blog – Belfast Underground

A NIGHT OF LEGENDS, goes from strength to strength.

March 7, 2024

A NIGHT OF LEGENDS, goes from strength to strength.

Plans are coming together rapidly for what could be described as one of the biggest ever line-ups of DJ talent from across the dance music scene in N.Ireland.

Physical paper tickets are now available from our online store, and direct from our Banbridge building.

BUY TICKETS HERE >>>>

The event, named A Night Of Legends was announced in December and was created to raise much needed funds to help a much loved DJ who has contributed over 25 years of service to dance-floors across Ireland.

Paper tickets are now available to purchase from Belfast Underground HERE

Next day delivery is available via Royal Mail 1st Class post, or collection is available on Saturdays between 12pm - 5pm from Belfast Underground's Banbridge store.

Fergie McWilliams / DJ Fergie / DJ Fergie Freeman has been an important part of the DJ scene in Northern Ireland for nearly 3 decades.

Fergie suffered a brain injury a while back, resulting in many life problems, which include no longer being able to walk unaided and loss of speech. This has affected his life in so many ways that are unimaginable for someone of such big character.

Known for his love of BIG tunes and the uplifting styles of electronic music, Fergie gained thousands of fans and friends through his many club residencies and hundreds of mix tapes back in the day.

His best mates initially set up a GO FUND ME page to help out with their dear friend’s many complex needs and they have raised almost £3,000. This initial funding was raised to secure the necessary funds to purchase an electric wheelchair to aid and help in his continued rehabilitation.

Response from the DJ community was instant!

So, for one night only Sat May 4th 2024 the lads are asking that you join them for a night of seriously big tunes as they come together to support our dear friend and talented DJ who is facing incredibly tough times due to his illness.

Event Details

Date: [Sat 4th May 2024 ]

Venue: [Skylite Room / 7 Duke Street, Warrenpoint]

Admission: [Via Tickets >>

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS VIA GLISTRR

CLICK HERE FOR PAPER TICKETS

MUSIC & MEDIA EXCHANGE SCHEME

TURN THE RECORDS THAT YOU DON’T USE ANYMORE INTO CASH OR EXCHANGE THEM FOR FRESH VINYL THAT YOU WILL USE.

WE believe that lurking in everyone’s attic / roof space is a dusty old box of vinyl records or at the bottom of your shelves there’s a ton of records that you bought years ago and your taste may have changed and you no longer like.

We buy and trade those records that you may have grown out of or have double copies of. These unloved pieces of plastic could be generating serious cash for you and offering a well needed financial boost on the lead up to Christmas.

Cash is paid on the spot for records of ALL styles OR an exchange rate of 1.5 times the amount is offered

FOR EXAMPLE

If we value your collection at £100. We offer you a choice of either £100 in cash OR £150 in store credit to use either in-store or online. This credit option is particularly useful if you want to refresh your collection.

Get in contact with details of any records, CDs, instruments, equipment that you wish to offload..

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RIP Mallorca Lee

February 5, 2024

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RIP Mallorca Lee

The world of electronic rave music has lost one of its favourite hardcore sons.

Ultra-Sonic founder, front man, producer and globetrotting DJ, Mallorca Lee has died just weeks after announcing his terminal diagnosis. He was 51.

His first heartfelt social media post revealing his illness, left thousands of fans around the world stunned and in complete shock. The post stated that he had months to live. Sadly that was not to be.

Mallorca's family broke the news of his passing on his official Facebook page on Monday.

“We love you infinity, goodbye and safe trip.”

Mall was always a very firm favourite in North / South Ireland and was renowned for his electrifying energy and stage presence. There was a strong connection and common ground between the Scottish rave scene and our very own. It is one of the few things that brings all communities together as one.

One post on his official Facebook page said “I apologise for not telling all of my family and friends individually, it just breaks my heart a thousand times and I don’t have the strength to go through it all over and over again"

“I love you all, the last ten years have been the best of them all, it really has been wonderful.

