Latest news with #FontainesDC
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Kneecap gig at music festival cancelled as police express ‘safety concerns'
Kneecap has announced that the band's performance at the Scottish festival TRNSMT will not go ahead. The west Belfast rap trio were set to take to the stage at the Glasgow-based event taking place from July 11-13 and has announced a star-studded line-up with the likes of Biffy Clyro, 50 Cent, Snow Patrol and Fontaines DC – the popular Irish band scheduled to perform with Kneecap in Belfast later this year.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Q&A: Suzanne Vega On Her New Album And First Album Four Decades Later
US singer and songwriter Suzanne Vega performs during a concert at the Nimes Festival, in Nimes ... More Arena, southern France, on July 16, 2024. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP) (Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images) Forty years ago, New York-based singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega released her brilliant eponymous debut. A critically acclaimed folk collection, the superb debut pre-dated Tracy Chapman's landmark debut by three years and Lilith Fair by 12 years. When Sarah McLachlan kicked off the Lilith Fair at the Gorge in Washington in 1997, Vega was the very first main stage performer. Yeah, Suzanne Vega deserves a lot of credit for the trailblazing role she played in the Eighties and Nineties. Four decades later Vega is back with the excellent Flying With Angels, her first album of all-new material in over a decade. I spoke with her about the two albums, political songwriting, Joey Ramone and more. Steve Baltin: You have always been a very distinctly New York artist and 'Rats' is a song that could only written by someone who lives in New York. Suzanne Vega: Thank you. I take that as a compliment. Baltin: It is a compliment. It feels like it was written for a Broadway show. Vega: I was thinking of the Ramones, honestly. I was thinking of The Ramones and there's a band called Fontaines D.C., which is sort of a new punk band out of Ireland. So, I could see how it has a Broadway feel. It's just a lot to sing on stage. Baltin: Oh, so you've done it live already. Have you done a lot of this material live? Vega: Oh, we've done about half the songs live. Baltin: I'm going to come back to this in one second. I must ask as a big fan. What do you think The Ramones would do with it as a cover? Vega: Oh my God. Well, first of all, it's a little more complicated than The Ramones songs tended to be, it's a little longer than they might have. So, they probably would simplify it. I don't know. I'm in awe just thinking of those words coming out of Joey Ramones mouth. That would be amazing. I met Joey once or twice; our paths would cross from time to time. But I don't think he thought of me as the kind of artist that he would cover. Although there was a really good thrash metal version of 'Luka' by the Lemonheads. I thought that worked pretty well. So, I think if people are inclined to do punk rock covers of my songs that it works pretty well. Baltin: What would be the one song of yours you would love to hear someone do a punk rock cover of? Vega: Well, the other song that did get a punk rock treatment was 'Blood Makes Noise' by a band called Acid Rain. I thought they did a good job of that as well. Are there other songs? Yeah, probably. It's not up to me to think of them, though. Like, I never would have thought of a thrash metal version of 'Luka,' because my brain doesn't work that way. But people kind of know when something is right for them. Baltin: I love the wonderful new record, but obviously it's been a while since there's been all-new material. Were these songs written in a concentrated period or over time, because it feels like 'Rats' and 'Galway' were like 100 years apart? Vega: They were a year apart, but not 100 years. But I know what you mean, because stylistically, they're at the opposite ends of the spectrum. That's just how I work, though. I have different moods. So, it's not like I have periods where I'm like, 'Oh, in a folky period,' and then I slowly transition. No, it's more like a mood. Okay, today, working with Jerry, say, we'd be in a punk rock mood. Then the next time it might be time, so it changes pretty quickly. Baltin: I talk with artists about writing being subconscious. So, were there songs on this record that really surprised you? Vega: Oh yeah. The trick was following them down the rabbit hole in spite of the fact that they were a surprise. I'd say half the album was like, "Whoa, where are we going with this?" When I first conceived of the idea of 'Love Thief,' "I am the love thief" I was like, "Okay, this is a totally different sound for me." And I just sang it into my phone the way I just did to you and sent it to Jerry going "Here, have fun." Then he sent it back to me with a really good musical bed for it. So that that was a surprise. The other surprise was 'Witch,' I didn't know what was going to happen with that song. That's sort of a prog rock song, which again, I couldn't have foreseen how we were going to go with that. It has a folky beginning and then what I think of as prog rock. It's sort of like my Pink Floyd moment. Baltin: One of the other ones I love on the record is 'Chambermaid.' You're one of the few people I know who can write a really good story song. Tom Waits does it as well, Dylan, of course can write story songs. But 'Chambermaid' almost reminded me a little bit of 'Queen and the Soldier' 40 years later. Not in terms of theme, but stylistically, because it's writing a true narrative from the perspective of someone else. Vega: Yeah, I really had fun with that. I really was able to step into her shoes and see the room she