Press Book

from 01.03.2015 to 31.03.2015

Copyright Material. This may only be copied under the terms of a Newspaper Licensing agreement (www.newspaperlicensing.ie) or written publisher permission. -2-

Table of Contents

06/03/2015 Irish Times: The Gloaming scoops top prize at Meteor Choice Awards...... 3 09/03/2015 : The SMALL BUSINESS...... 4 28/03/2015 Limerick Leader Sat City-Leader 2: Two is company as Limerick's top crooners take to the stage...... 5 28/03/2015 Limerick Leader Saturday County-Leader 2: Two is company as Limerick's top crooners take to the stage...... 7 02/03/2015 - National Edition: > CHRIS WASSER...... 8

Copyright Material. This may only be copied under the terms of a Newspaper Licensing Ireland agreement (www.newspaperlicensing.ie) or written publisher permission. -3- Irish Times* Circulation: 82059 Friday, 6 March 2015 Area of Clip: 9700mm² Page: 11 Page 1 of 1

Briefs Music TheGloaming scoops top prize at MeteorChoice Awards The Gloaming last night won the Meteor Choice Music Prize for best Irish album of 2014 with their eponymous record The Gloaming. The judging panel, made up of Irish music media professionals, “deliberated at length” before choosing the winning album. The Gloaming: Winners of The Gloaming, a contemporary-traditionalthe Meteor Choice Music Prize Irish group formed in 2011and made up fantastic response as fans got of Martin Hayes, Iarla 6 behind their favourite song,” Lionaird, Caoimhin 0 said the organisers. Raghallaigh, Dennis Cahill The Gloaming will receive and Thomas Bartlett, is on a cheque for €10,000 and a tour in Australia. prize which has been provided The winner of the Irish by the Irish Music Rights Song of the Year was also Organisation and the Irish announced, with Recorded Music Association, claiming the prize for their as well as a specially commissioned song Superheroes. award. This award was decided by The sold-out event in Vicar the public via the Meteor Street, was hosted by website. “There was a T oday FM’s Paul McLoone. -4- Irish Examiner* Circulation: 37009 Monday, 9 March 2015 Area of Clip: 41900mm² Page: 18 Page 1 of 1

TheSMALL BUSINESS COLUMN with Kehlan Kirwan

irishexaminer.com/business

In this week's column, Kehlan Kirwan looks at why skills are the next hurdle for the economy, and not jobs

