Holst Cotswolds Symphony
It's been five years since the Ulster Orchestra released a CD, this stirring, buoyant recording was worth the wait
Years Ago in Our Backyard
There have been great expectations for the Farriers debut album. Was it worth the wait?
Oh Pioneer
Duke Special's new album is his 'most personal yet, an absorbing picture of the singer growing up in public'
Great Northern Songbook
An unexpected expletive fails to derail BBC Radio Ulster's tribute to the Ulster Hall
Carducci String Quartet
Moving on Music programme an energising and enthusiastic evening of classical music at the MAC
Andy Irvine and Friends
A virtuoso performance from four of Ireland's folk heroes including Dónal Lunny, Liam O’Flynn and Paddy Glackin
Bayou Seco
An unlikely trio bring the old sounds of the American wilderness to No Alibis bookstore
JACK Quartet
The MAC's inaugural classical concert by the New York string quartet is a 'stunning, world-class performance'
Titanic – A Commemoration In Music And Film
A Titanic event that entertains with integrity. A life-affirming triumph and a fitting tribute to those lost 100 years ago
Singles Releases
Listen to new tracks from Twin Terrace, Farriers and Fighting With Wire
Devil Mocks Me
Vivid lyrics, catchy hooks and 'a voice that could tame dinosaurs' bode well for Gareth Dunlop
Daniel Johnston
VerseChorusVerse and Cashier No9 bookend a manic performance from one of Kurt Cobain's heroes
Brahms Works for Solo Piano
Barry Douglas is 'in absolutely top form' in his first studio album for over a decade
Felice Brothers
Americana with hip-hop beats and added synths – the brothers get the barmaids singing along
Big World
Paul Casey reflects on the cultural resurgence of his native Derry~Londonderry
Praise Aloud the Trees
Brian Irvine gets the Cultural Olympiad started with a 'wondrous, occasionally frightening' take on Heaney's poem
International Festival of Chamber Music
Technique to die for and sweeping rhapsody, the Belfast Music Society deliver their promise of 'world-class' performances
Broken Deer
Malojian, sans Cat, packs emotional masochism, lost love and simple beauty into his solo EP
David Pomeranz
Scientologist crooner attracts Northern Ireland's Filipino population to the Waterfront – it's as weird as it sounds
The Henry Girls
The talented trio warm up for their Belfast Nashville Songwriters' Festival gig at the Playhouse in Derry~Londonderry
Noel Gallagher
Flying solo suits the older Gallagher brother. Patrick Murphy, and 10,000 others, are away with the birds
The Drifters
No founder members, but plenty of past magic from this humourless foursome
Van Morrison
It's a family affair at the Oydssey Arena, where Van the Man lets his music do the talking
John McGurgan
A fine lyricist and performer, Omagh's answer to John Martyn is best with a band
Snow Patrol
A dedicated crowd get caught up in the emotion 'like their 4x4 keys and gym membership cards depend on it'
NI Opera Young Artists
Four Northern Irish soloists thrive in the intimate surroundings of the Black Box
Sarah Savoy & the Francadians
Fionola Meredith enjoys a healthy helping of Cajun charm
Start a New People
Burgeoning musical ensemble The Jepettos take us on a brief but pleasant journey in sound
New Year Viennese Gala
The Ulster Orchestra recreate some of the 'zap and playfulness' of the original Strauss concerts
Paul Casey
The singer, guitarist and songwriter provides a welcome tonic for the post-Christmas blues
Bentley Bar Christmas Spectacular
A trio of indie acts descend on Derry-Londonderry
Key Releases of 2011
Steven Rainey chooses his top five Northern Irish albums of the year. Agree or disagree?
Arias in Advent
Soprano Rebekah Coffey is more than a match for Mozart's operatic output
Lisa Hannigan
Christmas comes early at the Mandela Hall, as the Irish songstress brings her special blend of quirky festive cheer
Schola Cantorum
A 'timely issue for the Christmas season' from Nigel McClintock's choir
Singles Releases
Overwrought anthems, a love song that's not for 'Barbara' and a 'more-metal-than-thou' EP
Rams' Pocket Radio
Their big sound brings out of the crowds to Sandinos intimate back bar
Electric Six
Electric Six's Dick Valentine might have changed his style, but he is still everything a frontman should be
Satyagraha
A Sanskrit libretto, a cackling chorus and a 20 minute soliloquy 'Live in HD' is 'not better, but usefully different'
Singles Releases
Listen to shiny new tracks from VerseChorusVerse, Morning Claws and Seven Summits
Boots & Bones
More Than Conquerors' 'less urgent and more considered' approach pay dividends
Manowar
If you're not into metal – and can't afford the extortionate cover charge – you're not their friend
Ragas and Reels
A meeting of East and West full of 'dreamy embellishments and flights of fancy'
2011 MTV EMA
Does size matter? Not for the streaker, and not for Belfast – the little city that throws a big party
Northern Ireland Music Awards
AU and Oh Yeah shine a spotlight on indigenous musical talent
Elvis Costello
His committment can't be denied, but a backing band may have made this the gig of the year
KT Tunstall
Perhaps peforming solo wasn't the best idea, but the chanteuse still draws the crowds
Katy Perry
A Californian diva with a sense of humour is a rare thing indeed, but Mrs Brand is anything but orthodox
Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares
Incredible solos and collective power from the famed Bulgarian vocal choir
Festival of the Americas
JoAnn Faletta injects the Ulster Orchestra with a newfound rhythm
Piano Music by Philip Hammond
'Pianistic fireworks' and 'blues inflections' make this birthday celebration CD anything but dry
SINGLES REVIEWS: October 2011
Duelling guitars, rap-metal and the smug optimism of youth
Crosby & Nash
The 60s folk-rockers are still impassioned, unfortunately the same can't be said for their audience
Ulster Orchestra Launch
The Ulster Orchestra's new principal conductor's balletic style gives performances an exciting edge
Ash
Back on home turf, the indie legends give a high-speed performance of their greatest hits
Tassili
Peter McCaughan hears a stripped back sound and a longing for a lifestyle lost on the Malian music collective's fifth album.
Dolly Parton
The Queen of Country goes through the motions on the last stop of her world tour
This Year's Model
Ralph McLean reviews his favourite Elvis Costello album, ahead of his Belfast Festival appearance
Bluegrass Festival
20th year of the annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival in the Ulster American Folk Park
Easy Meat
LaFaro's latest is anything but easy-listening. Is it worth the effort?
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