How well do you know either Dundrod or Mondello Park? Or to be more accurate, how fast can you lap those circuits and at the same time beat the experts?

A Room2Race computer simulator will provide the answer at the Adelaide-backed King’s Hall Motorcycle Festival this weekend when fans will be able to pit their wits against guest riders in the Nugent Hall.

“It’s good to get the punters involved with some live activity in Belfast,” said show promoter Billy Nutt. “During Friday afternoon and all day Saturday we will have qualifying sessions.”

“The grand final will be on Sunday when the public will be able to go head-to-head with the likes of the British Superbike champion Tommy Hill, Isle of Man TT specialist John McGuinness and Steve Plater who has won seven-times at the North-West 200.”

“Our own Alistair Seeley who is the British Supersport champion will also be on the grid so-to-speak along with Macau Grand Prix specialist Michael Rutter, Manxman Conor Cummins who is a former Dundrod lap record-holder and hopefully Michael Laverty who will be part of the Honda team in this year’s British Superbike championship.”

“Ballywalter’s David Lemon, an accomplished 125 cc rider, is the man behind the race simulator.”

“So far as the fans are concerned the best two will receive VIP tickets to the final round of the Adelaide Masters series at Mondello Park while £300 will go to the winning rider.”

“We will have two of these simulators which will no doubt throw-up some interesting statistics.”

“This is a huge social occasion,” added Nutt. “We have more than 70 exhibitors and that coupled with a large classic display, an auto-jumble and acrobatic demonstrations by some of our top trials riders means that there is something for everyone.”

“Andy Perry who leads the Irish trials championship will be performing some daredevil stunts while British championship motocross contender Martin Barr will also be in attendance along with Comber’s Tommy Merton who is the current Ulster MX2 champion.”

“There will be a display of the new EVO motocross bikes thanks to the involvement of Lawrence Spence and the Knock club.”

Hill is due to declare the show officially open on Friday (10 Feb.) at 2pm and it will run until 10pm.The opening times for Saturday and Sunday are 10am to 5pm on both days.

The MAC, Belfast’s brand new arts venue, today (Fri 3^rd Feb) launched its opening programme at an event hosted by broadcaster and journalist Mariella Frostrup. The launch included a series of panel discussions about the MAC’s first ever programme and about the arts sector in Northern Ireland. First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also spoke at the event and welcomed the opening of the MAC later this year. The invited guests heard messages of support from some of Northern Ireland’s most famous arts exports, including award-winning children’s author Oliver Jeffers, actress Geraldine Hughes and actor Ciaran Hinds.

The MAC supporter actress Meryl Streep added “I’m so disappointed to be unable to celebrate with you today back in the beautiful Harbour Commissioner’s Office in Belfast. When we all stood there last, back in 2007, the MAC was a wonderful dream, and now that dream has finally become a wonderful reality.  The MAC really is an amazing gift for the people of Northern Ireland.

“I’ve seen amazing photographs, and the colossal MAC building itself looks absolutely stunning – it really is an architectural gem to have in the heart of your city.  But of course the MAC is more than a building, it’s about the art, and the magic that happens inside. And I’ve had a sneak peek at the opening programme of events – it is a truly inspiring and breathtaking line-up. It’s especially exciting to see so much new theatre and dance and visual art being created in these challenging times.

“I strongly believe that the arts help us to live fuller lives, and the MAC is an invaluable new home for the arts in Northern Ireland.”

Located in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, the MAC is due to open on 20 April 2012.  When it opens, the MAC as Northern Ireland’s newest arts venue will provide local and international art, theatre, dance and music along with bars and restaurants, all under one roof.

At the launch, host Mariella Frostrup said: “The MAC is a truly wonderful addition to the cultural landscape of Northern Ireland. The programme launched today is worthy of any international venue and I am thrilled to be a part of the celebrations. I look forward to returning in the very near future to visit the MAC when it opens in April.”

Anne McReynolds, Chief Executive of the MAC said, “We are absolutely delighted today to unveil our hotly anticipated programme for the MAC.  We are counting down the days to our official opening in April and today’s a major milestone in our journey. We have all worked extremely hard to create a programme which will appeal to audiences of all ages and interests from the international art to the kids’ workshops. We can’t wait to start welcoming locals and visitors to the MAC giving them something new in the heart of the city.

