sinead O’Connor–”Nothing Compares 2 U”
–Just kidding. We hate U2, but we have limits.

If none of these bands are your cup of tea, then check out more at this cool Irish Rock site.

Know some great Irish bands we should check out? Leave a comment and tell us what’s on your list!

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St. Patricks Day History, Fun Facts and Free Irish Music

Published March 3rd, 2008 by Karen

Is green beer safe? 7 Things you MUST know for St. Patrick’s Day 2008

It’s often said that everyone is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

The parades and parties are fun, but what is the point of this popular Irish holiday? Do we have to listen to U2? And, most of all, how safe is green beer?

Find out with a few things you probably didn’t know about St. Patrick’s Day…

7 St. Patrick’s Day 2008 Facts

1. Irish Music=U2?
No, you don’t have to pretend to like U2 or Sinead O’Connor just because it’s St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to free Celtic and Irish music downloads, there are plenty of other Irish bands to check out—including political rockers Black 47, rowdy pub brawlers the Pogues and mellower countrymen the Frames (leader Glen Hansard just won an Oscar for his work with Marketa Irglova in the movie musical, Once (soundtrack downloads here)).

2. Is Green Beer Safe?
While the green food coloring added to beer is harmless, the fact that the green stuff is usually added to low quality brew is nearly sacrilegious. On this holiday celebrating all things Irish, it’s best to drink a responsible amount of a quality beverage, like the traditional Guinness, rather than to gorge on green bargain beer (it might seem like a good idea, but you’ll pay for it Tuesday morning). Historically speaking, it might be wise to avoid British brews as well.

3. Where’s the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade?
St. Patrick’s Day comes from Ireland, but the largest parade for the day is held in New York City, features over 150,000 participants and is viewed by over 2 million spectators. The first official one in NYC was held in 1766, making in the second-longest running in the country, second to Boston, where the parade debuted in 1737. Of course, the folks of Dublin, Ireland likely have rights the title of best parade, even if it isn’t the biggest.

4. Where are the Shamrock Shakes?
While it really has nothing to do with Ireland or St. Patrick, Shamrock Shakes became a St. Patrick’s Day tradition for McDonald’s fans in 1980s. The fast-food chain made the lightly mint flavored shake available from February to March in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day. However, in recent years the novelty shakes have become increasingly hard to come by, inspiring fans to launch websites such as this in an attempt to bring back the treat, or finding out where it’s offered.

5. Do You Have to Wear Green?
Many revelers choose to wear green on this day as a tribute to the Emerald Isle, but it’s perfectly acceptable to wear any of the colors represented in the Irish flag—green, white and orange.

6. Who was St. Patrick?
Sources ranging from Wikipedia to the History Channel are quick to point out that details surrounding St. Patrick’s life are sketchy, and much of his story has been obscured (or enhanced) by legends. In short, he was a missionary in the 5th Century, and is recognized as the patron saint of Ireland (along with Brigid of Kildare).

St. Patrick is often attributed with driving the snakes from Ireland, however, since Ireland was never home to snakes, it’s likely that “snakes” is a metaphor for some non-Christian religions that are sometimes represented by a snake or serpent image.

It is sometimes stated that St. Patrick was the first to use a shamrock (three-leaf clover) in order to teach the idea of the Holy Trinity to his followers. It is also believed that he invented the icon of the Celtic Cross, an image of a cross with a sun incorporated into the design.

While not everything about St. Patrick is known for certain, it’s a pretty safe bet that he has nothing to do with putting green dye in beer or wearing big green Dr. Suess hats.

7. When is St. Patrick’s Day 2008?
St. Patrick’s Day typically falls on March 17—the date St. Patrick is thought to have died circa 460 A.D. Sometimes the date is moved if it is in conflict with other religious celebrations such as Palm Sunday. This year, St. Patrick’s Day is Monday March 17, 2008.

Check back soon for more fun facts and free music.
Leave a comment and let us know how you’ll celebrate St. Pat’s this year
and what music you’ll be listening to!