“Love, that’s all we ever really have, our one true currency, so tell the ones around you what they mean to you, every day.”

We pass on our heartfelt condolences to Mallorca's family.

May he rest in peace.

https://youtu.be/JhjuiOwE1Cw?si=UT4bzDnwHF9_JUlX

METALLICA – Master Of Puppets – Album Review

February 4, 2024

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METALLICA - Master Of Puppets - Album Review

For me "Master Of Puppets" is one of the most important metal albums of all time, from one of ‘the’ most important metal bands in history.

I’m fortunate to have been partner in a professional recording studio for 20 years where we used certain bands as reference points for production and final mix-down purposes. These guys popped up regularly when discussing the dynamics of the recording process with up & coming bands who were striving to get that huge wall of sound effect.

38 years from this album landed and Metallica continue to set the benchmark that young bands aspire to reach.

My first introduction to these titans of metal was the incredible album "Ride The Lightning", which my little 13 years old ears were completely blown away by. I listened to this early example of thrash on repeat until I knew the album chord for chord and word for word. I’ve been known to still offer a full-blown drunken rendition of "Fade To Black" at gatherings, much to the horror of the other members of the church congregation.

2 years later "Master Of Puppets" landed and along with my broken voice and newly acquired acne, things in my world changed dramatically.

This album kicked the bollocks out of everything else in my world that year and brought with it a new found attitude, which was starting to realise the importance of confidence and assertiveness when pursuing your passions, regardless of how loud they were.

I was heavily influenced by Tommy Vance’s weekly radio show on Radio 1 and would have taped it religiously every week and listened back on repeat all through the following week. To have an entire weekly show like that on the biggest station in the UK dedicated to rock & metal was testament to how important this scene was in the 80's.

21 year old Lars Ulrich’s drumming on this album, where sometimes completely attention seeking and at times bordering on the OTT, is nonetheless astounding. The twists, utterly filthy hooks, and sharp direction changes in the songs never give you a proper chance to get too relaxed into a song, which is a lot of what Metallica are all about. There’s just a different level of intensity and dirt about this album that I still can’t get enough of to this day.

The title track takes you on a journey through dynamic shifts and intricate guitar work, while songs like "Battery" and "Disposable Heroes" deliver intense energy and aggression. The album's lyrical themes explore darker subjects such as control, addiction, and war, adding incredible depth to its full on sonic assault.

I was in complete awe of the band when I finally got to see them at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena in 2010 and still find myself in awe of them every time I listen to pretty much all of their albums.

Every track on this album is a 100% monster!

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL METALLICA WEBSITE

https://youtu.be/K6LA7v1PApU?si=wdKToJAUF4YIotDC

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GARY NUMAN – The Pleasure Principle – Album Review

February 1, 2024

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GARY NUMAN - The Pleasure Principle - Album Review

I love Gary Numan, as an artist and as a human.

He’s an honest, down to earth, straight talking family man who has stuck by his music beliefs for 45 years and not turned into a touring classics jukebox. The ultimate of respect is due for those few facts alone.

Gary speaks very openly about his health and the fact that he has Asperger’s. He personally sees it as a gift. All these factors that i've mentioned so far, make him a cool person in my eyes, before I even begin to chat about his music.

As an 8 year old who up until then had been brought up on a diet of the vocal greats such as Abba, Kenny Rogers and Charley Pride, i remember watching Kid Jensen introduce Numan on Top Of The Pops and being transfixed by his persona and hypnotised by this eerie synth music that I didn’t understand, but for some reason absolutely loved. I was too young to appreciate the term ‘surreal’, but I now appreciate that’s what I felt inside back then.

There was a futuristic kind of cool about the whole group, they were from a different beautiful dimension that I wanted to be a part of. Who else would have put the drummer in front of the band back then?

"The Pleasure Principle" was Numan’s first solo album after he transitioned from his previous band Tubeway Army.

