Holy Braille –  DarkWave soundtrack to Holy life. Full of emotional turmoil, stark, dark and goth. Sensational live! Leg Puppy 2.0 – Biggest band in the world called Leg Puppy 2.0. Their fearless live shows have been compared to Suicide meets The KLF. Valentina Reptile –  Electronic songwriter and producer Former Hieroglyph and Fragments of Faith lead vocalist. Am Sin –  Haunting, atmospheric duo, creating moving ethereal soundscapes. DJs til 2am…

NeverUnder  – Grunge band founded and led by singer-songwriter Noah Roovers (24).  London based, very present on the British and Scottish live scene, selling out their shows in London and part of the rising Camden Grunge Scene.

The Mickey 9s– Glasgow’s superfine purveyors of Modern Kunst and techy, tight and tantalising funky punky fare are back to the DC after what feels like an overlong wait. Great to have them back. ‘Mickey 9s are a raucous live band from Glasgow who play funky metallic dance music with sharp witted lyrics and a wild stage persona’… all true, the masked marauders of kicking punk funk they surely are, look out kids, they’re after a piece of Camden Town turf to take back to Scotland. They will most likely steal your hearts too. Impossible not to dance once they hit up the stage. “…a blend of meaty basslines, jaggy guitars, up-tempo rhythms and idiosyncratic vocals” The Scotsman “…fucking brilliant” This Englishman. Danny Fingers –  I’m getting Mink Deville NYC vibes, some school of Lou Reed travelogue talesof the Lower East Side etc in the wonderful ‘The Girls Are All The Same, for example, although Johnny is actually from L.A. He also embraces electro pop nu soul with a fizzy pop element. All good…indeed sounds right sassy. Monkey Rumpus – Wonky but engaging indie punk with echoes of The Fall and Beefheart, but shot through with the sinister energy of Fat White Family, good stuff. Formerly Bipolar Rollers, they still roll, and with brains a boggling at that. Just check out their ace take on The Velvets’ White Light White Heat on Soundcloud.   The Big Slouch – Old school rock pop outta Swansea…where they know a thing or 2 about gnarly rock roll with a head music element. No names no pack drill, but these guys do back to playing gigs here in the Dublin Castle in the early ‘90s! Welcome back.    DJs We Got Killers til 2am go funk, punk, no junk, get some drinks sunk, don’t be a lunk. Party central. NB Today’s matinee show 2pm to 5pm (The Hackenbackers + Man About A Dog + Adventures Of Parsley) is a separate ticket  HERE www.wegottickets.com/event/617456/

Matt Edible & The Obtuse Angels – A Hull hero of note over recent years as championed by Tom Robinson on 6music. Glam rock beats and cutting comedy content in the lyrics typify the current corker of a single ‘Idiot’. Lotta fun. The IDKs –4 working class lads who just love playing rock’n’roll music! As heard on the ‘Something About You’ EP… upbeat, positivity with a nice punky growl…the probing bass makes you think Joy Division, only on happy pills, and you have some melodic charm mere reminiscent of Supergrass or The Fratellis. Best Band – experimental but rooted in songcraft, BB combine the pastoral, Anglo psych of Syd Barrett, the post punk pulsating syncopation of Flying Lizards and the sweetly shambling indie pop of TV Personalities, as heard on super new long player ‘Life As A Baby’… DJ Black Feather til 2am

 Socks On Records  Nite! with… The Prods – High octane punk rock and roll with massive chords and massive attitude of a Godfathers, Pistols, Heartbreakers kind- yes,  a massive guitar sound, plus great playing all round,  and great harmonies..but also a beautifully balanced modicum of wry, rapscallion humour.   A fine array of Satirical punk pop gems pricking all sorts of twattery, from catalogue models to darts to crap tech to the Great British seaside…superb. Das Kapitans – From the darkest depths of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, England. Das Kapitans are a combination of influences including Fugazi, The Spits, The Melvins, Sonic Youth, Blur and Joy Division creating a DIY punk, post punk, lo-fi, garage punk, alternative feast. Formed at the back end of 2020 Das Kapitans set themselves the challenge of writing, recording and releasing 12 albums through 2021…..a challenge that they smashed out the park! 2022 and 2023 have seen the release of the album number 13, ‘Debut’ and a number of EPs and standalone singles.As well as the music the band has set up a YouTube channel and Podcast for their Das Kapichat series – talking to people from across the country about the DIY music scene. YouTube its also home to a growing collection of videos for their tracks, again all DIY and ‘homemade’. Not content with getting their own music out there Das Kapitans have set up a small Bandcamp only record label, Socks On Records, to work with and promote other artists across the platform. Building a community of like minded artists has been key to the success since the band formed which has led to international radio plays, podcasts, blogs, vlogs and being featured on the local BBC Introducing Show a number of times. Mices –  “Mices are a 3 piece post punk/ indie band for fans of Dinosaur JR, Burning Airlines and other fun 90s bands”. Coup de Tete –  “Loud, in your face, fuzzy ukulele… because why not? Indie Punk band based in Peterborough…

