Viva Morrissey – Based in the Holy City of Manchester, Morrissey’s birthplace, and home of his former band The Smiths, Viva Morrissey are highly regarded for the authenticity and accuracy that they bring to their performance.  Viva Morrissey’s concerts are based on Morrissey’s present-day solo shows, which makes their live shows markedly different from those of tributes to The Smiths.  2024 sees the 20th anniversary of the release of Morrissey’s most successful album ‘You Are The Quarry’, and to mark the occasion Viva Morrissey will be playing the full album in its original running order, followed by a selection of the best loved songs of The Smiths and Morrissey.

Kick Down The Doors and Bugbear Presents- Palmolive at RNR Book Club – Paloma Romero McLardy’s soon come hotly anticipated memoir ‘Punk’s Palmolive – Fighting Dragons in the Land of Concrete’ must be one of the most eagerly anticipated punk diaspora books for many a year. Just when you thought the school of ‘76 literature had been exhausted, here’s a major player with a fascinating tale to tell, spanning Franco’s Spain, her life with the pre Clash Joe Strummer, the highs and lows of punk rock UK, and so much more, and along the way shaping one of the most influential, idiosyncratic and balls out daring of punk era outfits, the no balls, no bullshit genius that was The Slits. Not to mention her pivotal role with post punk game changers The Raincoats… In conversation exclusively with Tony Bugbear at the Dublin Castle RnR Book Club tonite ahead of a Rebellion Festival Literary Stage assignation, also presented by Kick Down The Doors PR, we are very pleased to welcome Palmolive to our stage to discuss her forthcoming book, and explore a life at the Cutting edge of music, culture and seismic societal change. Palmolive will also be presenting a fascinating PowerPoint as part of this evening’s entertainment, and talking about her experiences, reading some of the examples from the book. Also, notable is that not only will Gina Birch be there, adding to the programme (see below) but also Ana, & Shirley from the Raincoats and Tessa from the Slits will all be in the house. Palm Olive’s former partner in The Raincoats Gina Birch, a legendary post punk era figure for sure, will also be with us this afternoon as guest DJ, spinning some suitably spiky and on point tuneage. NB This is a matinee event. Doors 2pm

Deft Left Hand –    part nineties flavoured indie, part classic rock-  elements of Primals , Blondie, Sleeper, Transmission Vamp. Versatile too. Their music also spans 1980s indie and gets agreeably  jangly, even a tad folky.   Two Tree Island –  Sounding not unlike eighties post punk futurists A Flock Of Seagulls… thinking of their prominent synth and jaunty, punchy eye liner rock performances. There could also be a Chameleons influence via all the harder edged 80s synth oriented pop/rock. And something of The Killers. Good stuff. Ryan Van Dordrecht – A series of free-wheeling studio sessions for Ryan Van Dordrecht’s debut record, Undone—out digitally and on vinyl January 2024—made for a happy accident album he didn’t envision. The 10-song collection is a finely-crafted, 1970s-indie soul Americana. It finds Ryan, a talented multi-instrumentalist, supported by a carefully-curated collection of Wrecking Crew-level musicians. “Undone is the kind of thing that happens in your personal and creative lives when you stop trying to control everything,” the Portland, Oregon-based artist details. “I had to come to a new level of maturity to make this record. It is a combination of sounds and people that I love, and it is meant to be a celebration of the idea of coming undone and letting go of control. “ Check it out for yourself tonight. Sammy Vincent – and to open proceedings tonite, a far more British kind of roots troubadour! Interesting that Sammy V has played with The Libertines and Hal Baker as he sounds very much like a blend of both. Frank Turner also springs to mind. Very good too, poetic verbals expressed in a full on, confident manner. Full band. Already some excellent tracks available on streaming services and he has got an EP coming out called Regents in a few months.

Dog Food is the moniker of Hertfordshire musicians Brad Palmer and Will Crane. The pair spent years playing together as a rhythm section for various bands until the pandemic of 2020 encouraged them to pursue their original material in a more serious manner. Kindred musical spirits, both write songs that are melodically memorable, harmonically interesting and rhythmically unpredictable. With their novel take on the Indie Rock schtick garnering support from the likes of Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music), John Kennedy (Radio X) and BBC Introducing, the entirely self-sufficient duo steer their sound from Dracula Rock to Indie Fondue in the blink of an eye. The Heat Inc. are London’s loudest Rock ‘n’ Roll band. With a sound that draws from the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Stooges, and The Doors, combined with a rhythm section built to un-tune the sky, this isn’t just music to annoy the neighbours with. It’s the reason electricity was invented. Doublethink are a Manchester based four piece inspired by the classics of The Kinks, The Beatles, VU, and David Bowie mixed with modern alternative sounds of the 90s with Blur and Radiohead. They currently have four singles out on Spotify with one reaching over 32,000 plays with their most recent reaching over 22,000 streams with plays from major radio stations such as the BBC. Doublethink have been building up a nice following in Manchester since last summer when they started out. They recently played a headline show at The Castle Hotel where they sold out in advance as well as the Eagle Inn where they packed out the room. After conquering Manchester, the lads head to the capital for their debut at the famous Dublin Castle. The Macs are a four piece indie rock band from the coastal city of Portsmouth. Fronted by singer songwriter Tommy Mac, the band are bound to bring together people from all age brackets and backgrounds to the middle of sticky floors around the country. These boys will make sure you leave without voice and a new band to follow! The Macs take influence from the late 2000s UK indie era such as the likes of Jamie T, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys etc.

