Some of you out there will be swaying along to some old Fleetwood Mac favourites this weekend as they play the o2 this Saturday and Sunday. it's Irish Independent music critic John Meagher's gig of the week and here he tells us and the best of music releases and what other gigs to go to.
Gig of the week
Fleetwood Mac at the O2 on Friday and Saturday. These are marquee concerts, not least because they mark the opening dates of their European tour, but also because Christine McVie is likely to perform at least part of the shows with them. She hadn't been expected to reunite with her old bandmates, but this week Stevie Nicks confirmed that she was coming to Dublin to rehearse with them. If she does perform, it will see all five members of Rumours-era band on stage together - a seriously tantalising prospect.
Talking point
Both Christy Moore and Mike Scott of the Waterboys have unveiled songs attacking Arthur's Day - the Guinness-devised event, which takes place for the fourth year next Thursday and features the likes of Janelle Monae and The Script. Their criticisms seem very selective - just about every major Irish festival is sponsored, at least in part, by a drinks company. Both Oxegen and Forbidden Fruit are named in honour of, respectively, Heineken and Bulmers.
Tip of the week
The renaissance of Manic Street Preachers. Like lots of other critics and fans I had given up on a once-vital band who seemed to have morphed into a tired dad rock outfit. But their understated new album, Rewind the Film, is excellent and they play shows in Dublin's Olympia on Friday and Saturday.
Album of the week
Chvrches (pronounced Churches) - the Glasgow electro-pop trio were named in the BBC's influential Sound Of poll for 2013, and are among the last of those nominated to release an album. But The Bones of What You Believe might just be the best album of the lot. Think clever electro-pop that doffs its hat at the more cerebral side of the 1980s. Singer Lauren Mayberry has a wonderfully commanding voice and will remind many of The Sundays' vocalist, Harriet Wheeler. Their performance at Electric Picnic earlier this month was widely acclaimed
