Rhythm weekender

Various venues, Cork/Dublin Fri-Sun rhythmweekender.com

The Rhythm Weekender dominates proceedings this weekend in Dublin and Cork, with ambitious programming in the mix for its debut outing.

Naturally, there are a couple of bona-fide crowd-pullers on the bill: Hypnotic Brass Ensemble play Ireland more often than Dana these days, while Modeselektor are always good value for money, as they visit the capital to launch new album Monkeytown. But there's also plenty on offer for more adventurous tastes.

Visiting new-school producers to check out before they proceed to the next level include Jacques Green, Tanya Auclair (below) and Taylor McFerrin, while the Kush night at Dublin’s Workman’s Club showcasing Irish-based producers Cignol, Gretta Gunn, Diamond Dagger and Meljoann contains much promise. Elsewhere, Cut Chemist, J Rocc, Ben Sims, Kirk Degiorgio and Jazzman Gerald should provide sounds to savour.

Pick of the weekend? Ethiopian jazz grandmaster Mulatu Astatke playing Dublin’s Sugar Club on Sunday night.

Can't see that? Catch this:Strange Brew turns 450 (Thurs, Galway); Retro/Grade turn Yello (Sat, Belfast); and The 2 Bears meet the Kitten (Sat, Belfast)