Grace Solero – Grace herself is the frontline talent, with her solid, siren singing, and the guitars fly with a fabulous fluidity…it’s all heartfelt and hair tingling, and with the songcraft to match. Some Zep/Soundgarden nuances and a hard hitting rhythm section make for a top rock performance. Autumn Killers – terrific techy electro rock 3 piece from Wales. And if you want a grounding in kick ass rock with a electro aspect you’re definitely in expert hands. One of them plays in Gary Numan’s regular touring band. The Pleasure Principle. Happy Neighbours – Highly accomplished Summery indie pop with a Pete Perrett/Shelley vocal and a nice breezy Smiths cum Teenage Fanclub vibe to the music. Jangle with sass.

The Skapones – now celebrating their eleventh year of giving their eager audience a reet skanking pleasure… a ska band who play hard-hitting and exceedingly sassy Specials, Beat influenced originals as well as occasional classics and left of centre enigmatic covers…a punky reggae tease all the way from..The Tees… as in Tyne Tees, these effortlessly Bonny Lads are leading lights in the Specialized Project, a wonderful phenomenon that raises money for Teenage Cancer Trust & Youth Music UK, a subject which we know is very close to frontman Paul Willo’s big heart. Guaranteed night of skanking joy with your social conscience properly adjusted too. Natural Right – gave us a lot of pleasure last time they niced up the Bubblin’ Dublin Castle… pop reggae, soul and ska with some left centre indie nuances and an infectious easy going vibe. Lovely. DJs We Got Killers give you the tunes to keep the Dublin Bubblin’ til 2am. 

Nick Shane – “Undoubtebly one of the country’s best songwriters” – Nick Shane is a UK Mod/Punk/Indie singer-songwriter based in Scotland with singles and albums dating back up to the past ten years, covering a wide range of Acoustic/Soulful/Singer-Songwriter genres, showcasing old and new material in the Dublin Castle tonight. The Desert Plaza think Nothing But Thieves, Catfish & The Bottlemen, and The Amazons, groovy, energised indie rock. WIRD are a four-piece grunge band located in London that delivers a good mix between heavy grunge and alternative rock.

RAMCache – Super Catchy, r n b based garage rock with elements of power pop and pre-punk pub rock, Eddie And The Hot Rods, Count Bishops, Feelgoods…  Callumn   – seriously rocky blues with a bit of rap. Got the Open Mic Monday jumping with joy last time around!

Rocky’s Cuffs – Fiery grunge groove rock played by a young 3 piece, who add a bit of an Alex Turner twang for some indie pop charm amidst the riffola. Lost In Town –  Highly accomplished rock/pop with crooned vocals and moody guitars and low key, love lorn songs that zip off into cool slacker rock instrumental passages. Pretty darn good.

Martin Atkins – In his element tonight, Martin Atkins will be showing slides and telling stories. Guaranteed  to entertain, educate and inform, Martin will take questions, meet the crowd and sell merch tonight, with his remarkable career constituting a wealth of material for his eloquent performance. Martin is the definition of entrepreneurial activity in cultural arts endeavors, his 40+ years in the music business spans across genres, borders and industries. He was a member of Public Image Ltd and Killing Joke. He founded industrial super group Pigface, The Damage Manual, and Murder Inc., and has contributed to Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. He is the owner of Invisible Records (est. 1988). And founder of the Museum Of Post Punk and Industrial Music in Chicago (2021) He is the author of 3 books on the Music Business inc Tour:Smart, and the coordinator of Music Industry Studies at Millikin University in Decatur IL.  Martin is a producer, drummer, documentary filmmaker, bad ass DJ, and father of four. Whatever the future of music is, you can pretty much bet that he’ll be in the middle of it. ‘A natural storyteller, with a keen sense of timing. Spot on, engaging and entertaining – I wish I’d had a tape recorder’ – Tony Paris…  NB Martin will be on stage 7.30 to 9.30 tonight. Followed by…  The Del Strangesmith Inexperience –  from the fine institution that is Peter and the Test Tube Babies comes Mr Stranglesmith and co., who tellingly indicate The Ramones as how to do punk rock. As Joey said, it’s about joy. The No Name – Chinese punk band, over in the UK for Rebellion Festival and turning heads with their unique take on the genre. With twenty years of service under their bullet belts these guys perform a blistering blend of old school UK punk, punk pop and skater punk.

The Dirty Strangers–  if you don’t know by now the relationship to Britain’s biggest band (Keith and Ronnie especially) with this legendary London rock roll band then it’s time to get from under that Rolling Stone and take notice of Dirty Al and co. Lots of Stones influences for sure but the Strangers put a great pop sensibility into their blues, and administer growly rocknroll with a hint of punk and a nod to power pop. Excellent band. Sure to be a great party. Soho Dukes – “World renowned, critically acclaimed, electrically powered, rascally rock and roll”…wouldn’t disagree there! The perfect accompaniment for yer Dirty Strangers too. Pelikan Rouge – Hard rock and fizzy commercial pop melded together beautifully. A nice straight down the middle melodic vocal that has more of a new wave vibe, so it’s a bit of an enigmatic mix, but truly works well, and they’re all really good players. From Ayr, Scotland. Please give them a big Dublin Castle welcome tonight.

