Pillow Queens recently released the mother of all catchy tunes in the form of ‘Favourite’, alongside the announcement of a new EP, State of The State. Following the EP’s release (via Specialist Subject on March 16), Pillow Queens will head off on tour around their native Ireland and the UK. ‘Favourite’ has also received a re-working in an acoustic video filmed by Pillow Queens, which showcases a delicately softer arrangement that packs no less of an emotional punch.

Despite the sunny disposition of Pillow Queens’ catchy melodies and rambunctious riffs, the songs found on State of The State tend to have a darker undercurrent. Opener ‘Puppets’ is “a song about the frustration of trying to succeed in post-recession Ireland and the effect that has on mental health,” explains vocalist/guitarist/bassist Sarah Corcoran. Elsewhere on the EP, the band muse on emotional highs and lows, the inevitability of anxiety and paranoia.

Producer Peter Ashmore tapped into the wide-reaching references PQ threw at him, which included the likes of Hop Along, Yuck, Weezer, Manchester Orchestra and the Pixies, in order to attain a timeless feel befitting of the beautifully crafted songs. The artwork for the EP was brought to life by Nola Mellon and is inspired by the old Fallon’s maths times table book you used to have in primary school.

IRELAND & UK TOUR:

April 5th - Galway, Roisin Dubh

April 7th - Cork, AMP

April 9th - Bristol, Hy Brasil

April 10th - London, Sebright Arms

April 11th - Guildford, The Boileroom

April 12th - Brighton, Prince Albert

April 13th - Leeds, Chunk

April 14th - Manchester, Night & Day

April 15th - Glasgow, GLAD Cafe

April 19th - Clonakilty, Debarras

April 20th - Limerick, Dolans

April 21st - Dublin, Workmans Club

Le Galaxie and The Stunning will headline Vantastival 2018 this June. Le Galaxie, who have established themselves as Ireland’s top live dance act with their brand of thundering electro, will take to the Volkswagen Main Stage on Saturday June 2. The band's third album, Pleasure, is due for a full US and Europe album release in March. Also releasing a new album next month, ‘90s Irish rock icons The Stunning will headline the Sunday night of Vantastival. One of Ireland's biggest bands with a string of number one albums and hit singles, including the anthemic 'Brewing up a Storm', The Stunning are known for the quality of their live shows.

The line-up also includes Irish/Sierra Leonean songstress Loah, who’ll bring her unique blend of genre-bending Afro-soul to Vantastival, while multi-instrumentalist RSAG will perform with a virtual band while his drums, vocals and sampler are mixed with an array of hypnotic imagery and silhouettes projected on-screen. Dublin rockers The Hot Sprockets, Choice Music Prize nominee Marlene Enright, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Marc O’Reilly and the explosive trad of The Bonny Men will also appear at the festival. The bulk of the line up is yet to be announced and a large number of exciting up-and-coming Irish acts will be added to the bill in the coming weeks.

Now in its ninth year, Vantastival has established its reputation for diverse and quality line-ups showcasing the very best of Irish acts. Vantastival 2018 will take place from Friday June 1 to Sunday June 3 at Beaulieu House & Gardens, Drogheda.  Other attractions will include The Volkswagen Campervan Cook-off, interactive art installations, comedy, festival traders, a host of children’s activities and much more.  Vantastival has something for everyone, with or without a campervan. 3-day, 2-day and single day tickets are on sale now.