The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE recommends an impressive impersonation of Bob Dylan
Attila the Stockbroker Diary: March 21, 2024
A eulogy from the itinerant troubadour to the city of Belfast, local music venues, the wit of the North Stand Kollective, and the indefatigable Joe Solo
The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE reviews Here, Vermiglio, William Tell and Wolf Man
New releases from Thorpe and Morrison, Daria Kulesh, and Will Finn and Rosie Calvert
RINA ARYA confronts the brutal operation of Francis Bacon’s approach to portraiture
Emphasising his continuous engagement in labour movement struggles, ALISTAIR FINDLAY salutes John Foster’s contribution as activist, strategist, intellectual and defender of the Morning Star
ANDY MIAH advocates the use of AI to assist people by expanding access to global literature and culture
EWAN KOTZ relishes a veteran Glasgow band that have lost none of their verve for live performance
GREETINGS from Belfast, where I wrote today’s column. It’s so wonderful to be back!
I have a long history here, having gigged in this vibrant, welcoming city for 40 years. I started in the ’80s, during the worst of the Troubles, at Queen’s University and the legendary Errigle Inn, then the pioneering cross-denominational school Lagan College, then the late lamented Warzone Centre — where I recorded a live album, imaginatively entitled Live in Belfast, in 2004 — followed by the Rotterdam Bar and most recently at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and, last Wednesday, at the Black Box as part of Imagine Belfast Festival.
It has been so good to see the city blossom in recent times as the desperate days of the past recede into the background. Also wonderful to come in on the ferry from Cairnryan in Scotland for the first time, following a long drive to Dumfries and a gig there last Tuesday.
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