A special one-off gig is planned for Dublin’s Button Factory on April 1st. Don’t worry, there are no April Fool’s jokes involved; but there is a surreal collaboration between three highly respected Irish musicians on the cards.
Neil Hannon is teaming up with Cathy Davey and Richie Egan to recreate Vampire Weekend's debut album in its entirety.
The trio will put their own spin on tracks such as A
-Punk, Mansard Roofand
Oxford Commaas part of The JD Set. The JD Set was previously a battle of the bands competition, which ran successfully for eight years, but it will now focus on exclusive gigs with well- known artists in its new format.
Last year's JD Set highlights included Richard Hawley and Jarvis Cocker playing with rock'n'roll legend Duane Eddy in London, but this is the first gig of the series to take place on Irish soil.
When asked why he chose to undertake the New York band's 2008 album for the gig, Hannon said that it was one of his "all-time favourite records" and praised its "ingenious marriage of indie pop, African rhythm and classical harmony.
"But mostly, it's because it kicks ass and makes me happy," he added.
Free tickets to the gig available from February 1st at thejdset.ie.
lmurphy@irishtimes.com