The company’s autumn programme includes a world premiere of a new work by composer Gavin Bryars. Anáil Dé - The Breath Of God will be performed by Iarla Ó Lionáird and the Crash Ensemble at Imma, Dublin on November 14th and the Solstice Centre, Navan on November 15th.

November also sees a visit from renowned drummer Manu Katché and his group of ECM all-stars. They play Dublin’s Tripod (2nd), Cork’s Opera House (3rd), Dolan’s Warehouse in Limerick (4th) and Navan’s Solstice Arts Centre (5th).

There’s also new music from Norway in the shape of In The Country and Susanna (video below) playing at Dublin’s Whelan’s on October 25th.

Sly & Robbie and Cathy Davey are the somewhat eclectic co-headliners at the Radisson SAS Hotel on October 24th. Wonder is there any chance of a collaboration on the night?

Others playing the festival include Orchestra Baobab, Solas, Tom Baxter (the poor man’s David Gray), Le Vent Du Nord, Fred and Jason Byrne (the self-titled “Funny Irish Stand Up Comedian” per his website).

More information at www.sligolive.ie

Hear songs from the fourth Bell X1 album at Dublin’s Vicar Street; they play on Nov 11th and 12th.

Josh Ritter plays a show with a 24-piece orchestra at Dublin’s Vicar Street on December 11th, a reprise of his Boston Symphony Hall show in June.

The reformed Miami Show Band play Children In Crossfire benefits this month at Dublin’s Vicar Street (16th) and Belfast’s Grand Opera House (17th).

Those suffering post-Electric Picnic withdrawal pangs should check out the Electric Picnic 08 Retro-Special show on Phantom FM between 5 and 7pm tomorrow featuring interviews with Joan as a Policewoman, Franz Ferdinand, Foals, Stephen Malkmus and The Breeders plus plenty of Picnic music.

There’s talk about a “newly strengthened and emboldened website” so it’s a pity there’s nothing there yet about this story.

Oh and that line about “the first Quality National Music Monthly available completely free of charge”? Surely, the lads and lasses at State also read Analogue magazine which happens to be a quality national music monthly available completely free of charge?

UPDATE: It would appear that someone at State HQ has read On The Record and copped that they’re not the first ones to try out this particular business model for size. From the revamped and remastered State website: “Of course we’re not the first to take this approach (props to our colleagues at Mongrel, Analogue and Connected) and the way things are going we’re sure we won’t be the last, but we are genuinely excited by the prospects that await us.” Just a pity they messed it up in the press release sent out yesterday afternoon, lost a load of goodwill and got people fuming in the process.
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RTE Radio One’s News At One yesterday afternoon. Michael Ring TD comes on to talk about why the poor farmers hate the interweb because robbers can now get hold of their addresses thanks to the Department of Agriculture. Truly one of the best radio moments of the year. Kudos to presenter Gavin Jennings for realising what he had on his hands and stoking the fires in just the right way. Enjoy

According to a six-foot-six source we bumped into at the Picnic, there may also be a load of special acoustic dates from the band to come by the end of the year. Mmmm, maybe it’s time for another On The Road diary…

The stars were also out in force at the Picnic so, for one post only, it’s the return of Acne - On The Record spots the stars!

Patrick Bergin! Actor and incredibly nice gentleman! Strolling around the Spoken Word area talking to everyone he met! Including On The Record! Topper!

Erin O’Connor! Supermodel! Bloody tall supermodel! Glacial good looks! We’re told! As spotted by boutique chicken farmer Miss O’D!

Tommy Carcetti! Yes, the mayor of Baltimore City. AKA Aidan Gillen! Spotted by our spies (thankin’ you Dave) looking scruffy and shabby wandering around the Body & Soul area! He looked a bit like Bubs, we’re told!

We’re leaving the best one to last! Really! Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Monday lunchtime! Three people sitting at a table in the bar! Looks like a mum, a dad and a son! Son happens to be Kevin Shields from My Bloody Valentine! Yes our Kevin! They’re talking about the weekend and the da is giving the son some advice for his band’s next show. “You should at least have said hello to the crowd or thanked them for coming”! Priceless! Sadly we didn’t hear Kevin’s reply!