A full week of live entertainment to enjoy at home

By Chris Bowes
IT’S been another fantastic week of live entertainment from local and international stars who have been going ‘Live’ for us through their social media channels, providing a much needed and appreciated lift to our spirits during these increasingly uncertain and challenging times.

Another weekend is upon us and again, we’re not short of talent, check out some of my picks for the week ahead below and as always keep checking out hiwhatson.com on Facebook and online, where we’ll be sharing all of the links to these shows as and when they go live. Stay home, stay safe and have a healthy and happy week ahead.

Thursday, April 23
• DJ 2J’S – Local DJ, JJ Quinn has put together a very special three hour show tonight in celebration and thanks to our front line workers. JJ’s Rave For The Brave will take place from 5pm, ending just in time for the weekly, Clap for our Carers at 8pm.
• Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol) – Snow Patrol frontman, Gary Lightbody will be back with his weekly live stream at 8.05pm on Facebook and 9.05pm on Instagram.
• Rian Murphy – Local musician playing indie pop and rock covers with some originals thrown in for good measure from 8.15pm on Facebook Live.

Friday, April 24
• Shane Todd’s Rave Lockdown – 90 minutes of dance classics on
BBC Radio Ulster from 6pm with comedians Shane Todd and Dave Elliott.
• Tour Alaska – Tour Alaska is the solo project of ‘A Plastic Rose’ front man Gerry Norman, expect to hear A Plastic Rose and Tour Alaska songs + indie/rock covers from 7.30pm on Facebook live.
• Jonny Kirwan – ‘False Friends’ frontman Jonny, returns this week at 8pm on Facebook Live with some of his bands most popular songs and requests.
• Sean Magee  is back for his Friday night residency at 9pm.
• Comedian Terry McHugh will be doing a special live performance of his debut stage show from 2013 ‘My Other Car Is A Delorian’ live from his kitchen at 9pm.

Saturday, April 25
• Brand New Friend – The brilliant ‘Brand New Friend’ from the North Coast return with their second wave of live lockdown gigs at 8pm on Facebook and Instagram live, these guys are one of my favourite NI bands and bring tonnes of energy to each show!
• The Logues – Kiel and Logan are back at 8pm with covers and some originals from The Logues back catalogue at 8pm.
• Davy K – The Davy K Project returns at the new time of 9pm for some classic rock and blues covers.
• DJ 2J’s – It wouldn’t be a Saturday night without JJ, normally starting around 10.30pm and playing until the wee hours its a Saturday night must at this stage.

Sunday, April 26
• Johnny Gallagher – Boxtie front man Johnny Gallagher is back with his Sunday night sessions from 8pm.
• Rory and The Island – one of the highlights of last weeks shows for me, if you’re not sure who this is yet, check him out from 8pm, you won’t be disappointed.

Monday, April 27
• Barry Kirwan returns with his regular Monday night show on Facebook and Instagram live from 8pm. This week’s show was incredible with guests including brothers Jonny and Colm Kirwan as well as Colm’s wife Caitríona joining him.

Tuesday, April 28
• Aslan’s Christy Dignam has been doing a Tuesday night gig on his Facebook page for the last couple of weeks and that’s always worth checking out, usually between 8/8.30pm.
• Ruby Sessions – The Ruby Sessions are live every Tuesday night at 9pm with incredible guests each week. Previously The Coronas, Lisa Hannigan, Villagers, Gavin James and JC Stewart to name just a few have been on.

Wednesday, April 29
• All Folk’d Up – Barry and Pauric Mohan return with requests and originals from lively Irish Folk band, All Folk’d Up from 8pm.