The Ukrainians – supported early doors by DJ John Peel, natch, these guys were always far, far more than a Wedding Present offshoot. Now 33 years since their inception, The Ukrainians were undoubtedly the first band to fuse punky indie rock and Ukrainian folk music. Peel’s listenership took them to their hearts immediately, and we’ve been doing so ever since, through a multitude of cool gigs and fascinating releases, from an E.P of Smiths songs to a fabulous cover of Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody. Although we might not get that one in August… For this afternoon’s RNR Book Club special event we celebrate the advent of  The Ukrainians’ book ‘From Kyiv to the Kosmos‘ coming out thru Spenwood Books. From those early origins with The Wedding Present and John Peel, thousands of gigs around the world and 8 studio albums… Surviving Canadian bears, the Russian Mafia and even getting their music onto the Space Station, a great read no doubt, and thus expect an event full of  titillating tales and amazing acoustic songs with Peter Solowka, Len Liggins and co. With illustrative projections, an interview with Tony Gleed, Q and A, related DJ action and two sets of their sensational music, this is a must attend happening for any savvy music fan and committed Internationalist! Slava Ukraini!!

Camden Resurrection Presents LION MACHINE

Bones Ate Arfa – Cosmic and kooky but kool indie rock with some neo psychedelic touches… think Dandy Warhols, Blur, SFA…interesting band full of great ideas. Mofgy – Mixing up a little bit of that post Libertines/Babyshambles twinkly narco pop indieness with some brutal lofi punkery. Fury and frenzy aplenty, interesting sounds and a narrative that’s London Town des nos jours guv. Like it. Gum Disease – excellent confrontational, wasp nest poking Queercore punk rock. Sharp social, sardonic appraisals and Spiral Scratch guitars. Groovy.  My Best Unbeaten Brother-   is a Croydon-based trio featuring Ben and Adam Parker, the two brothers behind such groups as Nosferatu D2 / The Superman Revenge Squad / Tempertwig. Joined by another Ben, they play frenetic and adventurous indie rock that is fun and instantly appealing. “Slayer on a Sunny Day” is their first track, out now.

Filth Circus –   From the beautiful Sun kissed beaches of Bournemouth come an alt rock powerhouse with grinding grooves.  Kings Foil— rock and funk, fitfully fused for full on fun.  Hopfrog – Hailing from the  mean streets of nearby Kilburn, Hopfrog bring shimmering guitars and an indie vibe. With influences ranging from Nirvana and Green Day to bands like Nothing but Thieves they bring a raw energy as they carve out their sonic landscape. Vocally comparisons to Courtney Love and  Ellie Rowsell have been drawn… The Headless Way – grungy pop with ace, anthemic choruses, decidedly hooky, with shades of Nirvana and a commercial potential for sure.

Blatoidea – premier exponents of 1980s style punk rock from the Blitz/GBH school of misrule are back in the Dublin Castle! And they’ve curated a sensational night of punk smarts for us…“Blatoidea is very proud to present the release of their 4th studio album “Outbreak” out on Katabomb Records with a Great Punk Rock launch Party at the one and only Dublin Castle in Camden Town!!  With some quality bands as special guests:  Jawless – imagine Amyl and the Sniffers got conscripted into a hardcore punk unit of military precision. That attacking monster is Jawless. Female to the fore punk glory. Fantazmaz – female fronted again. Brilliant metal informed righteous thrash with nigh on progressive touches. Rock hard. Rats Nest – displaying some subtle pop punk elements, but lots of ratty bile and tood so it never gets too sweet to digest. Great ramalama. 

The Men From Another World –  ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if you could be a better Cyborg’ muses Lord Numb in his new post alien nation concept rock noir combo…so, futurist dystopian grooves are very much the thang with a certain Wire, Bowie, Magazine like post punk feel via some big power chord guitar. Great stuff. Square Dance Caller-Is the genre-defying brainchild of Australian brothers and songwriters, Brendan and Michael Etherington. A nod to their late grandfather’s tenure as a real-life Square Dance Caller, the band draws inspiration from outfits Arctic Monkeys, The Clash and Gorillaz. Status Complicated – Epic alt rock with a prog undertow that put me in mind of Mars Volta although could easily suddenly sashay off into a dark neo metal setting. Chunky. Holding Poison – rock/pop duo with a lot going on for 2 chaps. Melodic altness is the order of the day. Named after a song by Foo Fighters, natch.

Two of Europe’s leading tributes are coming together to bring the U.K the tour that never happened! Rage against the machine & Beastie Boys …With an added little extra of a newly formed Cypress Hill thrown into the mix. This line up has never been seen before and promises to be a great night for ALternorock, Rap & Hip hop lovers all around. The Machine Rages On have established themselves as the top tribute to Rage Against The Machine over the last 8 years! After sold out shows in Europe this summer the band have set their sights on an even bigger tour for 2024! Aswell as it being the 25th Anniversary of The battle of Los Angeles it would have also been the 25th anniversary of this mega multi band tour that never came to fruition, sadly… Beast Decoys have also quickly established themselves as one of the UK’s leading tributes, as an ode to one of the greatest hip hop acts to grace the scene, these 3 Mc’s & one DJ not only bring the high energy you have come to expect from the Beastie Boys but also the unique look that they brought with them too. Cypress Hill are homaged by “Cyprish Hill”, whose act is based upon the Live at the Fillmore concert from 2000 featuring 2 mc’s, a live band and DJ. So a great night in store for sure.

