Keaton Henson
The cult of the “reclusive artist” is in retreat, with plummeting record sales impelling even the shyest musicians out of their garrets to sing publicly for their supper. But financial imperatives do not seem to have swayed introverted folkie Keaton Henson, an irregular live performer who makes little secret of his terror of the spotlight.
A bearded stick insect in a faded suit, Henson is the perfect pitchman for music that is romantically bedraggled, dank at the edges, and strip-lit with melancholy. Crouched in semi darkness and flanked by cellist Ren Ford and the 10-piece Crash Ensemble, the 27-year-old Londoner sings softly yet with an unexpected American twang. Keaton has been compared to Jeff Buckley and Bon Iver, and his croon feels derivative of both, which breaks the spell of his keening dirges.
More successful, at his NCH gig last weekend, were excerpts from all-instrumental new album Romantic Works. Built on sorrowful piano motifs Earnestly Yours and Elevator Song were brittle contradictions, swirling with emotion yet with a chilling stillness at the centre. As applause rained down, Keaton ventured a ghostly half-bow. Perhaps it was a trick of the light, but he almost appeared to be enjoying himself.
National Concert Hall, Dublin, August 15
ROCK/POP
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BELFAST
■ Tyler, the Creator: Los Angeles rapper.
Limelight, Tue 7pm, £22 0844 277 4455;
Academy, Dublin, Wed 7.30pm, €25.50 0818 719 300
■ Gojira: French heavy metal band.
Limelight, Thu 7pm, £19.50 0844 277 4455;
Academy, Dublin, Fri 7pm, €22.50 0818 719 300
■ Eric Martin: With the Grainne Duffy Band.
Voodoo, Thu 8pm, £16 0844 277 4455;
Workman’s Club, Dublin, Fri 8pm, €22.50 0818 719 300
DOWN
■ Van Morrison: Belfast singer-songwriter.
Slieve Donard hotel, Newcastle, today-Mon 6pm, £225-£300 0844 277 4455
DUBLIN
■ Marcelo D2: Brazilian rap artist.
Academy, today 6pm, €22 0818 719 300
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■ Helena Byrne And Enda Reilly.
Whelan’s, upstairs, today 8pm, €10-€12 1890 200 078
■ Mini Mansions: Californian indie-pop outfit.
Workman’s Club, Mon 8pm, €15 0818 719 300
■ Richard Richard And Hot Cops.
Whelan’s, upstairs, Thu 8pm, €5 1890 200 078
■ Wand: Los Angeles psych-rock band.
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■ Sufjan Stevens: Detroit indie folk singer.
Helix, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, €40.05-€50.65 0818 719 300
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■ John Prine: American country singer.
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■ Ryan Sheridan: Monaghan rock singer.
Whelan’s, Fri 8pm, €20 0818 719 300
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■ Brendan Shine, Mike Denver, Red Hurley: Athlone stalwart, country singer & Dublin easy-listening singer.
INEC, Killarney, Tue-Thur 9.30pm, €15 0818 719 300
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CLASSICAL
DUBLIN
■ RTE CO Summer Lunchtime Concert: Pieces by Schumann, Sibelius and other composers.
NCH, Tue 1.05pm, €12 01 417 0000
■ Eoin Flood: Classical guitarist.
NCH, John Field Room, Tue 8pm, €10-€15 01 417 0000
■ Tchaikovsky Seasons/Scriaban Sonata No 3: Performed by pianist Anna Kiselyova.
NCH, John Field Room, Wed 8pm, €10-€12 01 417 0000
■ Ensemble Avalon: Irish chamber music trio.
NCH, John Field Room, Thu 1.05pm, €10-€15 01 417 0000
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■ Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra: Works by Mendelssohn, Stravinsky and Svendsen.
NCH, Fri 8pm, €27.50-€65 01 417 0000
■ RTE Concert Orchestra - Brief Encounter: Film score concert.
NCH, Sat 8pm, €13.50-€39.50 01 417 0000
JAZZ
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■ Roswell 56: Featuring Dick Farrelly on guitar and vocals.
JJ Smyth’s, Sat 9pm, €10 01 475 2565
FOLK
KERRY
■ Christy Moore: Kildare folk and trad veteran.
Ballyroe Heights hotel, Tralee, Fri 8pm, €35 0818 719 300
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■ Marcel Dettmann: German DJ.
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■ Dubfire: American-Iranian house DJ.
Button Factory, Fri 11pm, €17.85 0818 719 300
■ Peanut Butter Wolf: San Jose hip-hop producer.
Sugar Club, Sat 8pm, €14.85 0818 719 300
■ A Guy Called Gerald: Manchester artist.
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GALWAY
■ Strange Brew: With Gugai.
Roisin Dubh, Thu 11.30pm 091 586 540
FESTIVAL
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■ Belsonic: Including Hozier, Bastille and All Time Low.
Custom House Square, Mon-Wed 6pm, €27.50-€46.50 0844 277 4455
■ Tennant’s Vital: Featuring Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding and others.
Boucher Playing Fields, Sat 4pm, €49 0844 277 4455
CORK
■ Masters of Tradition: Traditional music showcase featuring Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill.
Bantry House, today 7.30pm, €19-€40 027 527 88
DUBLIN
■ Proms on the Pier: Including Midge Ure and 10cc.
Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Sat 4.30pm, €49.50-€69.50 0818 719 300