Rubella Ballet – 45 years and counting from their inception, Rubella Ballet are still the zippiest, most colourfull and POSITIVE of punk pop combos. Part Gothic, part Anarcho Punk, part DIY Indie, always a fab nite out. Damage UK – as helmed by ex Nuffin guitarist Brian Damage and bassist Paul Flynn, Damage UK play old school, rabble rousing punk from The Clash school of unrule. Brigandage – Original Posipunk stylists from the neo Goth early days of post Ants and Banshees noir wave. Singer Michelle has put together a new lineup and dusted off the back catalogue. Michelle was there at the start too, as images from the queue outside the 1976 100 Club Punk Festival attest. Opening tonight, a proper treat, best arrive early…

The Dublin Castle, a launch pad for countless music legends, hosts this special ticketed showcase night for new acts to look out for. Curated by Bugbear and the team behind the venue’s renowned Monday Open Mic night, this event presents three of the most exceptional bands who’ve played there. Calebo is a 4-piece introspective indie-rock band from London. Singer-songwriter Dan Caleb’s songs evoke the spirit of Pearl Jam and Nirvana, via the melodic and lyrical sensibilities of writers like Elliott Smith and Sufjan Stevens. Renowned for their energetic live performances, Calebo have played sold-out shows at venues across London. “Mesmerising and joyously upbeat” ~ Spirit Level Magazine “Simply beautiful” ~ Indie Pop Ups Canada Hill, a three-piece from Surrey and London, used the open mic to develop their sound and professionalism over the last year, and have created something truly magical. Heavily influenced by the British pop and indie bands of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s their music embraces memory and longing. Even the name, Canada Hill, is inspired by a viewpoint near Rothesay in West Scotland, where friends and relatives waived a last goodbye to loved ones sailing across the Atlantic to a new life. Minifgure, hailing from Croydon have been hailed as ‘young, loud and UNREAL’ by Underground Sound, and having witnessed their remarkable showcase set at the open mic a few months back, we couldn’t agree more. They ripped the place up with catchy riffs inspired by 90’s and naughties guitar bands and a raw energy had the Dublin Castle crowd begging for more. Now they’re going to get it.Another superb evening’s entertainment assured!

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. The Beat Pack “Prime purveyors of brutal 60s RnB, proto psych and freak beat” is damn rite. A hint of punkish pithiness from the 1970s and Trash Modernism from the 1980s make these guys a perfect foil for the Fallen Leaves.   Queenie and the Peanuts – schlock and roll with teeth, and the titular regal gal upfront giving the grit and grind some class. For fans of The Void Oids and Wayne County  and all good non linear punk rock fun.

Jemma Freeman & the Cosmic Something – Beautifully honeyed yet barbed indie rock / dream pop with on point song craft and sonorous vocals from them wot’s name is on the tin. As they say ‘Outsider dream alt rock’ is the gist, and ‘cosmic songs about introversion, hidden lives, and empowering yourself in the face of adversity’… indeed, super. Eve Indigo – Eve first took to the stage as the ballsy  amped up singer/songwriter on a  neo-glam rock/good old fashioned rock and roll tip, but now Eve Indigo is a crack 3 piece on a mission to make Hair Metal hip…kinda …job done, coz this is truly sassy, funtime, crafted glam punk joy. Partay. Milkfiz – fascinating new band outta Bristol, always a hot bed of creativity, and along with Manchester, the true heartland of post punk. These superbly syncopated sons and daughters of the Severn take all that Pop Group, Glaxo Babies, Maximum Joy heritage and soup it up for some suitably psyched 2020s visions. Ace. Arrive early. You must catch this band.

