Time for another report from Shannonside where’s there been some choice music releases in the last month, and a plethora of gigs to choose from in the coming weeks.

First in focus are yet another band to emerge from the local Music Generation programme, following in the footsteps of the wonderful PowPig, 50 Foot Woman are a youthful punk rock outfit who’s impressive debut release Fashion Statement has garnered airplay by Dan Hegarty and 8radio.com amongst others. The four piece also recently put on an excellent performance in the Record Room of The Commercial and have several live dates coming up, including Relapse Festival in Cork this weekend.

Photo credit – Caleb Purcell

A man who certainly has been very busy is MuRli, whether it was backing his Narolane Records label-mate Denise Chaila at her stunning headline show in the Olympia, or releasing ‘The Sky Has Windows’ his superb new EP. It’s a mesmerising collection of songs that sees him really stretching his production palette to excellent effect, with By Design the standout track.

Other local releases include Impending Doom another acerbic offering from Japanese Jesus, Holy Country is the latest taste from Sinead O’Brien’s upcoming debut album and it is probably her strongest track to date, and Emma Langford unveiled Winter Nights a magical collaboration with Alec Brown which was commissioned by the Source Arts Centre in Thurles.

Dates coming up in Dolans include the annual Music for Mental Health showcase on March 25th, with a bill that includes the aforementioned Emma Langford, The Stray Saints, and AfroPop City just to mention a few from what is a jam-packed line-up, all proceeds going to support a number of local mental health charities. On the same night in the Kasbah Social Club, shoegaze noise merchants Naked Lungs make their Limerick debut, with local stalwarts Fox Jaw making their long awaited return to live action the following night – definitely a show not to be missed.

The legendary Milk Market has hosted its fair share of notable acts in recent years, and the latest stellar talent to rock up to the venue will be the maestro himself James Vincent McMorrow who brings his Grapefruit Season tour to town on April 22nd for what is sure to be one of the early highlights of spring 2022.

Elsewhere in the city you can catch Under Starling from Waterford in the Record Room of The Commercial on March 24th with 50 Foot Woman & Static Vision supporting, whilst on the following night Bricknasty will be bringing their boisterous and eclectic mix of R&B, hip-hop and soul to the same venue.

As ever if there are new music releases or gigs for the Limerick area that you wish to have featured in future editions, then just get in contact with John Loftus your local GoldenPlec man on the ground.