It’s been a while since our last Limerick Digest and as always it has been a very busy time on Shannonside with a whole raft of quality releases, and notable live performances.

First up to note is the hugely talented Sinead O’Brien who has delivered a stunning debut album with ‘Time Bend & Break the Bower‘ which is getting notices of real high praise from the musical press all over the globe. Sinead also prefaced the album release with an impressive performance on Jools Holland, and a support slot at the recent Duran Duran gig in St. Anne’s Park Dublin. Don’t miss her at All Together Now Festival, or on her autumn Irish tour which includes an Oct 29th date in her hometown venue of Dolan Warehouse.

The Narolane Records crew were making even more waves than usual, a few weeks ago Murli teamed up with Jafaris to release his latest singe, the extremely powerful Rocks, whilst God Knows has just released Twelve 61 which mines his Zimbabwean roots and sees him collaborate with dancehall artist Jah Master who also happens to be his cousin. Denise Chaila continued her one woman campaign to conquer the music world by teaming up with no less an artist than Ed Sheeran on his recent release 2Step, which followed on from her support slot on his myriad of Irish tour dates. And if that wasn’t enough Denise and the Narolane gang played the legendary Glastonbury a mere few days after being honoured at a civic reception hosted by Limerick’s Lord Mayor, and in recent weeks they have also lent their multiple talents to a very tasty Narolane remix of the Kormac track New Day.

Following their recent stellar appearance at the Seoda Shows Birthday Party in Dolans His Father’s Voice popped into the Piquant Media studio for a session well worth taking a gander at, and congrats to Limerick singer-songwriter Abby Butler who has won through to the final of the Battle of the Bands in Mike the Pies which takes place on July 22nd in the legendary Listowel venue.

Other notable releases from the environs of the Treat City include The Living Wake, the epic psych-out from Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies who will be popping up at numerous festivals during the summer. There was more new music from Japanese Jesus with Bus Weirdo and Silent Vices released their album ‘spirit of envy’. Finally on the release front Emma Langford teamed up with Shoresh for The Unquiet Grave a simply captivating atmospheric track which was one of Luke Kelly’s favourite songs to sing and is based on a 15th century poem. In addition to that Emma also has special re-release of The Winding Way Down to Kells Bay with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra coming out on July 1st in support of the charity Croí, who lead the fight against heart disease and stroke particularly in the West of Ireland, you’ll find it on Emma’s Bandcamp page upon release.

On the live music front there is plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks.

The Bobby Lees who hail from Woodstock, N.Y rock up to the Kasbah Social Club in Dolans on July 2nd, they are a band who have released two albums ‘Beauty Pageant’ and ‘Skin Suit’ and have been described as being “as undisciplined as No Wave, as steeped in comatose cool as ‘70s CBGB’s blank generation, and as stylishly ferocious as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs”. On the same night over in Pharmacia  sees ELIKYA taking the stage, a Congolese rumba orchestra that will make you move in ways you didn’t know you could. Support comes from MISSION DJ’s and Sonny Emerald on the wheels of steel.

Mannequin Pussy, the Philadelphia punk band are set to rock the Kasbah Social Club on July 6th, while the following night, July 7th there’s a crackin’ line-up in the Record Room of The Commercial Bar on Catherine St. with Vacuity and Undercover Martians supporting Cascando’s debut headliner. Cascando are a 60s revival rock band from Limerick city who drift between mellow folk tunes and fuzzy, acid-fried psych rock.

Limerick Pride  comes to a literal climax with not one but two gigs in the city on Saturday, July 9th. DYKE NITE will be held at Pharmacia and kicks offs at the wonderful early time of 4pm running late into the night. Hosted by DJ Egg (House of SÍdhe) and NEEV (Stinx Club). DYKE NITE is a celebration of queer power and love and promises to be a midsummer dyke’s dream: with live drag performances in the lane, followed by DJ sets upstairs from Bambi, DJ Egg and Roo Honeychild.

Whilst up the town Dolans hosts the Limerick Pride Climax Party which offers access all areas excitement with every room in the venue open to all. The bill of fare includes, the fabulous international artist Courtney Act in the Warehouse, while Saved by the 90s takes place Upstairs and Olivia Chau hosts Alterego in the Kasbah.

Finally never an act to be missed is Dundalk’s psychic punk prophet Jinx Lennon, who tops the bill on a L.A.S.A. Presents night in Pharmacia on July 16th.

Before we wrap this edition of the Limerick Digest just a reminder of two hugely exciting events taking place in August. We’ve King of Limerick herself Denise Chaila taking her rightful place Live at the Castle on August 20th. And if that wasn’t exciting enough Féile Na Gréine makes its long awaited return and promises an amazing line-up from August 19th to 21st, we’ll bring you details next time out. In the meantime if you have a music release or event coming up then please get in touch with our local man on the ground John Loftus.