The Mighty Heartache – impassioned soul and country tinged rock pop with crafted songs and an old school groove. Vernons Future – The Vernons, as were, coulda been contenders. Feted by Melody Maker back in the day, and resolutely talented at Lightning Seeds meets XTC intelligent rock pop. Reformed in another age, the future is bright with a nice punchy riddim section and a jangled guitar part with washes of keys and a deep dark vocal that suggests the influence of ‘80s Paisley Underground bands…all quite psych based and garagey but melodic too. Rather good. Pigeon Lips – self proclaimed “queer feelings rock band”, a boy/girl/they 3 piece playing frantic jugular seeking art punk. Frantic, frenetic, cool. We at Bugbear Towers dig this mucho.  Void Oids like one minute, Slater Kinney tinged next. Super. Stage Door Guy – agit pop/prop punkishly hewn indie rock with politico anti Tory lyrics…cues from Billy Bragg, and this act was once just one guy with a roughly rocked but suitably visceral guitar. The song structures owe more to contemporary indie types like the Arctic Monkeys than the folk punk lineage of Bragg et al really. Now a full band. Spiffing.

Iann Brennan-From Dublin, straight down the line rock pop,excellent vocal shored up by Fab backing band. We’re getting Noel Gallagher’s Flying Birds vibes with a possible nod to Sam Fender. Simple but effective and emotive tunes. Hints at Fontaines D.C vocally but overall this is pretty much their own unique sound.  Kelley Swindall –  superb roots n Country performer outta Georgia, USA…over to the critics…take note!  “Don’t let this masterpiece pass you by”- Americana UK “Kelley Swindall Affirms Her Place With ‘You Can Call Me Darlin’ If You Want’ ” –  AMERICAN SONGWRITER “You Can Call Me Darlin’ If You Want borrows from a lot of traditional country music iconic sounds.  At no point, though, does it really sound like anyone except Kelley Swindall.” Samuel Herb is a singer/songwriter originally from Jacksonville, FL. After placing second in American Songwriter Magazine’s Lyric Contest, Herb decided to make the move to Nashville in 2016 where he quickly fell in love with Americana music.Since making the move to artist in 2018, Samuel has shared the stage with The 502s, Oliver Hazard, Tophouse, Gabe Lee, Son Little, Pokey LaFarge, Amythyst Kiah, Hush Kids, Tyler Hilton, Erin Rae, Shawn James and so many more. In such a short time, Herb has tallied up hundreds of shows on stages all across the U.S.

Loz Campbell – formed in 2014 hailing from Wakefield, UK! The 4 piece Alt Rock band have gained a loyal fanbase in the last few years following singles such as “Bad Girl” & “Beautiful Liar” with airplay on the BBC, Amazing Radio & Planet Rock. The Band have also being featured in ERB, MNPR, Classic Rock & Rock n load magazines. Over the last few years the band have toured with the likes of Cherie Currie (The Runaways), Richie Ramone, Eric Martin (Mr.Big), Mungo Jerry and had the chance to play Planet Rockstock, HRH Ibiza, Live at Leeds + Many More.  Looking ahead the band are currently in the process of writing & recording their second studio album.

Miraculous Mule – “Deep atmospheric grooves meet staggering heaviness on their second triumphant outing.” – MOJO                                                                      “Lashing voodoo grooves to a delta moan…sounds like it was concocted by some postmodern chain gang.” – Classic Rock Miraculous Mule have been whipping audiences into a frenzy since forming accidently in the latter part of 2010. The band features former Dream City Film Club front man and critically acclaimed solo artist Michael J Sheehy who describes Miraculous Mule as “…a group of Anglo-Irish honkies who dig African-American Gospel, prison/work songs and Hillbilly music.” They are a four-headed beast with three lead singers, Sheehy, Alex Louise Petty and Patrick McCarthy who also plays the bass and provides a driving rhythm section along with  drummer, Ian Burns. Sheehy continues: “Although we are lapsed Catholics, agnostics and non-believers who have tripped and fallen into Hell’s ditch many moons ago, we sincerely believe in the power of this music and how it makes us, and our audience feel.”  Tonight Miraculous Mule invite old friends from Michael’s old band Dream City Film Club to the stage for a one night only night of dark elation…  in the naughty Nineties, Bugbear Promotions‘ daily grind often collided with the work and wonders of Neo Gothic Boho rock marvels Dream City Film Club (tellingly named after an infamous porn cinema embroiled in a tragic arson attack). Both our house band, of sorts, Penthouse and DCFC (equivalent status with the Bull and Gate) enjoyed the most gnarly of dark rocknroll iconography and pastimes, with both signed, at more or less the same time, to Beggars Banquet Recs. And lo, much fun, fear and fuckology ensued…it was certainly rock and bleeding roll writ large. Wikipedia takes it up from here –  ‘Dream City Film Club were an English, North London-based rock band, founded in July 1995. Their sound encompassed tortured lovelorn balladry, avant–garde flourishes, Tin Pan Alley, straightforward rock and gospel yearnings in both lyrics and subject matter… The group disbanded in 1999. Frontman and songwriter Michael J. Sheehy subsequently recorded three solo albums for Beggar’s Banquet and two for Glitterhouse, and has subsequently fronted Saint Silas Intercession and Miraculous Mule with his brother Patrick. During the early 2000s, guitarist Alex Vald worked as half of experimental pop band Datapuddle, whilst in 2015, Sheehy and Vald reunited as the pop-noir duo United Sound of Joy. In a retrospective biography of the group, AllMusic called them “one of England’s most underrated bands of the 1990s.” ‘ Amen… 25 years on original bass ace and ex Breed man Andrew Park reunites with Michael and Alex to perform this one night only must see event – the return, in part, of Dream City Film Club to the stage, and in the Dublin Castle too- we are honoured to say. Yes, a remarkable happening. With an all too rare appearance from Simon Breed and a no doubt blistering headline performance from Miraculous Mule, DJs and other exciting additions no doubt yet to be announced, this matinee into night time event is a must attend feature on your twisted pop calendar.

