Stories, interviews and reflections from Cork’s live music scene – written from the musicians’ side of the stage.
Welcome to the first edition of Backline Live Dispatch — a space for writing about live music, local bands, original songs, gigs, rooms, audiences and the scenes being built outside the usual channels.
Anatomy Of A Gig
We put on our first ever gig July 4th with 3 Cork artists, performing original music and different genres: Rap Rock, alternative, blues-rock. This is what happened and here is my reflection on the whole experience – post gig!
Why Every Intermediate Guitar Player Should Spend Six Months Playing Bass
Learning bass wasn’t supposed to improve my guitar playing, but it did. It changed my timing, strengthened my fingers and made me hear songs differently—and I think six months of playing bass could do the same for many intermediate guitarists.
Four Acts One Town, One Question
Can live music and original music find a bigger home outside the usual city venues?
July 4th, Backline Live is testing whether towns like Midleton, Cork can become part of the live music scene.
The Gigging Trap – A Very Vicious Cycle
Musicians need gigs for many reasons. But how can they get gigs if they are not yet known?
Why live stages matter for musicians, perhaps even more than before, and why getting onto them can be so difficult.
Hag Roast Carry the Weight Well
A Cork band, a difficult catalogue, and what it means to carry heavy, iconic songs well.
A reflection on Hag Roast’s Fred Zeppelin’s gig. Alice in Chains, songwriting, musicianship and the art of covering difficult music with respect.
A Night In The Room
A short reflection from David Punch and Kevin Walsh’s fundraiser at The Kino, with Erin Gallagher supporting — a night of strong songs, humour, musicianship and audience warmth.
Live music does not need to be huge to be meaningful.
