Karl GuestGalway has been one of the big players in Irish nightlife for a number of years now, with clubs such as Electric & Monroes playing host to some of the biggest names in the business with the assistance of collectives like VSN, Refuge, GASH, Move, Epoch & Anti Social Acid Club.
In recent months it’s become more and more evident that Galway is in fact the Irish city bringing the biggest and most diverse lineups to the country, most notably in Electric where it appears that acts are being booked based on their quality and their ability instead of their profitability which is truly refreshing sight in a landscape full of money-hungry promoters and politics.
Collectives such as Refuge have been consistently bringing some of the best in the business to the city over the last three years at Monroes, including the likes of Artwork, Randomer, Denis Sulta, Dax J and most recently Altern8 before ending their association with the venue and scaling back on events, but luckily things in Galway are still as healthy as ever, with the likes of VSN booking a number of impressive up-and-coming techno artists such as Tommy Holohan and Miley Serious in the past and also have Earwiggle’s Imogen in Electric’s ‘Factory’ tomorrow.
GASH Collective have been continuously backing female artists & inclusive nightlife ever since it’s inception a few years ago through their production and DJ workshops focused around women and their events. They’ve also just announced LSDXOXO & Blusher for a show in Electric on May 18th.
Over the last while the venue has had the likes of Brame & Hamo, Mella Dee, Peach and Detroit Swindle all take the reigns for headline shows as well putting on a number of stacked lineups such as their recent Paddy’s Day party which ran all day and featured the likes of Sunil Sharpe, Boots & Kats and Prosumer as well as R.Kitt, Shampain, Rosita Moulin and UFO Club to name but a few.
The size of the venue allows for the promoters to be creative and have two or three rooms opens with acts that can cater to different audiences while maintaining a constant energy throughout the venue. It’s been amazing to see the venue take risks and listen to what the local promoters have to suggest when it comes to the nights that they should be running and to see acts being booked based on merit and not because of potential ticket sales, a philosophy a lot of promoters/venues in 2019 either don’t have the courage to adopt or don’t care for.
Electric have also just announced another lineup of similar calibre featuring the likes of Boy Noize, Orpheu The Wizard, Logos & Ellll as well Lols & Noid as part of their association with this years International Arts Festival.
Here’s a run down of some of our favourite events happening over the coming weeks in Galway…
1. GASH Collective w/ LSDXOXO & Blusher (Live)
Join the event page here
2. Electric X GIAF: Shivers w/ Sunil Sharpe & Violet
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3. VSN present: Imogen [Earwiggle] & Shampain
Join the event page here
4. Yurt City Launch Party w/ Elliot Adamson
Join the event page here 
5. Electric X GIAF: w/ Boys Noize, Orpheu The Wizard, Logos & Ellll
Join the event page here 
Galway has also just seen the introduction of a brand new record store, by the name of Pleasure on Abbeygate Street. We’ve not made it down just yet but it’s on our to-do list for our next visit as we’ve heard some great things about the staff and the record organisation. They’ve also just announced a couple of pre-parties for this weekend events… three nights of drinks and late night record shopping.
Give them a follow over on Instagram here