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Articles by Jonathon Boylan
Dopamine Chamber : Fontaines D.C. Embrace Change | Review
If Romance was Fontaines D.C. breaking down the door to mainstream success, Dopamine Chamber is them locking it behind them. This is the sound of a band settling into its throne at the pinnacle of an industry it has worked tirelessly to conquer. Gone are the Pogues-like ballads about Dublin City skies and the tales of being a “cool cool kid on the curbstone scene”. Instead, Ireland’s finest lean on atmosphere, synthesisers and angst-fuelled repetition.
Nobody’s Coming to Save You Sees Gurriers Evolve | Review
Nobody’s Coming to Save You is Gurriers’ much-anticipated follow-up to their masterful debut, Come and See. Having formed during the pandemic, the five-piece led by vocalist Dan Hoff have carved out a reputation for high-octane hedonism, characterised by mosh-pit-ready gigs, an unapologetic sound and a willingness to speak their minds. Come and See was a triumph in its own right, with the interlude followed by “Top of the Bill” undoubtedly the record’s finest moment.
Gurriers: Dan Hoff on Nobody’s Coming to Save You | Interview
… honestly, Ed Sheeran made me not want to pick up a guitar when I was a kid. Nobody’s Coming to Save You, arriving September 25, is Gurriers’ much-anticipated follow-up to Come and See. Since their debut, the Dublin five-piece have established themselves as one of Ireland’s most exciting punk bands. For frontman Dan Hoff, the second Gurriers album is protest music: a call to action for the disillusioned to wake up and propel themselves forward.
Don’t Look Back In Anger | A Satisfyingly Opaque Insight into Rock and Roll’s Greatest Comeback
When Oasis announced that they were reforming after sixteen years apart in August 2024, both Liam and Noel Gallagher made it clear that they would not be speaking to the press. There would be no arm in arm appearance on the Graham Norton show, no chewing the fat with Jonathan Ross, no weird weekend with Louis Theroux (how good would that have been)? Instead, they would be preserving their newfound alliance by laying low, at least until showtime.
Adam Kelleher on his unhinged comedy short film New York Movie
Watching Adam Kelleher’s latest short film, New York Movie (a Vimeo Staff Pick), I felt as though I was witnessing Yorgos Lanthimos direct an I Think You Should Leave skit. It is an engrossing piece of work, where genuine laughs are supplemented by unsettling moments of introspection. On its face, this is a comedy about a man who, upon moving to New York, is asked by a stranger to take their photo — and loses his mind when the result seems to fall short of their expectations.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a Great Spidey Movie Trapped Inside the MCU
It is no secret that recent entries into the ever-expanding, ever-convoluted Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have been beyond a slog. Perhaps, if I were to be kind, except for Thunderbolts* (asterisks intentionally forgotten), each effort since Avengers: Endgame has been downright abhorrent. Often, the products (yes, that is what they are), to borrow the phraseology of Harry Styles, don’t even feel like movies.
‘Nobody is born evil’ | the cast behind award winning Irish short A Knock at Your Door talk misinformation and the manosphere
At a time of significant political and sociological division, Alan Hopkins’ A Knock at Your Door is an important work. The short film follows the experience of Alex (Jonathan Heed). Alex presents battered and bruised on James (Diarmuid Noyes) and Florence (Yemisi Olinloye)’s doorstep. Florence, a nurse, is eager to assist and protect Alex.
Sweet Delusion movie review | thought-provoking short film starring Pauline McLynn
This review contains spoilers. David Prendeville’s short film, Sweet Delusion, manages to pose some seriously interesting questions despite its sub-fifteen-minute runtime. The film follows criminal disaster mind Alison (Elva Trill), who is on the run, having taken a life in undisclosed circumstances. Finding shelter in what appears to be an abandoned barn, Alison is rudely, and then kindly, awoken by a grieving mother, Janet (Pauline McLynn).