Idle Wives – drawing inspiration from ‘Biffy Clyro’, ‘The 1975’, ‘The Amazons’ and ‘Catfish & The Bottlemen’, IDLE WIVES mix hard hitting punchy drums, groovy bass lines and add flavourful guitar melodies on top! But to really top it off the band’s lead vocalist sings with a passion and rasp, you can’t help but love. Walts Frozen Head – Prog and psych  inform these guys rattling good indie rock, with a bit of a Cardiacs influence perhaps, plus XTC and King Gizzard… really interesting and arresting stuff. Monumental – Mod/indie with some of the bite and edge of the more post punk end of The Jam. Nifty tunes and in yer face tood .

Slender Pins – twangodelic elastic bass, scraping, scratching and zinging post punk guitar, skittering scattershot drums, all pulsing into one beautiful danceable, delectable sound for vocalist and proper frontman star type Ash Burt to express himself most wonderfully atop. A marvellous band with fabulous songs who should be massive. Their performance tonite no doubt will be. Bogshed meets Cud with a smidge of Pulp?! See ya down the front! Purple Implosion – monstrously good schlock rock that will certainly please admirers of The Cramps and The Fuzztones….look like they belong in the band together for sure…a psychedelic sensation for fans of lovely trashe. With an E. The Widows – after a lengthy absence it’s great to welcome these peeps back. Think  a new take on Garage Punk with abrasive guitars, prowling bass and an unhinged vocal, plus there’s a Fall inspired Rockabilly vibe at times but also recalls Dead Kenennedys and Fat White Family, great stuff.

The Fallen Leaves – with a heritage going back to the 1976 dawn of UK Punk Rock (the original Subway Sect, natch, who played the 1976 100 Club Punk Rock Festival alongside Sex Pistols, The Damned, Siouxsie, Buzzcocks etc) and a sincerity of sound dedicated to the essentials of punk, garage and freakbeat (Minimum RnB natch), it’s always a great treat to welcome this band to the stage.  They really tear up the place each and every time, and in the suavest manner possible!… “This valve amp, treble-to-the-max rave-up would have had the mid-’60s Who or Pretty Things bricking it backstage at theEmbassy Club” Mark Paytress (Mojo) “This sharp, angular, melodic garage-pop will doubtless appeal to the same authenticity-starved youngsters who have made Billy Childish their king”. – Stewart Lee.  Neovenator –  a well received E.P under their utility belts, produced with JC Carroll of The Members, these chaps may be quite vintage but they certainly know how to adroitly place a power chord and a raffish melodic hook or ten. Bits of The Who, The Stranglers, Pil, you know…groovy gear. And lots of pure Neovenator  vibes to boot. Aforementioned EP features ‘Launch Day’, a song about Elon Musk…bleugh…  Evil Glimmer – female fronted low slung garage punk n roll with the tood and the gear and the grinding rock outs all firmly in place. Very cool. 

Totally Blondie are the best Blondie tribute around! Blondie were one of the most iconic bands of the 1970s and ’80s with Debbie Harry’s posters adorning most teenagers’ walls and admired accordingly. With Totally Blondie’s lookalike and soundalike singer, you can expect all the classic hits like Hanging On The Telephone, Sunday Girl, One Way Or Another, Atomic, along with some of the finest album tracks. And when we say lookalike and soundalike we really really mean lookalike and soundalike…it’s uncanny. And whilst the band may not be dopplegangers for Chris Stein and his merry men they can utterly cut it as Blondie, sometimes giving it just a little more oomph and pizzazz than the real thing, dare we say.  Relive that classic moment in time. It’s …Totally Authentic … Totally Superb …. Totally Blondie! Support from Sofia Ford – young multifaceted artist Sofia Ford has reached global acclaim with her innovative take on British alternative music. Taking influence from bands such as Oasis and the Stone Roses, Sofia Ford’s passion for 90s rock transpires so effortlessly in her own music. Crunchy electric guitars and melodic basslines. DJs We Got Killers keep the party going strong til 2am.

