Kristen Sinclair

This review originally appeared in the now-defunct GiggingNI in 2018. Launching his new EP all round the light said :, County Down troubadour Joshua Burnside returns for his second headline gig at The Empire, Belfast. Joined by local veterans Lambing Season and the newly-signed Brash Isaac , Burnside proves unrivalled in his craft and cements himself as a champion of the NI music scene. An ample crowd is already gathered before the first act even take to the stage, in what might be south Belfast’s only properly air-conditioned venue (and in 22°C+ heat, there’s only so much a cold beer can do). Lambing Season , an experimental folk group, are back for their first gig in years. Squeezed onto The Empire’s tiny stage, the seven-piece create brass-heavy, folk-infused soft rock vaguely reminiscent of Arcade Fire. The band is fronted by multi-instrumentalist Gerry McCrudden who gives direction to his bandmates’ atmospheric harmonies and very talented trumpet playing. It’s easy...

This review originally appeared in the now-defunct GiggingNI in 2017. Now in its seventh year, Limavady’s Stendhal Festival returned to Ballymully Cottage Farm this weekend for two days of music, art, poetry, theatre and comedy. The event takes its name from the syndrome first described by French author Marie-Henri Beyle in 1817 – the experience of being exposed to “an experience of great personal significance, particularly viewing art”. Stendhal Festival, like its namesake, encapsulates the full spectrum of creativity experienced by humans, and boasts a line-up of too many incredible acts to be enjoyed in a mere 48 hours. As Ireland’s best small festival, our finest local talent – coupled with some UK acts and those from further afield – flocked to the County Derry countryside for what was to be Stendhal’s busiest year yet.  As campers make their way to pitch (read: wrestle) their tents, the dreamy, 80s-infused pop rock of Beauty Sleep fills Ballymully whilst festiv...

This review originally appeared in the now-defunct GiggingNI in 2016. Returning to Tubby’s Farm near Hillsborough for the seventh year running, the ever popular Sunflower Fest once again played host to a fantastic array of local Irish talent this weekend. Encompassing music, art, food and spoken word, the rolling fields of County Down were filled with brightly dressed campers, students and families alike, to enjoy the diverse and eclectic range of entertainment on offer. The organisers of Sunflower Fest are certainly no strangers to the cliché ‘something for everyone’, with stages covering (and often mixing) nearly every genre of music from rock, folk, electronica, ska, blues, indie pop and even heavy metal. Getting day two of the festival underway on the Main Stage is quintet The Late Twos , whose fiery indie rock attracts Saturday’s first spectators, enticing many picnic blanket and deck chair-wielding festival goers from their tents. The Belfast lads’ short set is super...