Friday
Ennis Tradfest
Various venues, all weekend
ennistradfest.com
This year's gathering is an eclectic one, with Belfast piper John McSherry and his compadres celebrating the release of his exceptional album, The Seven Suns and Fintan Vallely's Compánach concert vying for space alongside Lúnasa and the trio of Jesse Smith, Colm Gannon and John Blake on fiddle, accordion and piano. An autumnal gathering not to be missed.
The Northern Ireland Music Prize
Mandela Hall, Belfast, 8pm, £16.52
mandelahall.com
As part of the Northern Ireland Music Prize, the Oh Yeah Legend Award is presented to a music act (or industry figure) that has made a substantial contribution to NI's cultural life. This year's Legend Award goes to Ash, the Downpatrick trio whose members are all under the age of 40. Living legends, then? After Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, and Rick McMurray accept the award, they will take to the stage and, you know, rip it up.
Julia Jacklin
Grand Social Dublin, 8pm, €15
thegrandsocial.ie
A recent visitor to the Irish Times' Arts & Ideas pages, Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin has set most folk abuzz with her recently released debut album, Don't let the Kids Win. Think confessional, smart lyrics aligned with melodies that stick in the head for hours on end, and a voice that knows what it's singing about.
The Night Institute
The Foundry, Belfast,10pm, £10
facebook.com/thenightinstitute
Denis Sulta is a dude on the rise. The Glaswegian DJ and producer, born Hector Barbour, has seen his tracks like the giddy MSNJ house hopper find favour on labels like Numbers, Mister Saturday Night and Dixon Avenue Basement Jams. He's in Belfast tonight for a Sulta Selects show with pals and Sub Club veterans Harri & Domenic making the trip with him. Support from Tommy Stewart and Jordan.
Bastardo Electrico
Cyprus Avenue, Cork, 11pm, €16/€12.50
facebook.com/bastardoelectricorecordings
Two EPs in recent months from London-born and Berlin-based techno shaper Dax J show the width and depth of his skills. Be it the Lost in Bermulda EP recorded with Cleric or the heavy-hitting Illusions of Power EP released on his own Monnom Black label, he's an artist very much at the top of his game when it comes to rich, mesmeric, powerful sounds. Support from Bastardo mainman Jamie Behan.
Perico Sambeat/Phil Ware Trio
JJ Smyths, Aungier St, 9pm, €15
jjsmyths.com
Spanish saxophonist Perico Sambeat is one of Europe's most respected jazz musicians, an inventive improviser with an original approach who has collaborated with contemporary leaders like Brad Mehldau and Kurt Rosenwinkel. He arrives in Dublin to add pianist Phil Ware and his excellent trio to the list, with bassist Dave Redmond and drummer Kevin Brady. Arrive early.
Saturday
Pantha Du Prince
District 8, Dublin, 11pm, €20/€18/€15
panthaduprince.com
It remains to be seen if Hendrik Weber will bring bells to rival Christchurch's chimes to Dublin 8 for tonight's live show. Weber's fondness for campanology came to the fore on his collaboration with Norwegian percussion group Bell Laboriary for the Elements of Light album and live show. Since then, Weber has maintained a collaborative buzz and this year's album The Triad saw him rubbing shoulders with members of both Bell Laboratory and Queens.
Trashcan Sinatras
The Workman's Club, Dublin, 8pm, €16
theworkmansclub.com
Much admired Scottish group – celebrating its 30th anniversary – deliver songs from latest album, Wild Pendulum, as well as familiar favourites from previous output. Amusing fact: an early recording studio of theirs was called Shabby Road. Special guest is Irish singer- songwriter, Ultan Conlon.
The Building Society
Hangar Dublin 10.30pm €15/€12/€10
Over the past couple of years, Harry Agius has been producing club sounds with distinction as Midland. The Leeds-based producer's ability to sculpt and shape tracks which blend house, disco and other fares, has led to remixes for the likes of Caribou and Washed Out, as well as releases for Aus and Phonica and, naturally, his own Graded and Regraded imprints. Support from Long Island Sound, the Dublin duo featuring Timmy Nolan and Rob Roche.
Sunday
Acton Town to Cork City - Marcella Reardon
St Peter's, North Main St, Cork Until December 20
stpeterscork.ie
When Marcella Reardon was clearing her parents' house several years ago, she came across a number of boxes in the attic. To her surprise, they contained everything they had brought with them on their return to Cork having lived in England for many years. It was an amazing archival time capsule, and also curiously located between past and future. She set about working her way through the contents, documenting each and every thing photographically.