For this week's Q&A Positive news in recent apprenticeships are barely Kehlan Kirwan talks with weeks has seen Ireland creeping into double look with greater enthusiasm figures. Victor Finn, CEO of IMRO. towards the future. That’s double figures for The Irish Music Rights Unemployment has the entire country. Highly Organisation recently started to come down and skilled work in areas like announced that music is it looks like we may hit 9% electrics, joinery, carpentry worth €470m to the by the end of this year. and other such skills economy. Victor talks to However, Ireland’s issue have been allowed to Kehlan about the with unskilled workers is dwindle and fall by the importance of music to one which is quickly wayside. Unpopular by the economy and how it becoming apparent. word of mouth, unpopular impacts different Victor Finn: Revenue must go We have invested a lot of by way of uptake. to artists and writers. time and effort in encouraging Universities are producing markets. the businesses of the new graduates, but the future to start-up here, of gap between what they are course we’ve done the providing and what industries How is the music recovered somewhat. same thing with foreign need is still large. industry worth so much to We’re also seeing a fairly companies coming into the The interaction between the economy? major shift in digital revenues country. business and third level » Well the research, as well. More people While we have been very needs to increase for all which was undertaken by are accessing streaming good in doing this, we have industries not just the tech Deloitte, showed music is services like Spotify and not backed it up with providingor engineering markets. contributing annually we’re seeing a corresponding the skilled workers Those issues are largely over €470m to the economy. drop in the amount of to carry it on. A hangover targeted towards 18- to 25year-olds. That’s despite the downloads. from the Celtic Tiger days What has happened fact that recorded revenues So we need to make sure and one in which we have to provisions for have fallen significantlythat revenue that goes to not got over. Jobsbridge those aged 30 to 45? How over the past five to compensate music writers and Fas do not have the have we retooled them for seven years, falling from and artists is at a sufficient tonic suited for this. a new economy? We €72m to €33m. level that consistently Public service solutions haven’t. Recorded revenues are attracts young people into to private enterprise problems The focus has largely those which include CD the industry. rarely work. Skilled been on a younger generation. sales, downloads, streaming workers are key for any Meanwhile, a group and all the other forms Where do music makers of how people consume and writers make money economy. of people who still have a They provide a solid huge amount to offer have music. So is this impact from the likes of Spotify? coming more in the live gig >> There two elements to base for which drive the been told upskill or lose the likes of Spotify and economy forward, but out. / concert side of music? With no cohesive plan Live music is worth significantlystreaming services. One is they also mean higher more than the where there is a subscription wages and better work on how to do that, we are recorded music side of the models where subscribers conditions. in danger of sidelining yet industry. pay a monthly fee These higher wages another age group on this Recorded music is worth to listen to the service. provide more value to the issue. Ireland’s hurdle for €33-34m annually, however There is a reasonable exchequer. Spending a better economy now lies live music is probably amount of income coming power increases and a with providing the skills hitting the€100m mark. So into the industry from this ripple effect happens in for jobs available. it’s a far more significant model. This income is then the economy. It’s great news announcing player for the music split up using the licensing So skilled workers must jobs here and there economy. services like that from the become a major priority in around the country, but So when we talk about the IMRO. the next few years. We what you won’t hear is overall sum we’re talking The second stream is on ad have also set a dangerous how long it takes to fill how the music industry supported services where precedent with those jobs or how many of impacts directly and indirectlythe service is free to use Jobsbridge. them get advertised overseas on other industries and the music providers It has opened the door to to find the right candidate. as well as the music industry get much less revenue internship like programmes itself. So for example from these types of services. which match Ireland’s next big challenge radio stations obviously So the premium services that of the likes of the US is not in providing need music as part of their which the likes of and the UK. The onus is on jobs, but in providing the offering to listeners. Spotify offer, are really paying more than qualified skilled workers to fill So those radio stations where the music industry people to do the same them. then generate revenue wants the consumer to be. job as somebody earning a We’ve shown that Ireland through advertising etc. real wage for peanuts. is the right place to Has become easier or There have been some have business, but have And how is digital effecting harder to make a living in success stories from the not shown it the right the music industry? the music industry? programme, but they are place for skills provision. » Digital makes up » Well, there has certainly few and far between. You can announce all slightly more than half of been more money Apprenticeships are also a the jobs you like, but if you total revenues in the taken out of the industry major problem. The don’t have the workers to recorded music space. in the past numbers of association with the fill them then you’re still The physical markets in years of that there is no building boom means that at square one. the last 18 months has doubt. -5- Limerick Leader Sat City-Leader 2* Circulation: 14851 Saturday, 28 March 2015 Area of Clip: 48500mm² Page: 5 Page 1 of 2

Twois company as Limerick’s topcrooners take to the stage LiamO’Brien and Brian McCann come together for Dolan's show POPULAR Limerick will be a winning formula West End with touring show explained. entertainer and actor Liam that might end up as a hit The Rat Pack - Live from Tickets for the 90 O’Brien will welcome home internationally. Las Vegas, which played at minute show, which will be old friend and West End “Limerick has such London’sfamous Palladium. recorded on the night, are star Brian McCann for a an incredible history of He said: “Performing in available at www.dolans.ie special show in Dolan’s this successful singers who Limerick is always close or by calling 061314483. Saturday night. work abroad, but it’s always to my heart, and to have Two’sCompany, featuring such a pleasure to have the the opportunity to bring the duo singing a diverse opportunity to perform Brian back for this brand range of songs with West at home,” said McCann, new concept is incredibly End based musical director who has played the lead in exciting. James Doughty overseeing The Phantom of the Opera “To debut the show at proceedings, takes to the and appeared in shows including The Rocky Horror Ireland’s recently voted stage in the Warehouse this number one venue in Saturday. Show, Tommy, We Will Rock You and Jerry Springer: The Dolan’s is the icing on the Liam, who marked ten cake,” he added, a reference years of the extremely Opera over the course of his to Dolan’s taking home the popular Crooning at storied West End career. IMRO venue of the year Christmas shows in “Liam is an old friend, award in February. December, will be joined and we plan on having a by Limerick’s own McCann, lot of fun on this show, and Doughty has created currently on tour in the UK promise the home crowd beautiful arrangements of with West End hit musical will too,” he added. classic songs such as You’ve Wicked. O’Brien, a founder Lost That Loving Feeling, Brian will be taking a member of Bottom Dog Bridge Over Troubled Water week off from the show to Theatre Company and and Yesterday and the pop home to Limerick in former Emmerdale star, has show will also feature some what the duo clearly hope also plied his trade on the wonderful surprises, Liam -6- Limerick Leader Sat City-Leader 2* Circulation: 14851 Saturday, 28 March 2015 Area of Clip: 48500mm² Page: 5 Page 2 of 2 -7- Limerick Leader Saturday County-Leader 2* Circulation: 19034 Saturday, 28 March 2015 Area of Clip: 52300mm² Page: 5 Page 1 of 1

