Latest news with #IrishSummer
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Weezer at Trinity College review: A thoroughly satisfying gig
Weezer Trinity College Dublin ★★★★☆ They have made albums known as Blue, Green, Red, White, Teal and Black, but grey is the dominant colour tonight. Thankfully, the cloud that hangs over Trinity College Dublin is a physical rather than a metaphorical one, and it eventually gives way to a smattering of rain as Weezer play their songs Island in the Sun and Holiday. The irony of the so-called Irish summer is not lost on the southern Californian band and their fans. Rivers Cuomo and his bandmates may not have brought the weather with them from California, but they have brought a set list that's undeniably all killer, no filler. Now celebrating their 33rd year of existence, the four-piece last played Ireland on a double bill with the Smashing Pumpkins in 2024, and with Green Day and Fall Out Boy in 2022, but 'it's always better with just Weezer fans', as a grinning Cuomo tells the sold-out audience. Now in his mid-fifties, Cuomo remains the archetypal geeky indie frontman, hair now greying but nonetheless resplendent in an argyle vest and sensible cardigan. His between-song chat may be limited, but he has certainly lost none of his enthusiasm for the songs. He gleefully tackles their 22-song set list with a spirited sense of earnestness, from the bolshie crowd-pleaser Hash Pipe to the grimy thud of In the Garage, one of many tracks drawn from their debut (and arguably best) album. [ Trinity Summer Series 2025: Weezer, Rag'n'Bone Man, Amble and Marti Pellow Opens in new window ] As progenitors of power pop with a grungy alt-rock kick, Weezer have released 14 albums since that era-defining Blue album in 1994. It is somewhat telling, however, that tonight's set list features nothing from the last 15 years; with arguably diminishing returns on their more recent fare, their set list is heavy on early material. Not that the crowd is complaining: My Name is Jonas, Surf Wax America and the thunderous chorus of Undone (The Sweater Song) spark joyful singalongs, plastic pint glasses flung skywards in delight. Cuomo playfully changes the lyrics of several tracks to suit the location: the soaring, anthemic refrain of Beverly Hills becomes 'living in Dublin , Ireland', while Pork and Beans drops in a reference to U2 that seems to go over most people's heads. READ MORE Rivers Cuomo (left) and Scott Shriner of Weezer. Photograph: Helle Arensbak/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images Tracks from their second album Pinkerton are equally ecstatically received, including ferocious standout Pink Triangle and a brilliant El Scorcho. They depart the stage while it's still bright – this great gig would have been marvellous in a dark venue with an effective light show – returning only for a brief encore with the night's two best songs: a glorious telling of Say it Ain't So, and a brilliant, breezy Buddy Holly, a track laden with melody and spiky agitation that sums up the best of Cuomo's songwriting. To his credit, he sings the latter with the gusto of a man who has just penned it rather than one who has spent the last three decades being defined by it: it's a thrilling end to a thoroughly satisfying gig. Their recent recorded output may leave a lot to be desired, but tonight at least, Weezer are a band that fully understood the assignment: shut up and play the hits.
Irish Times
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
How to wear denim - from jeans to jorts
Don't assume that with summer's arrival, it's time to ditch your denim. The hardy fabric is a wardrobe essential all year round, even more so in an unpredictable Irish summer. Making denim summer-appropriate is all about striking a balance of comfort, breathability, and the flexibility to adapt if the temperature decides to rise. On the 2025 catwalks, the more relaxed, easy-breezy notion of denim continued. Loose, lightweight silhouettes were the go-to choice for jeans at Chloe, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta. One standout trend? Drawstring waists. A new addition to the denim roster for summer, the stretchy-style waistband has given rise to the 'sweatpant jeans' trend. These hybrids combine the comfort of joggers or sweatpants with the classic look of denim. Designers Gabriela Hearst, Dior, and Bottega also offered their versions of comfy denim that could pass for track pants. If you prefer a more elevated version, the wide-leg style crafted from authentic denim will still offer the same breezy, comforting style with a little more structure and polish. Cuffed denim is another detail that designers and the high street alike have embraced; whether your jeans come pre-rolled or you do a DIY job, this styling hack adds a lighter, more relaxed feel to denim while helping to balance proportions. Cuffed denim puts your shoes in the spotlight – so pair them with ballet flats, sleek trainers or pointed kitten heels for the evening. [ A man's guide to looking sharp at summer weddings, from elegant tuxedos to casual linen Opens in new window ] Powder blue wide-leg, €115, Aligne Palazzo jeans, €52, Very Ireland Elastic waist trousers, €58, river Island Crystal jeans, €660, Hellessy Dark denim shirt, €79, Cos On the