“This project has been ten years in the making and with the launch of the superb opening programme, the opening of our ‘pop-up’ ticket shop on Rosemary Street, the progress with the building and the new website all launching today it makes the project very real. We are confident that that the MAC will add another layer to the cultural offer in Belfast and Northern Ireland and help put this region on the worldwide stage.”

Gillian Mitchell, Director of Programmes at the MAC, who curated the programme said: “We are very proud and excited to be opening with our own show – Titanic (Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry, 1912). This brand new MAC production written by Owen McCafferty is a riveting courtroom drama which seeks the truth behind the tragedy, uncovering the human stories of the ship’s survivors in their own words. It will be the very first show in the MAC’s 350 seat theatre, opening 22 April.”

She continued: “We are extremely dedicated to promoting and supporting the work of local theatre companies and emerging artists from Northern Ireland, alongside bringing international work to the MAC. In our galleries we are exhibiting L.S. Lowry alongside local artist William Conor, a huge installation by LA-based artist Robert Therrien, on tour from the Tate, and a video installation by Belfast-based artist Nicholas Keogh.”

Also on offer is Sweet Charity, the musical sensation of the year. The MAC has teamed up with popular Belfast-based Bruiser Theatre Company to bring this Broadway smash-hit to life. Featuring hits such as Hey, Big Spender and The Rhythm of Life, this feel-good show runs from 29 May to 17 June.

With support from local Government (DCAL, DSD and Belfast City Council), Arts Council of Northern Ireland and NITB, the MAC is a prime example of how devolved Government is working for our people and our place. Celebrating the best of home grown talent, showcasing international work and nurturing new, emerging artists in a world class facility, the MAC is set to become an iconic landmark in Northern Ireland’s cultural heritage.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “This high quality venue, supported by an investment of £5.25million of Arts Council funding, will add to the Belfast arts infrastructure. In the busy year for arts and culture ahead of us, it will also provide our talented local artists with yet more job opportunities and make a significant contribution to the city’s economy.”

The MAC will open its doors to the public on 20^th April and will be open seven days a week until late, including from 10am on Sundays. Tickets for all events are on sale now from www.themaclive.com or from the MAC’s pop up shop at 33 Rosemary Street in Belfast.

Opening programme includes:

–              William Conor & L.S. Lowry: A People Observed

–              Nicholas Keogh: A Removals Job

–              Maria McKinney: Somewhere but here, another other place

–              ARTIST ROOMS: Robert Therrien No Title (Table and Four Chairs)

–              Eithne Jordan: Small Worlds

–              Shipsides and Beggs Projects

Located at the heart of Belfast’s cultural Cathedral Quarter, the MAC is Northern Ireland’s brand new arts venue, which includes three stunning art galleries, including a closed control gallery within the impressive six-storey building.

Opening on 20^th April, the MAC’s inaugural arts programme launches with a diverse selection of exhibitions, from newly commissioned works to monumental sculptures and a historic show. With free admission to the galleries seven days a week from 10am, the MAC encourages individuals, families, groups and communities to experience new world-class facilities and exhibitions right on their doorstep.

At the heart of the MAC’s opening season is ‘A People Observed’, an exhibition that brings together, for the first time, two of our most popular artists L.S. Lowry and Belfast-born William Conor, as part of the ‘Our Time, Our Place’ celebrations of Northern Ireland’s heritage and talent. The exhibition draws on Belfast’s industrial heritage and celebrates the labour which contributed to the historical significance of cities such as Belfast, Manchester and Salford. This exhibition sees Lowry’s work coming to Northern Ireland for the very first time. It will feature alongside contemporary artists exhibited in the MAC’s other two galleries including LA-based artist Robert Therrien, and local artists Nicholas Keogh and Maria McKinney.