Tiptoe Apollo – featuring the Roberts sisters on bass and keys, who warmed our cockles in Lockdown, alongside mum and dad with their more-viral-than-Covid Roberts Family Band Smiths singalongs, T.A are about a young a band as we’ve ever had gracing our stage.  But…THEY’RE GETTING OLDER! Hold the front page!! Still very, very young, but now even more talented!…and performing the music of Arctic Monkeys, The Cure, The Reytons and more. An indie pop party supreme. Stonecrown – Grunge meets screamo with Seattle in the ascendant. Hard riffing, 21st century blues bellowing rock for fans of Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains Cantered Soul – Strokes cum Killers type upbeat, energised anthems, but thru an ace Irish punk heritage lens (SLF, Undertones) and something of the Manics or Glasvegas too. Lots of soulful intent, whether from the rootsy, gnarly vocal or the intensity of the playing. And …they have a banjo! Superb.

MUSER – Yes indeed, a Muse tribute band with a supercharged facsimile of the powerhouse Muse sound and a repertoire featuring all of the Muse classics making up a blistering 2 hours of live music. Plug In, Baby! NB THIS AFTERNOON’S MATINEE EVENT IS SEPARATE – TICKETS HERE – https://www.wegottickets.com/event/611686 DOORS 2PM – BugBear Promotions are excited to bring you this Saturday afternoon matinee performance. US post-punk duo, Frenchy & the Punk are back in the UK for a whistle-stop tour, and find just enough time to squeeze in this show in Camden. Also on the bill are Marc Burrow’s Beyond Victoria project, Camden’s very own weird popsters Flesh Tetris, and Birmingham’s down & dirty rock’n’rollers, The Head Hunters.  

The Cazales – Nice punk tinged indie rock with a cool story telling sardonic edge as evinced by their nifty Manics meets The Wedding Present psycho killer tale of a pop gem ‘She Wants You Dead’…neat vid too. Falsedots – so here we are in The Ancestral Seat of Suggs and co. And the influence of Madness is also to be found in the punky reggae of False Dots…or moreover, the shadow of Ian Dury looms large, just as it did over Madness. And what a great shadow to be loomed over and upon…hence the superb fun on offer here. These chaps recently celebrated 45 years in the Biz with a cracking headline show in the Dublin. In support tonight though…versatile lads!

The Derivatives – cheeky pop covers done brilliantly on a Wednesday nite? What’s not to love? 59 De Ville – slinky, jazzy blues played with a deft touch and with some choice material …great to hear Roadhouse Blues played like this, for example. Sarah Bird – accomplished female singer songwriter with interests Americana touches. Steeling Scarlett – taking some unusual songs and playing them torch song stylee with the accompaniment of just a jazz guitar (played beautifully by the way). I guess Nouvelle Vague could be a touch stone… DJ til 2am.

Unknown Pleasures- These guys and their primal, punky, poised and perky take on the incredible Joy Division canon have been doing the rounds as long as Buggerbear…we’re a match made in heaven, haha.  Always an ace night out…yes ‘Ian Curtis’ has adapted the trademark moves a tad since he ahem died and maybe slightly more padded than you recall, and Peter Hook seems to have transmogrified into a goff Yul Bryner etc etc but don’t watch that….a brilliant and lovestruck tribute to adore. Argonaut – punky indie with tood, female fronted, gnarly and noisy but nicely abundant in ear worm pop sensibilities, for fans of The Fall, Sleater Kinney, Stereolab… DJs We Got Killers will hit up a ripe vein of post punk dance floor fun tonight prior to opening up the dance floor doors of delight to whatever your feet demand, so long as it is indeed KILLER.  Kill Bosco – Hooky probing bass lines, uber indie chiming guitars and a keening Manics like melodic appeal. Zippy power-pop ahoy. Violet Blend –