Laid-superb James tribute…On Saturday 19th May 2018 Mike Hadfield, lead singer of LAID, had a VIP ticket to the sound check prior to the James gig at King George’s Hall Blackburn. During the question and answer session Mike grabbed the microphone and asked the band their thoughts of him setting up a tribute band to honour their music. After deliberating as a band, Saul spoke for them saying “Go for it!” and Tim Booth gave his blessing. Mike set to work gathering the troops to create a band of fans for fans – Laid – a tribute to James.  Laid have received high praise everywhere they play. As well as rising to the occasion of a 1600 strong audience at Shiiine-On Weekender and performing on the bigger stages, they also love the more intimate setting of a smaller crowd within a 150-200 capacity venue. Committed to getting the same energy and performance that James produce onstage and getting that live sound just right, the band have marked their territory as the leading tribute to one of the best bands to come out of Manchester.  Playing all the hits including “Sit Down”, “Come Home”, “Laid”, “She’s a Star”, “Tomorrow”, “Getting Away With It”, and “Sometimes” they are one band not to be missed! Hope they find time to do “Hymn from A Village” mutters this old raincoat wearer… Well we could always play it…We Got Killers spin the big hitting party choons til 2am. Expect a fair bit bit of Manc made dance floor finery tonite for sure!

The Collective AKA – Wonderful to welcome these guys back…The Collective A.K.A in The Dublin Castle, a great fit as we know.  Rocking a sizzling set jam (Jam) packed with mod, new wave, punk and ska classics, The Collective A.K.A are a brass powered rhythm machine precision made for Maximum RnB dancefloor expression. The Best Saturday Night Out In Camden Town. Circa79 – and tonight supported by the superb C79, who will rock a set that does what it sez on the tin….it’s all from round about 1979. Lots of big hitters and some supercool left field choices amongst the choons. Brill. Your throat’s gonna be parched from all the singalong joy tonight…luckily libation is close at hand. Serious weekend fun…coz DJs We Got Killers are on hand to keep the party going til 2am- punk, ska, reggae, soul, disco, rave…dance dance dance.

AKA The Syndicate – AKA The Syndicate released their self-titled debut album, full of original ska, reggae and punk influenced music in 2021 which saw one song stand out, capturing the zeitgeist of the times. In response, the group pieced together a remote music video, an anthem of isolation titled ‘Hands Up (Who’s Coming With Me?) which was followed by the moody    ” Two Sides Of The City” Their debut album was described by Scootering Magazine as “A pop-tinged reggae album that brings to mind a wide variety of other bands, from Madness at their most successful to very early UB40, and maybe even a hint of No Doubt thrown in for good measure.”  Their second album ‘It’s Our World‘ was released in 2023 to rave reviews and the same can be described of their live shows, but the only way to know this is buy a ticket and catch AKA The Syndicate live…and luckily we have the perfect venue to enjoy a band steeped in ska and reggae and 2 Tone music. Ladies and Gentlemen… AKA The Syndicate in The Dublin Castle! With excellent high energy support tonite from New Tonic  – From the ashes of naughties Skangsters 2Tonic, New Tonic are a new take on the band with 3 original and 3 new band members. Playing old New Tonic originals, some new material and their own take on some of the classics. The 2 Tone/Trojan/Brit Pop/Indie influenced band are intent on freshening up the scene and having already performed at the IOW Festival, The Cavern Club, Liverpool and several well known music venues. The band are already making a name for themselves with their electric, energetic live performances as a must see band. New Tonic, happy to be influenced but not to be labelled.  All this plus dancefloor sounds from the sixties and seventies to right now right thru til 2am courtesy We Got Killers. 

Rhythm 60 is an Ex Gratia Recordings Party celebrating Scarlett Carson and J Mitch Flaxo’s first sixty years in The Universe… and you’re all invited, for a small fee to cover the entertainment . And what entertainment!…Back in October 1964 two incredibly special, squalling humans arrived onto this Earth and things have never been the same… Here we are in October 2024 and those two singing scorpio siblings, bassist, drummer trouble causers in multiple bands including Hagar the Womb, Bug Central, Mekons, Pig Ignorance, Big Bottom, Riot Clone, mclusky and also the rhythm section of anarchistwood going by the names of J Mitch Flacko and Scarlett “Charlie” Carsen are now almost grown up and are about to reach the youthful age of sixty. Please save the date of Friday 18th October to come and celebrate with us all at the infamous Dublin Castle on Camden Parkway. This includes a birthday for Hally too! The bands dem… anarchistwood – taking inspiration from Detroit ’60s, ’70s proto punk (indeed have been known to play a Destroy All Monsters number) as much as the Pistols packin’ ’76 SEX scene and post Crass ’80s Anarcho satire… Frank Cutter and crew know how to enrich the audience with fabulous, head turning, transgressive punk rock, and play it with a supercool ease. Punkish pranksterism never got so sassy. Effortlessly brilliant, massively entertaining. Their uber neato version of ‘White Punks On Dope’ (‘Black Punks On Speed’! hollers bassist Mitch!) is a wonderful inclusion in recent sets too. Bug Central – Bug Central are a punk band from London, England formed in 1996 and still playing with the original line up of Noodles Romanov (guitar / vocals), Ben Blasphemy (bass) and Charlie Bug of Riot/Clone, Pig Ignorance at the drums… Fierce and rumbling proper PROPER punk. SLapPeR – “the most beautiful sound you’ve ever heard” might sound like a bold statement, but you know what… beauty is in the eye of the beholder and… behold! Beauty! With echoes of neo classical, punk industrial and pronk pop gothic, there’s a lot going on and it’s all head crunchingly, psychedelically enigmatic and exciting. With DJ action til 2am…