Cassandra Needham, Curator, the MAC said:  “We are delighted to open the MAC with such an eclectic mix of exhibitions. L.S. Lowry is one of the most popular British artists of the 20^th century, renowned for his depictions of life in the industrial districts of Northern England. Lowry’s distinctive figures are ant-like against a backdrop of factory chimneys and imposing mills, whilst the works of William Conor are more overt celebrations of working-class life; his portrayals are warm depictions of city life in his native Ulster. Both artists were born and died within a few years of each other, and their works document, without parallel, the changing landscapes of their time and the people that populated them.

“Following the celebratory theme of labour is Belfast-based artist Nicholas Keogh, whose film A Removals Job (2012) is a major new commission by the MAC. A Removals Job honours the camaraderie of a group of workers as they physically demolish a traditional two-up two-down terrace house in Belfast. Cleared of furnishings and with personal effects violently cast aside, the group are initially erratic and destructive. As the film progresses the workers – both their bodies and the objects they carry – begin to move together in intricate unison. Keogh’s film is a passionate and  humourous response to life as a manual labourer in Northern Ireland.”

Also in the MAC’s opening programme, a series of intricate installations by Dublin-based Maria McKinney explore the ideas of boredom and how best to escape it. McKinney has reconfigured an earlier work Somewhere but here, another other place (2010) for the MAC’s Sunken Gallery. Comprising second-hand domestic tables stacked to fill the gallery, the installation invites the visitor to physically explore the work, allowing it to develop as the installation unfolds.

McKinney’s installation complements and contrasts with the monumental sculptural work by Los Angeles-based Robert Therrien situated in the impressive Upper Gallery. Therrien’s work, which is part of the ARTIST ROOMS collection donated by Anthony D’Offay jointly to Tate and National Galleries of Scotland in 2008 with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund, Therrien’s colossal is entitled No Title (Table and Four Chairs) 2003 would be a typical dining set except for the fact that it stands at nearly ten feet tall. Visitors are encouraged to walk in and around the imposing sculpture, which provokes memories of childhood and – much like McKinney’s installation – asks us to reassess our sense of scale and space.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “Today’s programme launch adds another exciting layer of anticipation around the opening of the MAC and what will be a vibrant new space offering fabulous opportunities for people to participate in and enjoy the arts.”

Amy Dickson, Managing Curator, ARTIST ROOMS spokesperson, said:

“We are delighted that Robert Therrien’s No Title (Table and Four Chairs) from the ARTIST ROOMS collection will be part of the inaugural displays at the MAC. We are thrilled that this important work will be seen in Belfast by visitors to this new and important venue.”

Later in the season is an exhibition of new works by Belfast-based Shipsides and Beggs Projects, as well as the largest presentation of Eithne Jordan’s works on paper to be exhibited in Northern Ireland.

Anne McReynolds, Chief Executive of the MAC commented: “The MAC will showcase the work of our extremely talented local artists alongside those of international reputation which we hope will appeal both to regular gallery goers and to those who are experiencing the visual arts for the very first time.  There is something on offer for everyone in each of our three stunning galleries and we look forward to welcoming visitors when we open our doors in April.”

The inaugural visual art exhibitions are generously supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Here’s a little secret – if you want to really impress someone, give them an unforgettable experience. The National Trust has everything you need to make Valentines Day really special this year. With breathtaking backdrops and centuries of romantic tradition, we have everything you need to treat your loved one to a memorable day out.

Here’s a selection of our top tips for romance:

Spend the day together

There’s nothing more important on Valentines Day than spending time together. Take the exhilarating rope bridge challenge at Carrick-a-Rede and enjoy a truly unique cliff top experience.  Or wander hand in hand through the inspirational gardens at Mount Stewart.  Whatever you choose, we have everything you need to escape and spend time with each other.

Think about the backdrop

A memorable day out needs a memorable setting. The breathtaking ruins of Downhill Demesne with Mussenden Temple perched on the cliff edge are guaranteed to capture the imagination. Or for a peaceful setting head for Florence Court in Fermanagh with its glorious walks set against the dramatic backdrop of mountains and forests.

Make a stay of it

Why settle for an afternoon out? National Trust holiday cottages are in some of the most beautiful places in Northern Ireland. Relax with a short break at Butler’s Apartment in Florence Court, enjoy coastal walks on the North Coast from Portbraddan Cottage or explore the cycle and walking trails at Castle Ward with a stay in Downpatrick Gate Lodge or Potter’s Cottage.

