MusicHow to have a number one album: An Irish expert shares his music industry experienceMichael Mary Murphy’s new book hails the managers who have steered U2, Hozier and The Beatles to the top of the chartsBy Tony Clayton-LeaTue Mar 18 2025 - 05:13
MusicNeil Young to follow The Cure’s example in not using ‘bad’ dynamic pricing Young says surge pricing a ‘bad thing that has happened to concerts worldwide’, citing The Cure’s Robert SmithMon Mar 17 2025 - 19:36
Subscriber OnlyThe Slow Road North by Rosie Schaap: A beautiful, unsparing memoir about griefSchaap was 39 when her husband, Frank, died on Valentine’s Day
TV & RadioAdolescence review: A dark and often unbearable insight into the nightmarish extremes of our teenagers’ lives Television: Netflix series starring Stephen Graham doesn’t quite land but forces us to confront bleak facts
MusicKneecap appear to bring missing head of King George V statue on stage during Melbourne gigStatue was beheaded in 2024 during series of anti-colonial acts targeting British memorials
Grind schools create an injustice at the heart of Ireland’s education systemUnthinkable: How fair are the State exams if some students can buy an advantage in the form of specialised tuition?By Joe Humphreys
How to have a number one album: An Irish expert shares his music industry experienceMichael Mary Murphy’s new book hails the managers who have steered U2, Hozier and The Beatles to the top of the chartsBy Tony Clayton-Lea
Neil Young to follow The Cure’s example in not using ‘bad’ dynamic pricing Young says surge pricing a ‘bad thing that has happened to concerts worldwide’, citing The Cure’s Robert Smith
Ethan Iverson at Triskel review: Jazz pianist shows off his harmonic elegance, delicate touch and winningly relaxed mannerCork venue also hosts outstanding quintet led by trombonist, composer and Cork music hero Paul DunleaBy Philip Watson
Steven Wilson: The Overview review – A wonderful album infused with the spirit of Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here By Ed Power
Gracie Abrams in Dublin review: No nepo-baby here. A real star stands before usArmed with an acoustic guitar and her breathy vocals, Abrams proves herself worthy of star statusBy Ella Sloane
Lady Gaga: Mayhem review – An awkward attempt to re-create the magic of Bad Romance and Born This Way By Ed Power
Ludivine Sagnier: ‘This sexy bombshell had nothing to do with who I was. I felt confused’Hollywood came calling after she starred in Swimming Pool but the actor had other ideas By Donald Clarke
Four new films to see this week: Black Bag, Sister Midnight, Opus, The Electric StateSteven Sodergergh’s starry espionage caper is sleek and stylish. Plus an inventive Indian caper, an oddball popstar horror, and a blandly expensive sci-fi bust on NetflixBy Donald Clarke and Tara Brady
Sister Midnight review: An endlessly inventive marriage of perfectly pitched comedy and deranged ambience By Donald Clarke
The Electric State: Netflix gives the Russos $320m and this is all they have to show for it? By Tara Brady
The Slow Road North by Rosie Schaap: A beautiful, unsparing memoir about griefSchaap was 39 when her husband, Frank, died on Valentine’s DayBy Mei Chin
Naoise Dolan on Mary McCarthy’s Memories of a Catholic GirlhoodAs a portrait of an intellectual awakening – this memoir stands as a classic By Naoise Dolan
Adolescence review: A dark and often unbearable insight into the nightmarish extremes of our teenagers’ lives Television: Netflix series starring Stephen Graham doesn’t quite land but forces us to confront bleak factsBy Ed Power
Dancing with the Stars finale: Rhys McClenaghan is ‘in another world’ as he beats Jack Woolley to 2025 Glitterball trophy Television: Jack Woolley also receives two rounds of perfect scores, despite ripping his trousersBy Ed Power
TV guide: the best new shows to watch, starting tonightMarch 15-21: including the new series of Gangs of London, DWTS 2025 final and the St Patrick’s Festival ParadeBy Kevin Courtney
Dancing with the Stars finale: When is it on, who are the front-runners, what dances will feature and moreTelevision: The DWTS final will see four celebrities battle it out for the Glitterball Trophy this weekend - here is everything you need to knowBy Ed Power
The Book of Mormon: ‘We put all of these subversive things into a familiar box for people. And we swear a lot’ Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s hit musical is about to begin a month-long Irish run. It features jokes about FMG, Aids and child abuse but has goodness at its coreBy Deirdre Falvey
Paul Mescal in a Streetcar Named Desire: Known for portrayals of hurting hunks, he is ferocious as Stanley KowalskiIn this revival of Tennessee Williams’s story, Mescal’s half-despised, half-beloved brute has but one decent emotionBy Jesse Green
All Flowers in Time Bend Towards the Sun review: 19 artists united by Flann O’Brien’s avant-garde multiplicityLee Welch and Paul Hallahan’s show exhibits dynamic interplay between impermanence and sensualityBy Tom Lordan
Project Sheela: International Women’s Day art trail highlights Ireland’s ‘open wounds’Anonymous sheela-na-gig artists will reveal a new series of plaques from todayBy Ella Sloane