I now appreciate this masterpiece as being one of the pivotal moments of electronic synth music, on a par of importance with other great albums from the likes of Kraftwerk & Visage, then Human League, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode etc.

Songs like "Metal" with it's simplistic 4 chord lead hook and "Films" with those eerie space age keyboard melodies have now become the trademark Numan sounds over his 45 year career, both are shining examples of a forward thinking genius at work.

"M.E" (which famously went on to be a massive sampled hit for Basement Jaxx) Lyrically, reflects Numan's introspective journey as an artist and individual, grappling with questions of identity and purpose.

The album's lead single, "Cars," became an instant classic and remains one of Numan's most recognisable songs. Its infectious, iconic synth riff and catchy chorus propelled it to the top of the charts, solidifying Numan's status as a figurehead of the electronic music scene.

Beyond its commercial success, "The Pleasure Principle" is also celebrated for its depth and abstract thinking. The album explores themes of alienation, isolation, and technology's impact on society, reflecting Numan's fascination with science fiction and imagery.

This music has 100% stood the test of time and when you listen through this album in its entirety for the first time in a while, it just brings his level of genius home again. There’s a level of subtle, barely noticeable flange work and reverb on the Minimoog and Polymoog keyboards throughout this album which just adds a whole new dimension to the spaciness of the music for its time.

Something that impacts us as a children has a habit of sticking with us throughout our lives. This album and artist is the prime example of that theory in action for me. That’s how I feel about this guy’s music.

I will never stop appreciating this man’s songwriting, synth chord progressions and unique voice, he is still an absolutely ground-breaking recording artist at 65, there’s not many left who can hold a title like that.

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL GARY NUMAN WEBSITE

https://youtu.be/JeucohIa5LQ?si=r7VtLb0--kV_9wT8

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THE VERVE – Urban Hymns – Album Review

January 28, 2024

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THE VERVE - Urban Hymns - Album Review

What can you possibly say about one of the finest collections of beautifully written and produced songs ever laid to record?

One quick review like this could not possibly do such a masterpiece justice.

As opening tracks go, "Bitter Sweet Symphony" ranks up there as one of the heaviest hitters in music history. At its very core this track is a masterpiece of orchestration and raw emotion. The beautiful, sweeping, high octave string arrangement in the background, which was sampled from an orchestral recording of The Rolling Stones "The Last Time" creates a stunning backdrop for Richard Ashcroft's introspective lyrics. This song is the definition of 'iconic'

https://youtu.be/1lyu1KKwC74?si=YzJ4OpAg6mM8dQea

Following on then immediately with the hauntingly beautiful ballad "Sonnet" for me, captures the very essence of The Verve's musical diversity and emotional depth.

Dropping 2 such heavyweight and emotional openers is always going to be a tough act to follow and track 3 of many albums can suffer as a result. "The Rolling People" takes up the challenge with gusto, by bursting into the room and throwing a bucket of cold water over your face. This track features some seriously edgy guitar hooks.

You get a sense that the running order was something which figured heavily in the latter planning stages prior to this album's release.

There are so many underrated and possibly overlooked songs on this record. Many people in our current low attention span / quick fix / TikTok generation will flick through to the popular mainstream hitters on an album and miss it's entire story. The flow and structure on Urban Hymns, for me, is its pièce de résistance.

It’s the entire story that this album tells around it's big, most popular songs that are equally as important as those anthems.

The spiritually uplifting masterpiece "Weeping Willow" has a wonderful, subtle depth that easily ranks it up there with every other track, while "Neon Wilderness" has the feel of a beautiful, psychedelic Morrisonesque dream.

"Space And Time" is a very high ranked track by many die hard fans and features the dreamy guitar work by Nick McCabe.

https://youtu.be/PwGtpAlHSdI?si=lDksAmUPvtvdBrpx

Yes there are big mainstream hits which have the potential to tear off your head, but I believe it's the subtle tracks in between that create the entire package. Not one track overpowers the rest on this album, which is in itself a rare quality.