It doesn’t have to cost the earth

You don’t have to break the bank for a great day out. With an array of coast and countryside places across Northern Ireland, a stunning location may just be right on your doorstep.  Enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of Murlough National Nature Reserve, miles of golden sand and dramatic sand dunes at Portstewart Strand and spectacular panoramic views over Belfast from Divis and the Black Mountain.

Find a quiet space

With extensive grounds on magnificent country estates, not to mention stunning walks on the coast and in the countryside, you can always find a secluded and romantic corner. Rowallane Garden is a haven for all seasons, with 52 acres of informal gardens to explore there’s plenty of space to find your moment.  Or savour the peace at Castle Coole with a stroll around the lakeside walk and discover the wildlife that live in and around Lough Coole.

Fantastic flowers

From delicate white snowdrops to colourful winter gardens, you can see stunning displays of seasonal flowers at many of our places. The Argory and Springhill have some of the best displays of delicate snowdrops; much more memorable and impressive than any bouquet.

Give a thoughtful gift

Rather than something impersonal, pick up something special to remember your day by. With a great selection of handmade delights and fine local produce, shops like the one at Mount Stewart or the Giant’s Causeway, are a great place to pick up a memento.

Colin Currie, the pioneering percussion soloist, makes a return trip to Belfast this Friday (3 February) when he performs James MacMillan’s spectacular percussion concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel in a special 20^th anniversary Ulster Orchestra performance at the Ulster Hall.

The concert, Nordic Connections, which is conducted by the Ulster Orchestra’s Principal Conductor, JoAnn Falletta features music from more northerly nations and opens with the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s elegant Holberg Suite and includes the Finnish maestro Sibelius’ powerful and evocative Symphony No.5 and the pre-eminent Scottish composer of his generation, James MacMillan’s spectacular percussion concerto.

Speaking in advance of the concert, Colin Currie said, “The MacMillan concerto is a very powerful and dramatic work that becomes very thrilling indeed when performed live. It’s music that is abundantly lyrical and extremely engaging.”

The concerto was first performed at the BBC Proms in August 1992, five years later Colin Currie was in Belfast to record it with the UO, “so it feels great to return to perform the piece in Belfast once again,” he said.

Colin will be playing an array of percussion instruments, 17 in total comprising 45 different elelments, in a piece that requires a careful balance and integration between the soloist and orchestra. “We will be working in tandem rather than one dominating the other, so I need to be quick-witted and sharp-eared during the concert to react to the various tempo changes and make sure things are truly locked in. It’s a blast!”

Looking forward to the concert, JoAnn Falletta said, “I adore these three pieces, and they are all completely different. The MacMillan Veni, Veni Emmanuel is a stunning modern work based on an ancient Advent melody, and the piece could not have a better advocate than our soloist Colin Currie.

“Grieg’s Holberg Suite is one of his masterpieces, and will give our Ulster Orchestra strings a chance to shine in extraordinary music, while Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony is an unforgettable portrait of the uniquely beautiful Finnish landscape, complete with the haunting song of the swans that so fascinated the composer.

Colin Currie will also be giving a Masterclass in the Ulster Hall on Thursday evening (2 February) at 7.30pm, part of the Ulster Orchestra’s ongoing education and outreach work. Four young percussionists will be taken through their paces by Colin. Tickets for the Masterclass and the concert are available from the Ulster Orchestra on 028 9023 9955 or at www.ulsterorchestra.com.

Carrickfergus Grammar School’s Rebecca Whiteside played a starring role at the Ulster Orchestra’s Time Travel concert for schools this week (26 February) when the Year 9 pupil conducted Northern Ireland’s only professional symphony orchestra in front of her friends and 750 students from 19 schools in Belfast’s Ulster Hall.

Thirty thousand people of all ages and musical abilities get to know the UO through its education and outreach programmes each year and this week’s free schools’ concert was the first in this year’s education programme.

Pupils (from Year 8 upwards) and teachers from schools in Counties Antrim, Down, Armagh and Tyrone got a chance to hear the story of the orchestra unfold from a small string ensemble to the 60-plus players and their instruments we see today. Telling the story, pupils were treated to a musical journey across time that started in the 17^th Century with the music of Purcell and culminated with a taste of the 21^st Century with music to the hit movie Pirates of the Caribbean.