You want fabulous institutions that are hitting their 50th Anniversaries this year? We got em…well, Jock McDonald‘s legendary punk techno disco rock and roll agents provocateur The Bollock Brothers may have a couple of years or more to go before they hit the Big Five O- but The Dublin Castle, as we know it,  under the stewardship of the Conlon family celebrates a Golden Anniversary this year- and so does the wonderful Charly Records. Well, let’s have a party and get Jock and co. to headline…sounds like a good plan right?  Charly Records was founded in France in 1974 by Jean-Luc Young, a promoter in his homeland who moved to the UK in 1975. A good time to do so it must be said! Although Charly was originally known mainly for American-originated jazz, rhythm n blues and rock and roll reissues (and other modern oddities, such as the Bollock Brothers!) but has mostly set out it’s stall as an album-oriented “retro” label. With a fantastic roster that produces Americana, blues, funk, gospel, jazz, Latin, popular, rap, reggae, r&b, rock, rockabilly, soul, and ska, Charly has always maintained a much respected, high profile position in the record industry, and many of it’s releases are must have additions to the discerning record collector’s burgeoning shelves. So many wonderful LPs providing a well appointed inroad to classic music of the past….DJs We Got Killers certainly have a few, and will be dipping into them tonight for the post gig party (free entry after 11pm as usual). Tony Bugbear Killer says ‘My favourite Charly Recs releases are the Rare Groove compilations of the late 1980s. Absolute gold at a time when those big tunes were rocking warehouse parties but were hard to find. I’ve worn out two copies of  the amazing “Got To Get Your Own- Some Rare Grooves Vol 1″!…. and you can be sure to expect some cuts off that record tonite, and an all round groovy dance floor experience tonight. Get on it party people…

The Rheumatics – ‘Rock Against Rheumatism’ is their cause celebre, can’t argue with that…old enough to know no better whatsoever bunch of chaps covering 1970s Punk Rock classics and also some of the cool music that paved the way for Punk. With support from Reek -4 young lads who do covers of bands like Shame, The Idols and newish Aussie punk stuff like Stiff Richards,  Mini Skirt,  Pissed Idiots etc. So old punk, new punk, all punk covered. A fabulously entertaining way to spend a midsummer Sunday afternoon then! Yes, this is a matinee show, get yourselves along around 2.30pm NB The Rheumatics matinee show is a separate event to the evening gig (NO TV + tba )www.wegottickets.com/event/616745/

DB Stewart is a blues rock artist from Seattle, U.S. Country Rock and Pop sensibilities sweeten the bluesology evident in the fine guitar playing, making for an accessible troubadour experience that could please fans of Tom Petty or Steve Earle as much as those of Bukka White. Talented guy.  Sophia Lucia –is an experimental musician, performer, and writer. She is based out of Chicago & Paris. She makes hypnotic and chaotic rock & roll / singer-songwriter music, with punk and theatrical energy. She writes and produces a one-woman show titled, ‘Freak Show Cabaret!’ which is a variety show including (but not limited to) theatre, poetry, dance, performance art, improvisation, and original music. Alternate Root Magazine described Sophia Lucia as, “a rare gem – one of a small band of unique, idiosyncratic artists who forge their own path because, for them, that is the only path which is viable.” 

Ping Pong Disco – “This masked quartet have some pretty out-there ideas. Take music-making: Write a song in under 10 minutes, play it, and if they can remember how it goes, record it. This works surprisingly well for the mysterious combo – from either Dundee or London – who adopt disguises of duck, baby, rabbit and pig, and may be planning a bank heist later….”…all true…check ‘Fat Aladdin’s ‘meandering Nile Rodger-style guitar lines and hedonistic Happy Mondays vibe’ and ‘I Need A Drink’s pounding teutonic beats that channel Front 242 or Nitzer Ebb, while the 10 tracks also recall early Kasabian and Bowie’s funkier period. Meanwhile, ‘Scratcher’s nifty sounds and samples have a Sleaford Mods-do-hip-hop vibe and ’Super Vegetable’ recalls PiL’s collaboration with Leftfield. And a WORLD OF TWIST fan’s delight to we’ll warrant. The Raven Chords –  magnificently mournful  Grunge/Americana rocking joint Boy/girl vocals with a Mark Lanegan via a grunged up Giant Sand vibe. 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…

Jackals – high energy supercharged pop-neo soul concoction with a funky, syncopated feel that makes for a proper party vibe replete with dancing. We liked this band so much we put them on a Dublin Castle residency last year, and it’s wonderful to welcome them back, after what we know has been a traumatic few months for them. The healing power of their excellent music is not to be underestimated…effortless,  high energy infectious grooves, impressive songcraft and great individual performances . Superb. The Nightfalls – Groovy fuzz driven garage rock, shades of late 60’s U.S Nuggets but also your more flamboyant, British psych pop…great stuff. Idyllic –  Anthemic indie fare played with Scally pop panache. Formed in Liverpool in 2022, Idyllic have played over 50 live shows and have released three singles which are available on Spotify and Apple Music. DJs We Got Killers – pumping up the dancefloor til late. All Killer, No Filler.  