“There Was Just a Romance To It” | Frank Shouldice Discusses Once We Were Punks
Frank Shouldice’s Once We Were Punks documents the renaissance of the greatest punk band you have probably never heard of. The artists formerly known as “the Panic Merchants,” now reborn as the “Sons of Southern Ulster,” are comprised of four school friends from Bailieborough in Cavan. The quartet had laid their dreams of stardom to one side in pursuit of family life, emigration and general adulthood.
Danny Dyer is mint as scummy sports agent in ropey drama One Last Deal
One Last Deal is, in some ways, a tour de force one-man show. The film, directed by Brendan Muldowney, is set entirely in the office of wheeler-dealer football agent Jimmy Banks (Danny Dyer). Nominally, the piece takes us through what must be the most stressful day of Banks’ life. He is manically trying to secure a lucrative final contract for his solitary client, a Premier League striker who is in court for rape, awaiting a verdict that very day.
DIFF 2026 Review | Once Upon a Time in a Cinema Is A Warm, Albeit Safe, Opener to the Dublin Film Festival
Having worked in a one screen cinema for five years, I went into this year’s Dublin International Film Festival opener Once Upon a Time in a Cinema with lofty expectations. For the most part, those expectations were met. David Gleeson’s ninety minute trip down memory lane exudes warmth.
Holy Show Is a Frenetic Debut from Big Sleep | Album Review
Irish-Italian four piece “Big Sleep” have been tirelessly gigging for years. They’ve gone from shows under the M50 all the way to sold out European Tours. That they managed to sustain such a run and are only now releasing their debut album is quite remarkable. Their ability to pull this off speaks to the quality of their earlier releases. Tracks predating said debut such as “Easy” and “Tall Stories” boasted a calming, almost dreamlike sound.
'Roy didn’t want to be involved'
Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa’s Saipan is guaranteed to get people talking. Although, on its face, this is about football, it plays as more of a psychological think piece than a sports film. Saipan documents the indomitable Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwicke)’s infamous bust up with Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy (Steve Coogan) before the 2002 World Cup, which of course led to the eventual departure of Ireland’s star play before the tournament had even began.
It's time to start a GoFundMe for Hollywood
Last year I had the pleasure of visiting Warner Brothers Studio in Los Angeles. I was blown away by the history of the place. It is a nerd’s paradise. To the right, seven Batmobiles. To the left, the Friends lot. In between, the lagoon where Kermit the Frog sings “Rainbow Connection,” and of course, the iconic WB water tower. Despite the sickening amounts of money behind it, it really is a special place.
Save Me From Heaven movie review | Black Mirror-esque Irish Short Film Leaves a Mark
Save Me From Heaven is the latest entry in the twenty-one year old writer and director Seán Treacy’s short film cinematic universe. In its sub-fifteen minute runtime, the piece covers quite a lot of ground: There are questions about the meaning of life, the finality of death, the transience of memories and the importance of the people we bring along the way, all packaged neatly in a (tired comparison, I know) Black Mirror-esque sci-fi plot.
'Being an actor can be frustrating — that was a massive reason why I got into making my own films' | Seán Treacy on bringing Save Me From Heaven to life - HeadStuff
At the age of twelve, most people are trying to figure out why puberty hasn’t hit as they come to terms with the earth-shattering realisation that Santa isn’t real. Seán Treacy, on the other hand, was making the first of his eleven short films. Now twenty-one, Treacy’s CV continues to grow: he is a three-time winner of Young Filmmaker of the Year, won Best Direction at the 2022 All American High School Film Festival in New York City, and was awarded the 2024 Ardmore Studios Recognition Award.
The Altered Hours Brings Light Via Darkness | Album Review
The Altered Hours, Cork’s introspective vampires, are finally emerging from their cave of self-reflection having tiptoed around Ireland’s musical zeitgeist for years. On their self-titled third album, the quintet fuse their horror-tinged gloom with a new sense of urgency. The result is more refined, more varied, and ultimately more evolved than their previous work—polished enough to suggest they’re ready for the bigger stages their live reputation has long deserved.
