Tyler Keel has released his debut single, ‘I Say’. Originally a game developer, Tyler Keel is a fresh face to the music industry, and yet he is already such a promising talent. The artist picked up game development at just 13-years-old, but it was the songwriting that allowed him to be even more creative and find an outlet for his thoughts/emotions. Now fully emerged as a performing artist, Keel describes his process as very much music first, finding a beat that he resonates with before he starts to let the lyrics flow.
Surging with emotion and pop-punk bravado ‘I Say’ is a dynamic debut from Tyler Keel. The track sits on a bed of gritty guitars, pummeling drums and elastic bass lines that fill out the energetic foundation while Keel’s gritty vocals express the evocative lyrics. “so I have to know if my heart is in purgatory… put me in a spiral of grief I don’t know how to get you off my mind”. Laced with shredding riffs and oodles of energy ‘I say’ is a compelling and impressive new tune.
Dublin indie rock four-piece Inhaler kicked off their 36-date world tour, with two shows in Dublin’s historic 3Olympia Theatre last week. I headed down to the second date which proved to be a momentous affair. Right from the get-go, I got a sense of the “Beatlemania” effect this band has on their fans. A member of the audience collapsed almost halfway through the first song prompting vocalist and guitarist Elijah Hewson to stop the performance until he was sure the fan was looked after and ok. Perhaps that’s one of the facets of this band’s appeal; their love and care for the safety of their fans …but mostly it’s the wonderful musical earworms these guys create, their youthful adrenaline- fuelled sound and relatable lyrics that discuss the trials and tribulations of life as a 20-something.
Inhaler continued their set with a myriad of fan favourites that immediately went down a treat with the crowd as they bellowed back the lyrics as if their lives depended on it. ‘When It Breaks’ had the pit in a bustle of bouncing bodies and flailing limbs, even fans in the seated section of the 3Olympia were up on their feet dancing. This band have natural charisma and an irresistible charm about them. They don’t need flamboyant stage antics. Their chilled, suave stance and magnetic tunes speak for themselves and draw the crowd in effortlessly. Keen to get as many songs into their set list as possible the band whacked out catchy banger after banger and it became instantly apparent these guys are competent and talented musicians with a checklist of stadium rock-worthy crowd-pleasing tunes.
As performers and artists, the four-piece have grown rapidly. They ooze more confidence since the last I saw them and it is clear they are more comfortable on stage as well. A fine example of their musical growth on the night was their performance of ‘A Night On The Floor’. Much to the delight of the crowd, Josh Jenkinson fleshed out his intricate guitar manoeuvres between Elijah Hewson’s silken croons, Robert Keating’s malleable basslines and Ryan McMahon’s rhythmic drumming. There were many memorable moments throughout the performance and as the night progressed the venue became a bubbling pot of euphoria, fans bounced and sang along to the entire setlist without fail and it is easy to why. These guys create fun, dance-able tunes that blend indie rock, pop and funk embellishments with ease creating an atmosphere for fans to let everything go and enjoy themselves. As Inhaler belted their way through ‘Love Will Get You There’ and ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’, the mania of the crowd only intensified. There are not many bands around that can whip a crowd into a frenzy the way Inhaler do and it was a wonderful sight to experience and be a part of.
Inhaler are a joy to experience live. The band possess a professional manner and enviable musical talent well beyond their years. They have had to master their craft fast with a lot of eyes on them and last Thursday night was a triumphant middle finger to anyone who doubted them.
New Year’s Festival Dublin have announced Gavin James with special guests Lyra and Brad Heidi for an unmissable Midnight Moment Matinee on New Year’s Eve – a very special earlier countdown event for for All Ages
Tickets for the Midnight Moment Matinee On Sale Now
New Year’s Festival Dublin Returns After 3 Years with Spectacular Countdown Events and Festival Village
Further line up of stellar acts to be announced in the coming weeks
Ring in 2023 with New Year’s Festival Dublin, Ireland’s biggest New Year Celebration. Dublin City will come alive over 2 days of celebrations on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day as New Year’s Festival Dublin returns, bigger and better than ever – with a brand-new Festival Village and 2 spectacular countdown events all taking place along North Wall Quay.
With entertainment starting at 4pm leading to the earlier countdown spectacle at 7pm – expect a carnival atmosphere filled with awe and wonder.
Tickets for the Midnight Moment Matinee (Early Bird Tickets from. €7.90 with a family ticket priced €14.90 – all ticket prices include booking fee ) are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.ie. Subject to licence,
Westlife have also been confirmed to headline New Year’s Festival Dublin performing in the brand-new Festival Village on New Year’s Eve, 31st December – with special guests Gavin James and Lyra. This exciting announcement follows hot on the heels of one of the band’s most successful years ever with sold-out Irish, European and Asian stadium dates that included shows at London’s Wembley Stadium, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The tour continues with over 70 shows around the world. Tickets are on sale now.
New this year, NYF Dublin’s Festival Village will become a hive of activity for families and friends with fun-filled festivities for all ages. Soak up the electrifying atmosphere as a host of stellar Irish musicians and DJs will perform live across 6 stages along North Wall Quay and enjoy live music, street entertainment and the best of food delights at the festival village from early until late.
Tickets for the Midnight Moment Matinee (Early Bird Tickets from. €7.90 including booking fee) are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.ie. Subject to licence.
New Year’s Festival Dublin is a Fáilte Ireland initiative, produced and promoted by MCD Productions.
NYF Dublin is part of the Winter in Dublin Programme, an initiative of Failte Ireland.
Fresh from the release of his latest single ‘Lonely Street’, Blood Donor (the solo project of ex-Otherkin frontman Luke Reilly) returns with his new single ‘Man, What Have You Done?’.Blood Donor’s debut album is due to be announced very soon and is slated for release in the Summer of 2023. His releases to date have drawn press acclaim and enjoyed considerable airtime on radio stations in both Ireland and the UK, having been named a ‘Future Artist’ by BBC Radio One’s Jack Saunders and having received healthy rotation on RTÉ 2FM, Today FM and FM104. Known for his magnetism and presence as a frontman during his Otherkin years, he is now touring with a 5-piece band featuring some of Ireland’s finest live musicians. You can catch them live at Other Voices on the 2nd-4th of December.
‘Man, What Have You Done?’ is an irresistible musical delight that displays Blood Donor’s deft ability to create truly compelling music. With warm jazz-speckled keys fluttering between edgy guitars, psychedelic moments and pounding drums; the track moves with ease between light mellow tones and sunkissed indie rock bravado. Reilly slips into his sweet falsetto for the bright chorus that is relaxed, and peppy with a hint of indie grit while the airy melody is so sweet you can’t help but crave to hear more. Lyrically Reilly takes a deep dive into his musings on friendships that come and go and wonderfully expresses these thoughts through illustrious instrumentation, lush harmonies and upbeat soundscapes. ‘Man, What Have You Done?’ is a radiant bop that is a joy to listen to and beckons repeat plays.
Stream ‘Man, What Have You Done?’ below
Author: Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