was cleaning and imagine the details; maybe he's got cuff links he leaves out on the table but she knows that he wouldn't leave anything genuinely valuable on the table. It's this way of creating all the details of this imaginary world. I really had fun with that and that took about an hour and a half. Baltin: Do you find that the current political climate has affected you artistically? Vega: Yeah, I feel it has affected me artistically, but I kind of also want to say that whenever I write a song and I feel the politics creeping into it, I want people to know that I'm writing as a citizen. I vote, I read the newspaper, I'm affected by the political atmosphere just like everybody else is. I'm not writing anything as a celebrity. I'm not trying to tell anybody to do anything in particular. I am expressing a feeling through my art, which is my prerogative. Baltin: For you, who does that well? Who are the best political songwriters? For me it always starts and ends with John Lennon because for me he did such a phenomenal job of mixing the personal and political, so he made the political feel very human. Vega: I see your point. That had not occurred to me but I think I think you've got a point. There are two people that come to my mind immediately; the main one of course is Bob Dylan, who was able to write a song like 'Masters of War,' which is really personal but really political at the same time at such a young age. And he was also able to write a song like Medgar Evans ('Only A Pawn In Their Gane'), which is almost journalistic in its approach. It was iso factual. There was not a single metaphor in that song. I don't think. I think he's the epitome of great political songwriting. The other song I've always loved is 'Biko' by Peter Gabriel. He wrote about his political situation in a soulful and meaningful way that didn't have the dead language of jargon and slogans. I don't consider myself a political writer, but I feel that I have the right to voice my feelings from time to time if I'm moved to. Baltin: It's crazy to think that we're weeks away from the 40-year anniversary of your first album. Are you able to look at those songs now almost like a fan because the songs are almost like from someone else, they are so long ago? Vega: It's a different life yes, but my life is not like a lot of people's life, and I'll give you an example. There's a song on the first album called 'Freeze Tag.' I wrote that for my boyfriend at the time whose name was Paul Mills, and he had also influenced some of 'Marlena on the Wall' because he was a film fanatic and he had taught me all this stuff about film. So, jump ahead to now, Paul Mills and I got back together again in 2006 and got married. I am actually married to that guy from the first album. So, the songs still have a relevance to me and still are alive in a certain way that I don't think happens in a lot of people's lives. A lot of people live episodically. Mine is really truly more of a circle
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Fontaines DC at Guinness Storehouse: A match made in heaven
Fontaines DC are the biggest Irish band in the post-band era. Bands are too much trouble – members won't do what they are told and an anachronism in a world where music, as Bono remarks, is increasingly assembled and not created. That they exist at all in the current music landscape is a marvel, but they are a band that has progressed with each album and kept a multigenerational fan base. Fontaines DC in the grounds of Dublin city's most famous tourist attraction, the Guinness Storehouse, was a match made in marketing heaven. Last weekend's Lovely Days Live was a successful attempt to marry top-class music with promotional activities without the flak visited on the Arthur's Day shindigs a decade ago. READ MORE The Storehouse is 25 years old and looms over the concert venue in the old yard at the front gates. Tickets for this concert and Saturday's one by CMAT were subject to a ballot and were immediately sold out. Grian Chatten stomps around the stage and cajoles the crowd into singing along, not that they need an invitation. Photograph: Tom Honan As a music venue, it is not optimal. It feels hemmed in between old buildings, the ground slopes down from the stage making it difficult to see at the back. The organisers should include a big screen the next time – if there is a next time. Lead singer Grian Chatten stomps around the stage wearing a scarf and shades on a cool and gloomy evening. He prowls and scowls and cajoles the crowd into singing along, not that they need an invitation. 'Dublin in the rain is mine, a pregnant city with a Catholic mind,' he sings on Big. There was no rain thankfully, as there's no shelter. Fontaines DC are one of the many Irish acts exercised by what is happening in Gaza at present and the looming court case involving Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara. There was no rain thankfully, as there's no shelter. Photograph: Tom Honan He was charged by UK police with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hizbullah at a gig in London last November. He's due to appear in court in London on June 18th. Chatten dedicated their performance of Favourite to Kneecap manager Daniel Lambert, who is also the chief operating officer for Bohemians FC. The club brought out a Fontaines DC themed third strip last year that was very much in evidence on Sunday. 'Never be scared to talk about Palestine,' Chatten said, which was followed by a smattering of 'free Palestine' chants from the crowd. Later, he shouted, 'free Kneecap, free Palestine' as he walked offstage following the closing song Starburster. [ Workman's Club heyday: Where we rubbed shoulders with Paul Mescal, Fontaines DC and Morrissey Opens in new window ] Lankum's brand of soporific Celtic drone music needs a more intimate venue than this and it did not help that much of their gear never arrived from Stockholm. The band did, however, get animated about Gaza, as well. 'Genocide is for losers. If you do not call out genocide, you're an even f**king bigger loser,' came the cry from the stage. The muted cheers suggested most of those present were there for the music, not the politics. Conor Deegan of Fontaines DC. Photograph: Tom Honan Grian Chatten expressed support for Kneecap's Mo Chara. Photograph: Tom Honan