The Groovy Arts Club Band – seasoned garage thru punk and rnb Rockers with some major players in the ranks including Eddie outta The Vibrators powering the big beat at the back. Great stuff, with an active artistic penchant as reflected in the handle. It’s not only Rock and Roll actually Mick .The Frauds- Polished and accomplished female fronted rock pop, sounding and looking good. Excellently executed, hooky tunes. The Bangles meeting Justice?! Let’s go with that.Mel & Marcel – Boho pop duo playing rootsy beatnik gear. Fab gear indeed. Bamboo Powders – enigmatic psychedelic troubadour par excellence.

No Face No Case Presents A Night Of Oi!…to get you in the mood, fuel up on some righteous street punk energy pre Rebellion Festival. 4 superb bands – Crown Court, The Angry Agenda, Savage Beat, Tear Up…

This afternoon’s special matinee RocknRoll Book Club welcomes back Mr Spenwood Books himself, hardest working author/publisher in showbiz, Mr Richard Houghton…and today Shepherds Bush comes to Camden Town, coz it’s all about The Who… This Guitar Has Seconds To Live: A People’s History Of The Who, is an oral history of the band who were the first and original Mod guitar group, and who evolved into the kickingest of kick ass arena filling rock phenomena. They smashed Rickenbackers, hotel rooms and occasionally each other. Never before had a band caused such wanton destruction on stage. Never before had a band smashed their instruments into pieces, or used feedback as a weapon to manipulate their audiences. But there had never been a band like The Who before, and no other band has ever brought the same level of danger, excitement, chaos and sheer volume to live performance. From singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend and bassist John Entwistle starting out as The Deetours in 1962, until the untimely death of their legendary drummer Keith Moon in 1978, this is the story of over 300 explosive who concerts told through more than 500 eyewitness accounts. It charts their rise from their West London roots to become one of Britain’s top chart acts (with 14 top ten hits) and a gig schedule that saw them play virtually everywhere in the UK before conquering North America and the world via mammoth concert tours and attention-grabbing appearances at the Monterey, Woodstock and Isle of Wight festivals. The Who’s albums Tommy, Who’s Next and Quadrophenia all rank in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. Their legacy is undiminished by time, and the sound of feedback runs through this book, as fans and admirers of the band recount seeing them in action through a series of fascinating and heartwarming anecdotes and photographs. More than 290 different Who gigs are recalled by fans, from their mod roots through to the 2000s… Tony Gleed talks to Richard Houghton about all things Who on stage, with a Q and A to follow and books to be bought and signed. Buy one, buy three. Soon be Christmas. We then complete this Whofest the best way possible…with a long set of ‘60s /‘70s classics performed by confirmed Who enthusiasts’ the excellent Wardour Street. From the igniting spark of The Who, straight through the ’60s mod explosion (Small Faces, The Kinks, Spencer Davis), and into the mod revival (Jam, Secret Affair, Purple Hearts, Chords, Lambrettas), plus a sprinkling of new wave and 2-tone. Wardour Street are the real deal Mod covers band…pure Fred Perry-adorned modernist joy!  

Holy Ghost Madness – a brilliant new young band outta Brazilia, dual vocalists duel at their mics with tons of vigour and bounce and high octane energy, riding the rhythms of some excellent supercharged punky alt rock grunge. Ferocious but ultra inviting. This should be a fantastic show. Holyghost Madness remember that name… and when you saw them in The Dublin Castle!

Another PUNKY REGGAE PARTY shindig hits the DC, and that’s always a joy…you know you’re in good gands with this supergroup of seasond punk, new wave and Mod Revival players (The Chords, UK Subs, Chelsea, Vodka Tourists, Bruce Foxton Band) and this time the guys are hitting us up with their always loved,  superfine Clash set and taking up against the Premier Stiff Little Fingers homage, Six Little Fingers. I predict a draw, and a triumph all round. We Got Killers keep the party going til 2am, punky, reggae, and a lot more…

Attila the Stockbroker Presents ‘INDEPENDENTS DAY’ nombre cinq in his seasonal Dublin Castle Sunday matinées. Storm the Tory Bastile with the always fiercely independent and resolutely left leaning heroes of agit punk pop Newtown Neurotics. God knows we’re still all singing along to their big hearted, banging anthems. And back for a second stint, the fabulous Mark Thomas, whose searingly hilarious social commentary is always immaculately on point.