The stunning Fender Rhodes led ‘One Day’ is such a beautiful and subtle interlude, and a breath catcher as you scrape yourself off the ceiling after being hit with ultimate in thought provoking masterpieces which i speak of next.

"Lucky Man" Is one of those songs which has the power to bring you to your knees, or lift your soul to new heights at the time when you most need some life affirmation. Lyrics like these resonate with so many listeners on a deeply personal level. This is why i believe that music has the capacity to evoke a broad range of different emotions, from joy and exhilaration to sadness and introspection, often stirring memories and experiences in ways that words alone cannot.

https://youtu.be/8QsFNqL8eSc?si=1C3KbFPIBvi3Eb3m

The sequence of the songs on this album took a lot of careful consideration. The parting shot of "Come On" features the gritty backing vocals of Liam Gallagher and could not have been better placed to leave you with the perfect summary of what these guys were all about.

The work of Chris Potter on the production of "Urban Hymns" is on a completely different scale to anything else of its genre and time, the layering and his acute ear during the mixdown of levels is just sublime. Subsequently Potter went on to win a Brit Award for his production on this masterpiece, there was nothing even remotely close in 1997’s nominations.

This album continues to grow on me more and more as I have grown myself as a person, and discovered more about the many levels it takes to create a true band, and indeed a proper album journey. All the ingredients required very rarely ever gel to create a band such as The Verve.

Records like this only come along a few times in a lifetime. I believe that the world of music owes Richard Ashcroft a huge debt of gratitude for his contributions over the years.

Without shadow of doubt, In the top 5 albums of the 90’s.

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL THE VERVE FACEBOOK PAGE

https://youtu.be/AWUD05jzL5o?si=apA310vWDSTEePrq

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JOHNNY CASH – At Folsom Prison – Album Review

January 26, 2024

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JOHNNY CASH - At Folsom Prison - Album Review

I’ve been a fan of Johnny Cash, bless his soul, from I was old enough to process and arrange sounds in my little brain.

Growing up in our household we were blessed with an endless supply of folk music and country greats. Singers like Glen Campbell, Simon & Garfunkel, Charley Pride, Tammy Wynette and the main man Cash were always on rotation either on vinyl, cassette or the big 8 track tapes that were slotted into the dashboard of the family car.

My love of Cash will never fade as I associate his voice with so many good memories.

On Jan 13th 1968 Johnny Cash and his band walked through the gates of Folsom prison.

The record is so electrically charged, right from the off that I still find it almost impossible to skip through. The screams of excited inmates, completely blown away by the fact that they are being allowed this unheard of privilege is so energising and just creates such a feel good factor.

To kick the concert off with ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ and hear the crowd immediately erupt sends goosebumps all over me, every single time I hear it. There’s just so many beautiful songs on this album that never fail to bring a tear to my eye.

The final song on the recording is written by one of Folsom’s inmates Glen Sherley. You can just imagine the extra excitement that this must have added to the concert to have their own friend’s song performed by the great Cash.

You can listen to this album in two ways. First you can marvel at the genius of Cash’s songwriting and his accurate, working class life observations.

Secondly, try detaching yourself from just listening to the music within and putting yourself inside the heads of the inmates in the crowd. Just like Andy Dufresne's co-workers enjoyed icey cold beers as they tarred the roof of the fictional Shawshank State Prison, the inmates of the real Folsom prison received a release from their confinement for an hour to enjoy Johnny Cash singing about crime, cocaine, booze, prison life and their lives on the outside that they all dreamt of during their lifetimes behind bars.

For the audio recording of this to be captured in such a way and to be released, virtually uncensored is completely mind blowing to me. To be allowed that privilege in a maximum security prison was completely unheard of.

So this album says a lot to me, but the thing that resonates most is the temporary compassion shown to a room full of convicts, who lets face it were human beings like everyone else.

Totally spellbinding album that I love dearly.

