Weekly Cork Gig Guide: 7th-12th May 2014

The Handsome Family – Crane Lane (Wednesday)

This Is How We Fly – Triskel (Friday)

Shonen Knife – Crane Lane (Thursday)

Kronos Quartet – Opera House (Sunday)

This week in Cork: The Handsome Family, Kronos Quartet, This Is How We Fly and more..

Never underestimate the power of television. Having visited Cork quite a number of times over the years, never has Leeside been as a-quiver as it has been in recent weeks in anticipation of The Handsome Family‘s early show in The Crane Lane Theatre later this evening. This is mostly due to the worldwide success of HBO cop show True Detective which so fittingly features the Albuquerque duo’s track ‘Far From Any Road’ as its opening theme tune. For more murder ballads and the like, get yourself down to Phoenix Street this evening. For those midweek nightowls out there why not stick around for Brooklyn banjo swashbuckler Morgan O’Kane who plays a midnight show.

It’s back to the same venue on the following night for legendary Japanese punk trio Shonen Knife while Friday night sees the absolutely extraordinary This Is How We Fly play a special show in Triskel Christchurch. Featuring both Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Seán Mac Erlaine, the quartet’s first album featured amongst this blog’s Top 10 Albums of 2013 so this one is an absolute must.

And if I have to limit the following six days down to just another highlight then it has to be the combination of influential San Franciscan string foursome Kronos Quartet (playing and touring since 1973 would you believe) and ambient soundscaper and compatriot Julianna Barwick in Cork Opera House on Sunday evening.

Also going down around town this week:

• Cork duo Yearning Curve launch début record The Murder Machine in Coughlan’s (Thursday)
• Country soul courtesy of Birds of Chicago in Cyprus Avenue (Friday)
• Hypnotic Brass Ensemble in The Savoy (Friday)
• Touring new album The Happiest Man In The World, Hammell on Trial in Cyprus Avenue (Saturday)
• Roots duo Madison Violet in The White Horse (Ballincollig) (Sunday)

For a day-by-day breakdown of gigs taking place in both Cork city and county over the next seven days see below.

Wednesday, 7th May
– The Handsome Family (8pm), Morgan O’Kane Band (11.30pm) in The Crane Lane Theatre
– Generic People’s Improv Night in The Roundy
– Jenn Grant in De Barra’s (Clonakilty)

Thursday, 8th May
– Yearning Curve in Coughlan’s
– Shonen Knife (8.30pm), Crow Black Chicken (11.30pm) in The Crane Lane Theatre
– Earthstar with Alien Angel, Tribal Celt and Tribal Aliens in The Pavilion

Friday, 9th May
– Old Hannah in Coughlan’s
– Birds of Chicago in Cyprus Avenue
– The Hard Ground in The Frisky Whiskey/The Oliver Plunkett
– East End Dubs in The Pavilion
– Hypnotic Brass Ensemble in The Savoy
– This Is How We Fly in Triskel Christchurch

Saturday, 10th May
– Hammell on Trial in Cyprus Avenue
– Saxy Lady Boys in The Pavilion
– Elastic Sleep in Pine Lodge (Myrtleville)

Sunday, 11th May
– Tumbleweed Sessions (6.30pm) in L’Attitude 51
– Kronos Quartet and Julianna Barwick in Cork Opera House
– Lunatic Spoons (11.30pm) in The Crane Lane Theatre
– Sunday Session in The Roundy (6pm)
– Madison Violet in The White Horse (Ballincollig)
– Hammell on Trial in Pine Lodge (Myrtleville)

Monday, 12th May
– Monday Night Music Club in Coughlan’s
– Pearse Halpin & Band (11.30pm) in The Crane Lane Theatre

Upcoming G-Man Presents shows:

7th June – Angel Olsen in Triskel Christchurch Buy tickets here

– For more gigs and dates see the overall gig guide here