Button Factory // August 19th

The lads relight the big bang ahead of what is guaranteed to be a stormer at Electric Picnic.

www.kila.ie/

www.buttonfactory.ie/

Temple Bar // 24-26 July

International drumming festival you say? In Temple Bar? We’re there. Don’t miss the Big Bang 4 at 18h00 in Meeting House Square on the Sunday.

www.bigbangfestival.com

Twisted Pepper // July 25

The highly acclaimed Panorama resident brings his deep, lush grooves to the north side. Also plays Galway’s Deeper the previous evening with Lowerstate lad Ruari.

www.salonseries.ie

Farmleigh // July 21

IRISH GOVERNMENT IN GOOD IDEA SHOCKER. It seems wrong, I know, but bear with me. For five summers the Salon Series has gently wowed audiences at Phoenix Park’s magnificent Farmleigh House, courtesy of the Office of Public Works and the Improvised Music Company. Now maybe the folks in Kildare St have muddled along unaware all this time; maybe they’re all secret fans of peerless musicianship set in stately ballrooms, only posing to be haplessly incompetent parish pump pushers – in any case the series continues this summer with the inaugural Choice Music Prize winner Julie Feeney. Expect her bold voice and delicate arrangements to suit the ballroom’s natural acoustics perfectly. Tickets are free, but subject to lottery.

www.salonseries.ie

Whelan’s // July 19

Those of you still working for a living may find an evening upstairs in Whelan’s a tad more feasible. Tim O’Donovan’s uber-chic, super-sexy synth pop will have the art school girls in a twist. Watch out for the on-stage dancer – think Bez with more neon.

www.myspace.com/neosupervital

O2 // July 19, 20, 22, 23

Uncle Lenny makes €120 seem like pennies for four nights this month at the O2. At time of writing only tickets for the 23rd are still around. Anyone who went along to Kilmainham last summer will tell you it’s a bargain.

www.leonardcohen.com/

www.theo2.ie/

Whelan’s // July 18

Fresh from recording a Daniel Johnston tribute with none other than James Yorkston, the Dublin based Galwegian brings his entirely lovely Season of the Sparks record to Whelan’s.

http://www.myspace.com/adriancrowley