Focus
History Repeats Itself as British Authorities Get to Decide Who the Terrorists Are
A member of Kneecap has been charged with a terrorism offence, but those in power continue to look away from the deeper crisis, writes Toner Quinn. 
Electric with Life in the Clovery Kingdom
Roger Doyle’s new album, 'We Who Live Under Heaven', released on Nyahh Records, draws inspiration from Joyce’s 'Finnegans Wake' and a letter by Lucia Joyce to her psychiatrist. James Camien McGuiggan reviews. 
Dancing on Either Side of the Veil
Violist Nathan Sherman has just released his first solo album, 'The Gentle Erasure of Time', featuring works for viola and electronics by Jonathan Nangle, Sam Perkin, Linda Buckley, Karin Rehnqvist, Nicole Lizée and Benjamin Broening. Brendan Finan reviews. 
Our Society’s Dark Secrets from Itself: Music Current 2025
The Music Current contemporary music festival took place in Dublin from 22 to 26 April. Brendan Finan reviews the Saturday evening concerts featuring the French group soundinitiative and pianist Małgorzata Walentynowicz. 
The World Can Criticise Kneecap, But They Have Started Something
The controversy surrounding the Irish rap band has obscured deeper questions about power, conflict and resistance, but they won't go away, writes Toner Quinn. 
Making Light Work of Complexity: Fergal Scahill and Ryan Molloy’s 'The Gannet’s Dive'
Fergal Scahill (fiddle) and Ryan Molloy (piano and fiddle) have recently released their fourth album together, 'The Gannet’s Dive', a collection of duets including a range of newly composed tunes. Verena Commins reviews. 
Elevator Music for Political Times
Composer Anselm McDonnell has recently released 'Politics of the Imagination', an album featuring rappers Barrowclough, Joel the Custodian and Kosyne with musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra and Crash Ensemble. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
The Power of New Music
The New Music Dublin festival ended on Sunday (6 April) with concerts from the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Chamber Choir Ireland, Evlana Ensemble, Crash Ensemble, Quiet Music Ensemble, Cór Linn and Cór na nÓg. Brendan Finan reviews. 
Looking for the ‘New’ in New Music Dublin
New Music Dublin last Friday evening featured the world premiere of John Buckley's Clarinet Concerto as well as Ed Bennett’s 'All Earth Once Drowned' featuring Decibel and Cherry Smyth. Adrian Smith reviews. 
Stars and Social Justice Mark Start of New Music Dublin
The 2025 New Music Dublin festival took place last week at the National Concert Hall and various other venues around the city. In the first of our reviews, Brendan Finan writes about the opening concerts on Wednesday and Thursday (2–3 April).