LiamO’Brien and Brian McCann come together for Dolan's show Twois company asLimerick’s topcrooners take to the stage POPULAR Limerick entertainer and actor Liam O’Brien will welcome home old friend and West End star Brian McCann for a special show in Dolan’s this Saturday night. Two’sCompany, featuring the duo singing a diverse range of songs with West End based musical director James Doughty overseeing proceedings, takes to the stage in the Warehouse this Saturday. Liam, who marked ten years of the extremely popular Crooning at Christmas. shows in December, will be joined by Limerick’s own McCann, currently on tour in the UK with West End hit musical Wicked. Brian will be taking a week off from the show to pop home to Limerick in what the duo clearly hope will be a winning formula that might end up as a hit internationally. “Limerick has such an incredible history of successful singers who work abroad, but it’s always such a pleasure to have the opportunity to perform at home,” said McCann, who has played the lead in The Phantom of the Opera and appeared in shows including The Rocky Horror Show, Tommy, We Will Rock You and Jerry Springer: The Opera over the course of his storied West End career. “Liam is an old friend, and we plan on having a lot of fun on this show, and promise the home crowd will too,” he added. Crooning in March: Liam O'Brien will be joined on stage by fellow Limerick man and West End star Brian McCann this Saturday for O’Brien, a founder Two's Company, a new show featuring the duo that will run on the Dolan's Warehouse stage member of Bottom Dog Theatre Company and Limerick is always close Ireland’s recently voted Doughty has created wonderful surprises, Liam former Emmerdale star, has to my heart, and to have number one venue in beautiful arrangements of explained. also plied his trade on the the opportunity to bring Dolan’s is the icing on the classic songs such as You’ve Tickets for the 90 West End with touring show Brian back for this brand cake,” he added, a reference Lost That Loving Feeling, minute show, which will be The Rat Pack - Live from new concept is incredibly to Dolan’s taking home the Bridge Over Troubled Water recorded on the night, are Las Vegas, which played at exciting. IMRO venue of the year and Yesterday and the available at www.dolans.ie London’s famous Palladium. “To debut the show at award in February. show will also feature some or by calling 061314483. He said: “Performing in -8- The Herald - National Edition* Circulation: 56119 Monday, 2 March 2015 Area of Clip: 18300mm² Page: 28 Page 1 of 1

PREVIEW

CHOICE MUSIC PRIZE 2015

VICAR STREET > CHRIS WASSER

ACCORDINGto Paddy Power, young Andrew -Byrne is the 7/4 favourite to walk away with the Meteor Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year this Thursday at Vicar Street. You could always stick a cheeky tenner on , though, for Songs of Innocence. What, 16/1 odds? Hmmm, stranger Hozier’s odds look good things have happened. The Choice awards rarely, if ever, tinues to spread its wings, end with the bookies’ favourite nominating indie favourites making a speech. (the sublime You know the drill. Ten and We Cut Corners are albums, a dozen judges and a on this year’s shortlist), cheque for €10,000 courtesy folk heavyweights (James of the Irish Music Rights Vincent McMorrow and the Organisation (IMRO) and the aforementioned Hozier), Irish Recorded Music Associationcelebrated trad and rock (IRMA). ensembles (The Gloaming And let’s not forget the and The Riptide Movement) second, smaller prize for and electronic maestros (we Irish Song of the Year (the still can’t believe that British public decides that one - we button-pusher Aphex imagine Kodaline or The Twin was actually born in Coronas will win this). Limerick). Going on form it's impossible to say who’ll win. ODDS Funny how, in 2015, with the live event sold out weeks That’s a fine shortlist, if you in advance (always encouraging ask us. Will Damo, U2 and given that, in previous Sinead show their faces on years, the Choice often resembledThursday? more of an industry Anything could happen, bash for industry folks), we but what we do know is still have the usual huffing that Delorentos, the Riptide and puffing online about who Movement, We Cut Corners ‘deserves’ to be nominated, and the McMorrow lad will the problems with ‘mainstream’ definitely be plugging in acts and who could their guitars for a sing-song. do with the cash. As will song-of-the-year Newsflash - this isn’t a nominees Little Hours, Kormac charity. Yes, Bono and the and the Minutes (we boys were nominated this love that band). Oh, and my year. So, too, were Sinead money is on the Gloaming O’Connor and , to win the Big Prize. Come neither of whom appears to on, EVERYBODYloved that be stuck for change. album. 5/1 odds, people Maybe one day, someone you could do worse than will take it upon themselves stick a score on Martin to kick-start a hipster-driven Hayes and chums. Best of alternative to reward the luck, everyone. best Irish album you’ve never heard of. Until then, the Choice con- The Choice live event is sold out