Get Up, Stand Up: Here’s Five Whopper Gigs Taking Place This Weekend

evanmusgrave

While the weather is undergoing a dramatic change of identity, we can all take some solace in the fact that Dublin is chugging along nicely with a familiar level of top quality gigs for you to experience.

This week we’ve got a range of hip-hop acts (both a veteran and some experimental up and comers), a little piece of the Caribbean in D1, an exciting new disco project and some cutting-edge modern indie.

Friday

DJ Premier @ Hangar

What a prophetic naming job indeed. DJ Premier is arguably – as in, hardly anyone would argue against it – the best hip-hop producer in the genre. Known for his legendary knack for obscure samples and scratch techniques, his beats typically feature soul/funk elements shrouded in a murky atmosphere, layers of sound bytes and tidbits from films, news reports, and other hip-hop tracks, all arranged in an impossibly head bop-able fashion.

This is a gig that most definitely does not come around often. Check yo’self and make an appearance.

€20

Sim Simma Launch Party @ Wigwam

It’ll take a while to get used to calling the venue on 54 Middle Abbey Street by its new name, but the return of regular Sim Simma nights provides some refreshing continuity, bringing the same high-energy, deftly-mixed tunes and general good vibes enjoyed at the Pepper and wherever else the crew spread their wings.

Once again, the complete package is on offer, comprising of Reggae Yoga, Dancehall Dancing, Capoeira, African Drumming and Afro-Brazilian Turban Workshops alongside monster tunes featuring everything across the reggae-dancehall-cumbia-grime-hip hop spectrum.

Note: Wigwam is operating an over-23s door policy so it mightn’t be a bad idea to bring ID.

€5 (before 10PM)/€10

Saturday

The Underachievers @ District 8

The latest outrageously talented rappers to emerge from the esteemed borough of Brooklyn. These guys land on Irish shores on the back of a hotly-anticipated and well-received sophomore album.

With an excellent back-and-forth chemistry and a left-field mindset, these dudes are stellar performers of atypical hip-hop music, and their early evening show at District 8 is a must if that sort of thing appeals to you.

€20

Ben Pearce & Abstract present: The Sextape Series @ Opium Rooms

Ben Pearce has been on the rise and rise for several years, renowned for his skills behind the decks and his extraordinary ability to come up with immensely soulful house tracks. This is a new project from the DJ/producer – a night inspired by a series of free mix tapes brought out within the last year.

These specific nights see Ben playing extended funk-infused sets across a range of carefully chosen intimate venues. If you’re in the mood for some srsly lush tunes delivered by a rising star, get on down to the Camden Street venue this Saturday.

€12.50/€15

Sunday

Titus Andronicus @ Whelans

With ten years of recording, touring and all the highs and lows that come with it, Titus Andronicus return with a stunning new album and worldwide tour. This show is probably not for the faint hearted. Frontman Patrick Stickles has called the album a “complicated metaphor about manic depression, melding elements of philosophy, psychology, and science fiction through the plight of one troubled protagonist’s inner demons”.

This is art-punk rock at its finest and fantastic chance to see a big band play in a very intimate space on your doorstep.