“The programme also featured music by Handel, Mozart, Britten and Andrew Lloyd Webber,” Lydia Gamble, the Ulster Orchestra’s Head of Marketing and Development said. “Rebecca, with the help of conductor Alasdair Malloy, conducted Stravinsky’s Infernal Dance from his ballet The Firebird.”

“Time Travel is the fourth year that we have organised this successful event and once again there was a strong uptake from schools. After the Belfast concert we took the Time Travel to Derry’s Millennium Forum were 550 young people from 14 schools across Derry, Tyrone and Donegal enjoyed the concert.

“Not only has the Ulster Orchestra invested in the cultural life of Northern Ireland for 46 years now, it continues to invest in the next generation through education programmes like Time Travel. I hope Rebecca enjoyed her starring role,” Lydia said.

This year’s annual Easter Parade and Funday is taking place on Monday 9^th April.

This year’s parade will have a Diamond Masquerade theme and everyone is encouraged to join in the fun by coming along in diamond themed fancy dress. This event is accessible to everyone and we are currently recruiting local groups to come along and take part in the parade on the day.

If you work with a group, then please get in touch!  A two hour workshop will be held in the weeks prior to the event, to give people the opportunity to create diamond masquerade themed costumes and accessories to wear on the day.

If this is of interest to you and you would like to get involved in the fun please contact Stacy Eakin on 028 9127 8051 or Stacy.Eakin@northdown.gov.uk

with guests
All American Rejects & Four Year Strong
**TICKETS ON SALE NOW**

Blink-182 make a triumphant return to Ireland this Summer for dates in Dublin and Belfast on their first arena tour in almost 8 years.

All American Rejects have just been announced as main support with Four Year Strong joining the line up for the Irish shows.

Blink 182 plus special guests:

Thur 07 June 2012 – Birmingham NIA
Fri 08 June 2012 – London The O2
Sat 09 June 2012 – London The O2
Tues 12 June, 2012 – Dublin, The O2 0818 719300 All American Rejects & Four Year Strong
Wed 13 June 2012 – Belfast Odyssey Arena 028 9073 9074 All American Rejects & Four Year Strong
Fri 15 June 2012 – Manchester Arena
Sat 16 June 2012 – Birmingham LG Arena
Sun 17 June 2012 – Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
Tues 19 June 2012 – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Wed 20 June 2012 – Glasgow SECC
Sat 07 July 2012 – Bournemouth BIC
Tues 10 July 2012 – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Wed 11 July 2012 – Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Thur 12 July 2012 – Liverpool Echo Arena

TICKET INFORMATION
12 June: The O2, Dublin Tickets €44.20 inclusive of booking fee
13 June: Odyssey Arena, Belfast Tickets €38.00 inclusive of booking fee

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and online at www.ticketmaster.ie

Blink 182 were formed in San Diego in 1992 by Mark Hoppus and Tom De Longe and later joined by drummer Travis Barker. The bands breakthrough album, Enema Of The State, was released in 1999 and went on to sell in excess of 15 million copies worldwide. Their next two albums, Take Off Your Pants And Jacket (2001) and blink 182 (2003) cemented their position as a pop punk supergroup. Additionally the band have won a number of MTV Awards throughout their career. Their latest album Neighborhoods was released last year.

Tickets for blink-182 live in Ireland this June are on sale now!

For more see: www.blink182.com / www.mcd.ie / www.ticketmaster.ie

The Ulster Hall, the home of the Ulster Orchestra, will resound to the Songs of Robert Burns tonight (25 January) in Ye Banks and Braes, a spectacular Burns Night celebration concert to mark the birthday (his 253^rd) of Scotland’s National Poet.

Eddi Reader, the leading Scottish exponent of the songs of Robert Burns joins the Ulster Orchestra with her band in a unique collaboration with the Ulster-Scots Agency in a concert that brings together musicians from the Ulster-Scots and Classical traditions.