other end of the denim scale, dressier and tailored styles dominated the catwalk shows of Chanel, Bally, and Stella McCartney. Chanel dusted cuffs with intricate beadwork, while McCartney went all out with shimmering, co-ordinating denim sets that are ideal for making a statement at summer occasions. Answering the call for elevated denim, Bally went refined with pintuck denim that could pass for tailored trousers. Meanwhile, inky dark denim washes made a surprising appearance on the catwalks of Jil Sander, Max Mara, and Schiaparelli, giving denim a more formal edge for summer. READ MORE Bringing a more couture sensibility to denim, Irish designer Helen Cody recently launched HC Denim. This new sub-brand offers handcrafted, made-to-measure denim pieces reflecting her decades of expertise in bespoke design. Each piece is crafted from luxury deadstock denim, and the initial capsule collection features tailored jeans, denim dresses, and corset jackets. 'Denim is such a democratic fabric, but we are treating it like couture – everything is hand-cut, tailored, and crafted in-studio,' says Cody. [ Fashion's future stars: Student designers create playful, sustainable collections ] Another handcrafted offering is Dublin-based Native Denims, a denim atelier that creates bespoke, made-to-measure jeans. They're expanding their denim roster with more womenswear later this year, including barrel-shaped jeans and waistcoats. Native Denim Bustier, €450, barrel leg jean, €650, both HC Denim by Helen Cody If you prefer to keep it on the light spectrum, cream, ecru, and chalky whites were the mainstay denim hues at Chloe and Isabel Marant. These shades are a perennial summer trend, but for 2025, the key to making it look contemporary lies in the cut – try barrel, wide, or straight-leg styles. Styling-wise, go tonal. Mix and match various neutral shades of ivory, cream, and stone for a fresh summer look. Another summer denim classic is the cut-off short, but for 2025, they've gone grown-up. Enter the jort – the jean short, or bermuda short. Longer in length, typically sitting just above the knee, they are a dressier, tailored version of the casual cut-off. Enhance the tailored style of the shorts by pairing them with a shirting or an oversized blazer. When it comes to footwear, try ballet flats, pointed courts, or slingback kitten heels for added elevation. Ecru straight leg, €115, Aligne Dark denim short, €99, Whistles Jean shorts, €42, MS
Irish Times
14-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Summer strawberries: Two desserts that celebrate the defining fruit of the season
This week the focus is on strawberries. Those beautiful, red bundles of sweetness that define the Irish summer. There are thousands of varieties of strawberries, which have been cultivated since the 1700s. Today, global production exceeds 10 million tonnes of fruit per year. In the restaurant where I worked , strawberries were used from June through to August, with the gariguette variety proving popular. On rare occasions, we were able to source wild (or Alpine) strawberries. These tiny specimens command a high price for their floral and complex flavour profile, which reminds you why strawberries are descended from the rose family. Being wild produce, they are hard to find and should used sparingly. Anything we couldn't serve fresh was blended into a purée or ice cream; it would be a brave chef that would waste a single piece. [ The story behind roadside strawberry stands – one of the heralds of Irish summer Opens in new window ] The more common strawberries are still a force to be reckoned with. This week, I'm serving them fresh and cooked to showcase their versatility. While fresh strawberries are best served at room temperature for the next few weeks, they can be preserved to enjoy all year round. This is where jams, syrups, sorbets, juices and vinegars come into play. Mark Moriarty's strawberry pavlova with honey cream. Photograph: Harry Weir One thing that always gets me is why people insist on using strawberries all year round. We have an abundance of great Irish producers of berries, with a different variety for each season. With that in mind, these recipes are designed for strawberries now, but can be adapted to showcase raspberries later in the summer and blackberries in the autumn. READ MORE First up is a simple pavlova with honey cream and fresh strawberries. The meringue should be crisp on the outside and slightly chewy in the middle. The honey cream is a versatile recipe that adds a layer of complexity to this simple dish. The bees that produce the honey have likely pollinated the strawberry plants as well, so it's a homage to their hard work and effort. Eve's pudding with strawberries. Photograph: Harry Weir The second recipe is a comforting classic that I first discovered on my home-economics book many years ago. Eve's pudding involves baking a light sponge mix on top of a fruit compote. This is then served with whipped cream, ice cream or custard. The oldest recipes call for cooking apples as the filling, but I've added strawberries coated in some jam. This is a very simple dessert that can be thrown together last minute and will put a smile on even the hardiest of faces. Recipe: Strawberry pavlova with honey cream Recipe: Eve's pudding with strawberries
