Ian Mc Donnell

Jan 7, 2025 | mcgigmusic.com | Ian Mc Donnell

Bridget Hayden is an experimental musician, who invites the ghosts in for the classic folk songs that make up her stunning new album, Cold Blows the Rain, a new eight-song collection released via Basin Rock. The songs that make up Cold Blows the Rain come wrapped in mist and coated with drizzle, those elements shaping the album as much as the voice and the instruments held within, as real but ambiguous as the ghosts that linger in the shadows.

Oct 1, 2024 | mcgigmusic.com | Ian Mc Donnell

A Place To Bury Strangers release the new single/video ‘Fear Of Transformation‘ from their forthcoming album, ‘Synthesizer’, to be released digitally on 4th October, and on vinyl on 25th October via Dedstrange. Following lead singles ‘Disgust‘, ‘You Got Me‘ and ‘Bad Idea‘, “Fear Of Transformation” is a snarling, gothic techno-punk track that feels like getting body-slammed by a wave out at sea. The track delves into the struggle of overcoming internal barriers.

Oct 7, 2023 | backseatmafia.com | Ian Mc Donnell |John Parry |Gareth O'Malley |Simon Lucas-Hughes

New Order rolled into a packed out 3Arena on the Dublin leg of their current UK and European tour, playing a fantastic set containing all the hits and more. Opening with Crystal before firing Age of Consent and Ceremony from their enviable canon, they took the audience in a trip through their discography. Holding back the big guns till the end the band finished their set with a fantastic triple header of True Faith, Blue Monday and Temptation, which had the crowd baying for more.

Oct 2, 2023 | backseatmafia.com | Ian Mc Donnell |Deb Pelser |Arun Kendall |Craig Young

Making a quick return to Dublin was legendary rapper Snoop Dogg, only a matter of months after his March 3Arena date, this time arriving into the city with his High Rollers Tour, which has taken in a number of European dates so far. On the bill this time around was Detroit heavy weight rapper Obie Trice, DJ invisible – who happens to also be Obie’s tour DJ, and Dublins very own Hip-hop due Versatile.

Sep 21, 2023 | backseatmafia.com | Ian Mc Donnell |Deb Pelser |Andrew Fuller |Arun Kendall

Stetsons and cowboy boots were the order of the day as global superstar Shania Twain roared into Dublin on her big steel stallion, for her worldwide ‘Queen of Me’ tour at 3Arena. As the stage time ticked, with anticipation at its highest with all eyes (and inevitably, phones) glued to the stage, she pulled off something of a surprise by appearing not on stage but in the balcony amongst the fans (see cover photo) singing ‘Wake Up You’re Dreaming’.