February 28th 2017

February had some great gigs and we had a wonderful time with Chic drummer Ralph Rolle at the store. I’ll be uploading his clinic in full to our youtube channel in the next week.
The month was quite busy for the stores, lots of planning going on as we prepare for March, which will be a time of further renovations for us. In the last 6 months we’ve added over 6,000 products to our stores, so we’re busy trying to find the best way for us to showcase them all. We’ve some major things happening in April based around the International Record Store Day that’ll be just the ticket with all the music fans of Limerick. Work’s well underway for that.

Our new website Steamboat.ie will be launching in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for that. Really excited about it because for the first time all our stock will be fully live on the site, so if it’s on the site, it’s in store. Hopefully will be a game changer for purchasing instruments, accessories, music and film media in Ireland. Fast, efficient deliveries nationwide.

I wanted to include a special mention for local customers of mine, Parcel of Rogues who recently launched their debut album Live and Interrupted. Fine collection of ballads and folk songs. Best of luck to them with the new cd.

And finally Ed Sheeran has his new album out March 3rd which we’ll have available in store in Thomas Street on the day. It is definitely going to be the biggest selling album of 2017 for us. Irish band Beoga with Limerick native Niamh Dunne feature on a couple of tracks so that really makes it special.

Gig Picks

Napalm Death

March 17th Dolan’s Warehouse 8pm
Hard Rock/Metal promoters, Bad Reputation providing an insane pre show to their upcoming Siege of Limerick festival in April with Grindcore legends Napalm Death playing in Dolans. This will be a sell out for sure, Limerick for a long time has had a very strong support for metal and the Siege festival, which is completely free, has gone from strength to strength since it’s inception in 2008, a credit to the group who organise it. It’s one of the best supported metal festivals in the country and it’s no surprise considering how many metal fans we meet every day.

Limerick Fringe Festival

Limerick’s inaugural Fringe Festival starts March 30th for 3 days. A wide range of events, from comedy, dance, spoken word, theatre and of course music. Some of the highlights I’d suggest checking out are:

Hoodman Blind
Individually these 3 are exceptional musicians so combined, Niamh, Sean and Finn can only do great things. Heavily influenced by Nordic folk music, Hoodman Blind’s take on Irish folk makes for an enjoyable night.
Friday 31st March, Shannon Rowing Club, 9.15pm

Tigwara
On the same night is original modern rock/funk band, Tigwara. They released their new ep last year to rave reviews. I was lucky enough to hear them in Cobbles at the launch and I’ll certainly be checking them out again.
Friday 31st March, Shannon Rowing Club, 11.45pm

Raging Sons
Launching their first album at the festival, should be a big year for the Limerick natives.Friday 31st March, Dolans Warehouse, 9.15pm

Barry Jay Hughes
From Co. Monaghan, singer songwriter Barry Jay has been busy touring his second EP ‘Tried and Treasured” which has seen him receive plenty of air play national and internationally.
Friday 31st March, Mother Macs, 9.15pm
Saturday 1st April, Mother Macs, 9.15pm