Psst! Wake Up Dead Man — Rian Johnson is back on top with Knives Out threequel - HeadStuff
Rian Johnson’s Knives Out films, on the face of it, at least, have no right to be this good. One need only look at horror shows like Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot franchise, the Millie Bobby Brown-fronted Enola Holmes, or 2022’s See How They Run to understand how intrinsically unwatchable a murder mystery can be.
On We Were Just Here, Just Mustard Find Joy in the Darkness
Just Mustard are young – but they are certainly not new. Having released their first album, Wednesday seven years ago, Katie Ball and co have been around a while. Now, three years on from the critically acclaimed Heart Under, the group return with We Were Just Here. The Dundalk natives’ output has always been fascinating. Warped guitars, distorted bass, and Ball’s haunting vocals make Just Mustard feel more like an immersive sonic experience than a traditional band.
After the Hunt movie review | Guadagnino’s #MeToo drama is an unrelenting mess
Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt is the latest entry in a bizarre string of thought pieces, (see Apple TV’s The Morning Show), which appear to aim to explore the hypocrisy of cancel culture, pushing back against “#MeToo” and “woke” by asking one central question – “yeah but, did he really do it?” At least, that’s what I think it was.
Brógeal are Alive with Celtic Pride on Tuesday Paper Club
Falkirk’s Brógeal, with their much-awaited debut album Tuesday Paper Club, are in esteemed company. Celtic authenticity is enjoying an undeniable renaissance in music. Oasis and their Mancunian twang are once again the biggest band in the world. Americans are singing “Charleen” as though they were from the Liberties in ode to Fontaines D.C.’s Grian Chatten, and Taylor Swift is laughing at Lewis Capaldi on Graham Norton, employing his Glaswegian tongue to tell the people of Leeds to fuck off.
John Connors and Vicky Krieps are Exceptional in Jim Sheridan's reimagining of Toscan du Plantier murder trial - HeadStuff
The concept of a jury is a fascinating one. Twelve strangers are plucked from the monotony of their everyday lives and locked in a stuffy room for weeks on end, sustained only by machine coffee and three square meals. Separated from their families, they sit through days – sometimes weeks – of legal argument before being asked to decide whether somebody they have never met is guilty of the crime they are accused of. The stakes could not be higher, nor the consequences more profound.
'It’s Good to Feel That You’re Trying to Get to the Bottom of Something to Alleviate Pain'
Releasing in cinemas nationwide October 3, famed Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan and David Merriman’s Re-Creation uses one of Ireland’s most infamous cold cases, the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, to cast light on what Sheridan repeatedly refers to as an ongoing battle “between fact and fiction”. For those who are unfamiliar with the case, Toscan du Plantier was murdered in December 1996 in her adopted home of Schull in West Cork.
Sunphlowers movie review | Anne McCrudden is a marvel in heartfelt Irish drama
Writer-director Dave Byrne’s Sunphlowers proves that movies centred around death can tell you quite a lot about life. The film follows middle-aged widow Catherine (Anne McCrudden), who in the aftermath of her husband’s death must face up to financial difficulty, isolation, and revelations surrounding her husband’s infidelity. In doing so, she must also keep a family of three, Eva (Abigail O’Regan), Liam (Paul McQuaid) and Paul (Tadgh Snodgrass), in one piece.
'Everyone Would Have Done it for Free'
Dave Byrne’s Sunphlowers leaves a mark. The film follows Catherine (Anne McCrudden), a grieving widow who in the aftermath of her husband’s death discovers a string of irresponsible financial choices and infidelity. Byrne’s script uses Catherine’s experience to explore broader themes of rural isolation, grief, self-discovery, and the importance of family as a whole.
Have At It! Is DUG Doing Stomp-Clap Music Right
DUG’s debut album Have At It! is the long-awaited arrival of a duo who first turned heads as buskers on Grafton Street. Armed with a banjo, a metal-plated guitar, and ankle tambourines keeping perfect time, Conor (Lorkin) O’Reilly and Johnny Pickett created the sound and energy of a full band on their own. Their sharp musicianship and lively crowd work quickly made them one of the most exciting live acts around, and now Have At It! bottles that same spirit for a wider audience.