World champion piper Robert Watt from Maghera, County Londonderry, is joined on stage by the Sollus Highland Dancers and world champion drummer Mark Wilson; while the Ulster-Scots writer and poet, Wilson Burgess, will give the traditional Burns Address. The evening is presented by the Belfast actor, writer and playwright Dan Gordon and is conducted by the acclaimed conductor/composer Carl Davis.

Looking forward to the concert, which will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster, Declan McGovern, the UO’s Chief Executive said, “Tonight is a great opportunity to experience Northern Ireland’s only professional symphony orchestra in a very different setting from its regular classical concerts. We are delighted to be partnering with the Ulster-Scots Agency, in a concert which is a must for everyone who loves the songs and poetry of Robert Burns.”

The Ulster-Scots Agency’s Chief Executive, Ian Crozier said, “This will be the first collaboration to take place between the Ulster Orchestra and the Ulster-Scots Agency and we are delighted to hear that so many people will be joining us tonight to celebrate the life and works of Scotland’s best loved bard Robert Burns.

“Robert Burns holds a special place in the hearts of the Ulster-Scots, in fact the influence of Burns in Ulster is such that it was said there was a time when there were but two books in Ulster homes, The Bible and Burns. It is testament to his legacy that so many people in Ulster, Scotland and across the world hold celebrations on his birthday and that 216 years after his death, his memory lives on.”

The concert will see Eddi Reader and her band perfom an number of Robert Burns’ songs with the Orchestra, including My Love is like a Red Red Rose, Green Grow the Rashes, O and Ae Fond Kiss, with the UO also performing Malcolm Arnold’s Tam O’Shanter Overture and his Scottish Dances, with Peter Maxwell Davies’ An Orkney Wedding at Sunrise, one of the few works in the classical reportoire that features the Bagpipes. Piper Robert Watt will also perform his own piece A Hero’s Tribute for Bagpipe and orchestra.

Looking forward to the concert, Wilson Burgess, the Aghadowey poet who will give the traditional Burns Address said, “As a writer of Ulster Scot verse it is a great opportunity for me to promote the Hamely Tongue and do justice to the work of Rabbie Burns. To share the stage with the Ulster Orchestra is a privilege and an honour, for which I am most appreciative. A hope al bae al richt on the nicht!”

Asked for his thought’s on tonight’s concert, presenter Dan Gordon confessed he’d try, “Not to blub like a big Jessie when Eddi sings My love is like a red red rose or Ae fond kis!”

Tickets are still available from the Ulster Orchestra on 028 9023 9955 or at www.ulsterorchestra.com.

Dublin five piece The Riot Tapes announce their return to Northern Ireland

The band will play Auntie Annie’s in Belfast on Thursday 2^nd of February (support TBA) and Sandino’s Back Room in Derry on Friday 3^rd of February with special guest Paul Casey.

Click HERE to win tickets!

Formed in late 2009, The Riot Tapes are: Chris O’Brien, Elaine Doyle, Tim Clarke, Robert Crosbie and Graham Dunne.

The band released the single ‘Photograph’ in Ireland in April 2011 and it went straight in at number five on the Irish download charts. The Riot Tapes have since become a live favourite in Dublin, headlining and packing venues like Whelan’s, The Workman’s Club and The Grand Social.

This year The Riot Tapes went into the studio to begin work on their much anticipated debut studio album which is due for release early next year.

In October the band featured heavily on The Apprentice. ‘Photograph’ was also used for the advertising for the series on national television. The Riot Tapes even made an appearance during one of the episodes when the teams were given a task to find the best in Irish music – The Riot Tapes were even chosen by both teams!

During their previous visit to the North the band played a fabulous set at Sandino’s in Derry at which Bronagh Gallagher (singer and actress – Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, The Commitments, etc) made a surprise guest appearance.

The Riot Tapes returned to the Grand Social in December to play a special event called ‘Fighting Chance’. The gig was broadcast worldwide on the internet and was hosted by legendary broadcaster and music journalist Dave Fanning. The band were also invited to play as special guests to Ham Sandwich at their homecoming gig in Kells last month and then went on to be added as support at the Ham Sandwich New Year’s Eve Party in the Village.

‘Photograph’ has been receiving lots of radio air play nationwide since its release and the band are a must see live act.