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL JOHNNY CASH WEBSITE

https://youtu.be/AeZRYhLDLeU?si=fbJU_r0QoMbJNjgS

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AVA Belfast 2024 lineup revealed

January 24, 2024

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AVA Belfast 2024 lineup revealed

AVA has become the missing jewel in Belfast's electronic music crown.

The annual festival, brainchild of Belfast native Sarah McBriar, is now into its 10th successful year and continues to go from strength to strength.

From its fledgling years of building the brand and selling 1500 tickets at the T13 Building, to now clocking up a standard of 10,000+ sales on each day of recent events, the production values and line ups at each show continue to grow with each years festival.

You can see the reinvestment in each new event as they continue to make each one stronger than the last. Every little attention to detail is considered in the planning.

Acts booked for each year are carefully selected and represent the absolute cream of current DJ and production rosters globally. With the electronic music world changing so quickly, these guys have the required eye for talent and their finger well and truly on the pulse of what is fresh.

2024 sees another very fresh turnout of acts with many regular names appearing alongside the most upfront worldwide artists.

The mighty Belfast titans BICEP return again, this time with their critically acclaimed Chroma AV DJ set to offer their home crowd something very special.

US house god Kerri Chandler makes a headline appearance, along with rising stars Nia Archives and Barry Can't Swim

As usual, the standard of local support DJs is of the highest standard.

We think that this year will be the strongest yet

https://youtu.be/u9dGzcTbnVw?si=oT0RRdBOuBgfy-mO

https://youtu.be/jO5JhZNSjUA?si=M4Y7qaN98Mk4c6s6

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CHECK OUT THE AVA WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

https://youtu.be/RdrqYKIZNPY?si=D5IANLyTjndr6tmv

https://youtu.be/W7eAxaUFs4U?si=kEtKVGV-c2W9mAPN

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PRIMAL SCREAM – Screamadelica – Album Review

January 22, 2024

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PRIMAL SCREAM - Screamadelica - Album Review

1991 ranks up there as one of the maddest years in my 90's campaign of debauchery.

This album sums up so much about the friendship, unity and after-party culture of a period in time that remains my most precious. The rave scene was starting to properly explode, rival football terraces were, for some unknown reason, liking each other, dance-floor bigotry was taking a sabbatical…and everything in the world was just beautifully coloured and perfectly euphoric…until Tuesdays.

Screamadelica was the benchmark wind down and take the edge off album for me and my mates. Someone who has never rode the back of a 3 day post rave gathering may overlook the journey that this collection of music takes you on, and see it purely on it’s face value of song after song - not moi.

There are hidden depths in these songs that only dogs and ravers can hear.

Our dearly departed hero of electronica, Andrew Weatherall was the key figure in the production of this album and it just (pardon the pun) ‘screams’ The Guv’Nor and his beautifully low slung, analogue Balearic mastery. The tracks seamlessly blend through genres, creating a sound that totally encapsulates a unique time in music history.

At a whopping 10 minutes and 19 seconds, ‘Come Together’ goes on, and on, and on, and on, and builds to a level of locked in, hypnotic euphoria that goes beyond anything i’ve ever heard since. To then follow a track like that with ‘Loaded’ has the power to completely peel open the top of your head if heard under the right circumstances.

This album has everything i could ever require in a body of music, highs, lows, twists & turns, funk, depth and utter charm.

Every now and again i believe that anyone who was a Primal Scream fan back in the 90’s and is still in reasonable control of their main faculties, should take a little refresher course in this album..trust me, it will do wonders for your heart and soul.

This album is as close to out and out perfection as you will ever get. I actually found myself getting quite emotional wording this particular review and listening (again) whilst writing.

I would urge you to take some time at your earliest opportunity and reacquaint yourself with this beautiful indie masterpiece.

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL PRIMAL SCREAM WEBSITE

https://youtu.be/e8QPkD-15GQ?si=daQKUuT0ZaFCU3Em

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