NewDad Deliver A Reflective, Exciting Sermon on Altar
Almost two years after the release of their debut album Madra, NewDad return with Altar. Since Madra, (praised by Robert Smith and Johnny Marr) the Galwegians find themselves in a different place – geographically, numerically, and psychologically. They have left their beloved homeland to relocate to London. They are also now a three piece, following the departure of their bass player, Cara Joshi.
The Courageous movie review | Ophelia Kolb is sensational in deeply affecting character study
The Courageous (Les Courageux) documents a period in the life of a single mother living in a small town on the edge of dense forestry. The mother, Jule (Ophelia Kolb), is on the face of things a rebel, who refuses to conform by society’s rules. Naturally, she faces persistent backlash and cruelty from those around her as a result.
Why Oasis Still Matter: A Fan’s View
On the 16th and 17th of August, those who were lucky (or committed) enough to beat Ticketmaster and dynamic pricing, will have the chance to see Oasis live in Ireland for the first time since 2009. Having just seen the band, I attempt to unpack what it is that makes Oasis special, and why their reunion announcement last year sent most of not only the country, but the world, into meltdown. I, along with 79,999 others, was lucky enough to see Oasis play a homecoming gig at Manchester’s Heaton Park.
John Doran: "I’m so happy to be opposite people I’ve been watching my whole life." - HeadStuff
I first became aware of John Doran during his memorable performance in the Tony Cantwell led “Bureau de Change” Eurovision parody song contest. Therein, each performer represented a country and performed a comedic musical ballot. Doran’s performance as a confused Irish “Orangeman” Nationalist, on behalf of the Netherlands, was the type of thing that lives long in the memory.
The Assassination of Michael D. Higgins movie review | sharp social commentary loaded with laughs
An arresting title for an intricate short film, The Assassination of Michael D. Higgins admirably covers considerable ground with its modest ten minute runtime. In a script penned by and starring John Doran (Sherlock, Little Town Big Story), alongside Natalie Britton (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Maxine) and acclaimed actor, poet and playwright Seamus O’Rourke, there is everything from humour to social commentary – as well as a healthy dose of the despondency one might associate with the latter.
DIFF 2025 Review | Football Comedy Fran the Man is a Feel Good Triumph, and a Love Letter to the Irish Everyman
Boasting a number of household names from Irish comedy’s past and present under the direction of Stephen Bradley, Fran the Man is a film of inherent charm and undeniable heart. The throwback mockumentary format follows the titular Fran, a hapless, unpaid assistant manager at his local amateur football club, St.Peters Athletic.
Saoirse Ronan Soars in Deeply Affecting Character Study The Outrun
Oscar Wilde wrote that “the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself, with desire for what its monstrous laws have made monstrous and unlawful.” German director Nora Fingschiedt’s The Outrun, an adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s 2016 memoir, emphatically disproves Wilde’s thesis.
Irish Boxing Thriller Swing Bout Delivers a Genuinely Unique Take on the Sports Genre
Maurice O’Carroll’s Swing Bout describes itself as a boxing film without a ring. However, the film still packs a punch. Rather than retelling the well-worn Hollywood sports tale, where a plucky underdog overcomes adversity to inevitably (and predictably) triumph, O’Carroll offers a far more interesting take on the genre.
Ben Condron: “My ADHD Helps Me to Bring a Good Energy Wherever I Go" - HeadStuff
He may already be familiar to large sections of the population thanks to roles in A Date for Mad Mary, Fair City and a viral performance as a bemused barber alongside Instagram sensation Darren Conway. However, Ben Condron’s performance as the slimy, menacing yet ultimately laired and amusingly corrupt boxing promoter Jack in Maurice O’Carroll’s Swing Bout, has the potential to transform him into a real household name.
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