Kitten Pyramid-Have garnered great reviews from The Guardian, Q mag, Prog mag and many more…take a Cardiacs type jaunty sound and combine it with some thoroughly Syd era Floyd whimsy and hard edged Crimson meets Tull passgaes , wig out Hendrix guitar, pastoral brass and a bit of Genesis too…but original…new prog!“If British psychedelia is your bag, this is your new favourite band” The Independent “Picasso could have been at the controls”Paul Lester, The Guardian “Fantastic” Mark Radcliffe, BBC 6 Music“Genius”Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music“Your new favourite band”Chris Hawkins, BBC 6 Music“A beautiful album.”David Stubbs, Classic Rock ★ ★ ★ –The Japanese brothers SAHAJi are about to be huge – Attitude and style for days with the songs to back it up. Their debut EP reached number 8 in the official U.K. physical sales chart, they are about to fly. Having already supported Andrew Cushin on his U.K tour, the brothers and their band are currently recording their melodic guitar driven rock ready for an autumn release. With a cult following already across social media, the enthusiasm is infectious, the style is unwavering, the swagger is real. Expect big anthemic choruses and melodies that stuck in your head for weeks.The 355s- Imagine the Oasis brothers having a scrap with The White Stripes, now you are getting close to The 355’s sound. Brought together by a mutual love for 90’s guitar driven bangers and Northern Soul grooves, Their debut E.P shot straight in at number 11 on the official U.K charts and with a sold out show  in London already secured,

The Estimators – Party time with the Autumn Ball Of Fire! Two, long, hot sets of the most authentic Jamaican Ska you’ll hear this side of  Foresters Hall 1963 or Orange Street 1964. A bona fide super skanking Time Machine back to the sounds that moved a million or more feet either side of the colonial divide. In fact, the music that ultimately brought people together, One Love n all that. The joy is palpable at any Estimators show, attracting people from all walks of life. Only ain’t no walking going on. It’s dancing all the way. You won’t have a better night out. Assisting in that party superstar selecta Paul brings his boxes of carefully collected 45s to play before, after and between sets. Pure vibes…whether ska, rocksteady or boss reggae. Big boutcha. We Got Killers then take the dancefloor off into more reggae, soul, disco and killer rock n roll til the wee hours.

St. Jimi Sebastian Cricket Club- From Stockholm, Sweden has been described in media as a mix of The Jam, Inspiral Carpets and Oasis. The band is run by Jimi Sebastian, raised in Sweden but with an English father which is reflected in both lyrics and music where the social realist narrative often plays a prominent role. He has on several occasions been invited to various podcasts TV etc. where he talks about the band’s music, lyrics and the connection to football culture. The band is constantly growing and considered as one of the country’s most entertaining live acts. SJSCC has previously released one full-length album and 3 EP’s, played frequently live where they sell out venues in both Sweden and London. A new full-length album is out in september 2024. So get your tickets for this folks! Daddy Those Men Scare Me – our very favourite suburban punk pop ironists go way back to the early days of Bugbear- and now they’ve written a few new songs too! Then again why mess with a set list full of quality witty items like ‘Mass Consumption’, ‘Magic Mushroom Man’ and ‘Teenagers’ (Cunts!)…wonderful. For fans of The Stranglers, Squeeze, Half Man Half Biscuit and Ian Dury…Snow In September – Sarah, singer,  formerly of Lover singing breathy Deborah Harry stylings, and she has a damn good voice, – crisp rock pop,  dynamic stuff, a la Garbage, Blondie. Antelope –  Highly polished shoegaze/dreampop. Harks back to proto-shoegaze like Pale Saints, plus there’s some lovely intricate guitar lines and a pretty dynamic sound all round.

Falsedots– Dublin Castle stalwarts, and then some, play their matinee malarkey album launch party for you today, that album being there saucily titled ‘A Finger In The Sun’. They go back to the Seventies but they have a youthful spirit for sure. Expect that new album to be a party platter reflecting their lovely live joie de vivre, encompassing the emanations of louche, loquacious and lascivious (la di da) Londoners like Ian Dury, Madness and Mark ‘Alternative TV’ Perry, with a healthy loft punk pop element and a devil may care spirit much to be admired, sure to be a beezer afternoon. The Nice Men– post punk shoulda bins with a fine balance of artsy angst and pithy pop in their musical armoury. It may no longer be 1979 but these reformed roustabouts will put that first forkful of Pot Noodle whilst hearing The Teardrop Explodes for the first time ever back in your mind. I think Pot Noodles came out in 1979…Julian Cope certainly did. I mean …you know what I mean. Whelligan– bit of a Copey influence here to perchance. From Merseyside via the Holloway Road and a fistful of acid pop pearls.