The Wheelgrinders- Are a Rockabilly trio based in Vancouver, Canada and in the South of France. They have been grinding out their own brand of traditional roots Rockabilly at hep joints near and far since 2016. With two albums recorded, multiple tours in Canada and in Europe and their songs spun on rockabilly radio stations around the world Greg  – Guitar/Vocals Caroline –Upright Bass Stuart  – Drums

Toot ‘N’ Skamen – it’s been more than a decade since this superb ska/reggae/2tone collective last trod the sainted Dublin Castle boards and we’re very pleased to have them return under the auspices of Ska Punk Party #4. A dancefloor frenzy is assured, fez optional. In fact you can get off yer fez if ya like… Jack The Lad – proper street punk kick ass gear with just the right balance of dry humour, out and out laughs and deviant hard ass Oi! elements. Massively entertaining in fact. Boot Boy Radio DJs nice you up with punky party sounds between bands, We Got Killers take the punk and ska into soul and rock and roll and  further dancefloor excesses beyond 11pm til the wee wee hours.

Off Judy – From Oz…Funtime ramalama punk pop 3 piece with a Ramones influence and a joyous feel.   Off Judy’s unique blend of slacker-punk, larrikin wit, and zany stage presence has garnered them a reputation for delivering electrifying performances, which has seen them support the likes of Skegss, Pacific Avenue, The Smith Street Band, The Pretty Littles, Homebrew and many more. Their explosive energy and witty ratbaggery make each live show experience a memorable and raucous affair. Bones Ate Arfa  -Cosmic and kooky indie with some neo psychedelic touches… Dandy Warhols, Blur, SFA…  Pretyman – fun as fook London based punkers who proclaim themselves  to be ‘William Shatner with a fuzz pedal’. Damn right. What a joy! Love Nor Money  – On a mission to rightfully reinstate rock into the modern-day mainstream, Love Nor Money weave together the sounds of classic and contemporary. For fans of Kings Of Leon, The Mars Volta, QOTSA, Tedesky Trucks, BlackBerry Smoke, Lynrd Skynrd, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. 

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 video as part of this evening’s entertainment, and we are anticipating that some of her former artistic associates will also participate in the event. 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

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 Stranglesmith 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.

Irish singer-songwriter Rory & the Island has had the best part of 20 Top 20 iTunes singles in Ireland in the past decade.  Rory’s journey began as lead singer of indie-rock band The Revs, who alongside being hotly tipped by the likes of U2, found themselves topping the Irish charts with two top 5 albums and a string of successful tours that made waves throughout Ireland, Europe and even reached Australia with a top 30 single – as well as beating Damien Rice, Relish and Six to take both the Meteor IRMA award and the Hot Press Award for Best Newcomer. After the bands split in 2007, Rory moved to a remote island in the Canaries where he opened a live music venue ‘The Island Bar’. And the rest is His Story!… It was there the Donegal songwriter performed weekly residency shows building up a following of people from all over the world that would travel to the island to come and see him perform. It was also here that Rory & The Island was born – with Rory Gallagher beginning his solo project under the name to avoid any confusion with the Ballyshannon/Cork Blues Legend. Two albums later, Rory & The Island independently earned himself 8 top 30s, 2 top 10s and a Number 1 single in the Irish Charts alongside performing all over the UK and Ireland supporting the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, Feeder and Alabama 3. 2019 saw Rory leave the island, return back to Ireland and extensively tour, filling out rooms around the UK and Ireland with his first London show at The Dublin Castle selling out within 48 hours of going on sale. Rory now divides his time between the Island, Ireland and the UK and we’re more than stoked to welcome him back tonight. Rory is a one man hit machine like no other, a veritable human jukebox you could say, but you get all the human passion and fun alongside the unstoppable cavalcade of bangers in a 2 hour plus show…its all done with immense charm and such infectious affection. A must see show. 

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.

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.

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,

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! Band links:

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…