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Belfast summer concerts in doubt over 'safety arrangements' dispute
Major gigs by the likes of Sam Fender and Fontaines DC in Belfast this summer could be in doubt due to a disagreement over "health and safety arrangements". Music events at the council-owned Boucher Road Playing Fields previously used a neighbouring site, held by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), as an emergency exit point. But this time the fire service has not given Belfast City Council (BCC) consent to use the site, BBC News NI understands. The NIFRS and council said they were "engaging" in a bid to resolve the issue and ensure "the necessary health and safety arrangements can be put in place". The playing fields regularly hosts major gigs with audiences of about 40,000 people. Several big concerts are planned for this summer including Sam Fender, Fontaines DC supported by Kneecap and the two-day Farmer's Bash festival. A site beside the playing fields - a former NIFRS training centre - has been used in previous years as an access and exit route. The land is owned by the council and leased to the fire service. It vacated the site last year after opening a new training facility outside Cookstown, County Tyrone. The disagreement over access to the Belfast site centres on safety and security matters. It is also understood the fire service has questioned whether using the site would impact on a rates discount for unoccupied properties. In a statement, a spokeswoman for the NIFRS said the site was "currently going through a process of divestment". "NIFRS has vacated the site and would be supportive of an agreement that would see the lease revert to Belfast City Council control, enabling the necessary health and safety arrangements to be put in place for the summer shows," she added. "NIFRS continues to engage with Belfast City Council and other stakeholders, around the divestment process and the events scheduled at Boucher Playing Fields." A council spokeswoman said: "The council has been engaging with NIFRS with a view to ensuring that the necessary health and safety arrangements can be put in place for these concerts. "This includes access through the NIFRS site for emergency exit purposes." As part of efforts to resolve matters, it is understood the council also approached Stormont's Department of Health, which oversees the NIFRS. A health department spokeswoman said: "This is an issue for NIFRS and its board." MCD Productions, which is planning some of the concerts at the playing fields this summer, was also approached for comment. K.A.D - The Belfast DJ living her festival dream A guide to Belfast's big night with the Boss
BBC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sam Fender and Fontaines DC Belfast gigs in doubt over 'safety arrangements'
Major gigs by the likes of Sam Fender and Fontaines DC in Belfast this summer could be in doubt due to a disagreement over "health and safety arrangements". Music events at the council-owned Boucher Road Playing Fields previously used a neighbouring site, held by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), as an emergency exit this time the fire service has not given Belfast City Council (BCC) consent to use the site, BBC News NI NIFRS and council said they were "engaging" in a bid to resolve the issue and ensure "the necessary health and safety arrangements can be put in place". The playing fields regularly hosts major gigs with audiences of about 40,000 big concerts are planned for this summer including Sam Fender, Fontaines DC supported by Kneecap and the two-day Farmer's Bash festival. A site beside the playing fields - a former NIFRS training centre - has been used in previous years as an access and exit land is owned by the council and leased to the fire vacated the site last year after opening a new training facility outside Cookstown, County disagreement over access to the Belfast site centres on safety and security is also understood the fire service has questioned whether using the site would impact on a rates discount for unoccupied properties. 'Process of divestment' In a statement, a spokeswoman for the NIFRS said the site was "currently going through a process of divestment"."NIFRS has vacated the site and would be supportive of an agreement that would see the lease revert to Belfast City Council control, enabling the necessary health and safety arrangements to be put in place for the summer shows," she added."NIFRS continues to engage with Belfast City Council and other stakeholders, around the divestment process and the events scheduled at Boucher Playing Fields."A council spokeswoman said: "The council has been engaging with NIFRS with a view to ensuring that the necessary health and safety arrangements can be put in place for these concerts."This includes access through the NIFRS site for emergency exit purposes."As part of efforts to resolve matters, it is understood the council also approached Stormont's Department of Health, which oversees the NIFRS.A health department spokeswoman said: "This is an issue for NIFRS and its board."MCD Productions, which is planning some of the concerts at the playing fields this summer, was also approached for comment.