THE ULTIMATE STONE ROSES ARE THE ONLY TRIBUTE TO THE ROSES TO HAIL FROM MANCHESTER.  EACH MEMBER IS A DIE HARD FAN OF THE ORIGINAL BAND WHO HAS DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO MASTERING THE MUSIC OF THEIR HEROES.  PLAYING SONGS FROM THE SEMINAL FIRST ALBUM, THE SECOND COMING AND EARLY FAN FAVOURITES LIKE ‘SALLY CINNAMON’ AND ‘MERSEY PARADISE’, THE ULTIMATE STONE ROSES GIVE THEIR AUDIENCES THE MOST AUTHENTIC STONE ROSES EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE…

In the vibrant heart of Milan, The Lizberries came to life in 2010, beginning their journey to become the ultimate tribute to the iconic Irish rock band, The Cranberries. Subsequently the band have earned themselves a distinguished place among tribute acts, solidifying their reputation as the best Cranberries tribute act on the global stage. From the renowned Alcatraz in Milan to the prestigious Dolan’s in Limerick, The Lizberries have graced stages that once hosted The Cranberries, creating anatmosphere where fans can relive the magic of the original band. Their extensive repertoire and faithful rendition of Cranberries classics ensure that audiences are treated to a mesmerizing two hour performance that captures the spirit of the legendary Irish indie rockers. The band’s emotional connection to the Cranberries’ homeland is evident in their four tours of Ireland, and their commitment to their craft extends beyond the stage, as they actively participate in national gatherings of the official Cranberries fan club and collaborate on initiatives with Cranberries Italia. Looking to the future, The Lizberries are on the brink of creating a unique theatre show that delves into the history of the Cranberries. This ambitious project, incollaboration with an esteemed Irish Dance Academy and a renowned Italian DJ,promises to be a visual and auditory feast, offering fans a deeper connection to the Cranberries’ legacy. In the hands of The Lizberries, The Cranberries’ music lives on, enchanting audienceswith an ethereal voice and an unwavering commitment to preserving the spirit of one. of the most beloved bands in all rock history. And all yours tonight in then Dublin Castle, Camden, an Irish home from home. Tonight, we are commemorating the occasion of the anniversary of Delores O’Riordan, singer of the Cranberries’ sad death in London ten years ago this weekend. This will be a celebration of Delores’ life and The Cranberries’ great music.

Celebrate Australia day with INXS GB  A 6 piece band – The Ultimate INXS Tribute Experience! Get ready to be transported back in time to the electrifying era of rock ‘n’ roll as “INXS GB” pays homage to the legendary Australian band, INXS.Witness the exhilarating replication of INXS’s greatest hits, from the iconic “Need You Tonight” and “Never Tear Us Apart” to the crowd-favourite “New Sensation” and “Devil Inside.” Our talented lineup of seasoned musicians captures the essence and spirit of INXS with unmatched precision and passion.“INXS GB” delivers a powerful and authentic live experience, faithfully recreating the signature sound and distinct style that cemented INXS’s place in music history. Split Frenz are the UK’s number 1 Tribute Band to the Mighty ‘Split Enz’.They recreate the ‘New Zealand Beatles’, 80’s New Wave Pop with added Mancunian Swagger, on a mission to emulate the joy and chaos of the original Enz that warms the soul of old school fan, but still opens the heart of first time listeners. Sell out shows at Retro Bar in Manchester, the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool and outstanding headline shows Manchester’s Academy 3 and Club Academy have earned rave reviews from the fans who have travelled from all over the country to see them.Both Raucous and invigoratingly witty. Every night watching Split Frenz always ‘Enz’ in a bang.‘

The Decatonics are an established 8 piece female fronted ska band from Dorset comprising two singers, an energetic back line and a powerful horn section. Their set draws from the Ska, Trojan, Rocksteady, 2Tone, Soul, Reggae & Bluebeat genres and the vibrant live show has built up a great reputation for its high energy party atmosphere. Last seen here in The Ancestral Seat Of Madness supporting Teeside ska supremes The Skapones, we were suitably impressed and offered these guys and gals their own Dublin Castle headline. Gold Steppers – a band who say they are all about  ‘positivity, strength and dignity for the common person’ (and amen to that) and play serious underground ska… We Got Killers – will be playing ska, reggae, soul, punk and indie bangers between the bands and til the wee hours afterwards for your dancing delectation.

The Madnezz Of Amy! – YES! The Music of Madness. The Songs of Amy Winehouse, All in one handy, party hearty package…what’s not to love! Amber Sky puts her own ace spin on the Amy back catalogue with the boys in the band channeling the tunes just right. A perfect recreation of all that wonderfuL Amy stuff AND THEN 90 minutes of Madness classics on top, courtesy Ultimate Madnezz… what a ting. To be Frank, this goes One Step Beyond.

András Droppa- Come see the PAINTED LADIES TOUR! Following the release of his debut album, Andras Droppa brings his unique brand of Hard Rock-Blues to 49 venues across the UK and Ireland as part of his debut tour. A virtuosic ‘tour-de-force’ of in-your-face guitar driven music, András and his band won’t disappoint. Live and loud, this promises to be a night to remember! Andras Droppa is a 22 year old Hard Rock-Blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter from North Devon. His unique blend of Hard Rock, Blues, Soul and Funk shines through in his original material, and his live band are undeniably energetic and infectious.