NO ENCORE

Roll up, roll up. NO POPCORN returns with a modern arthouse classic – 2015's dizzying one-take triumph Victoria. As noted on the episode, we strongly urge you to watch this film knowing as little as possible so go and do that when you can. As for the episode, Dave, Higgs and Norma are joined by Victoria super-fan Daithí as the quartet get lost in a dreamlike Berlin, fall madly in love with Nils Frahm's stunning score and ponder what they would do in the title character's shoes. ACT ONE: What We've Been Watching. ACT TWO [20:35]: Victoria discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stay safe, wear a mask. As the lockdown baton passes from Craig to Dave, the NO ENCORE boys ponder the latest Top 50 from the so-called paper of record. Elsewhere, there's a review of the new Everything Everything album and a Top 5 concerning the calendar. Craig has a reason for that selection, and it's a good one.ACT ONE [2:31]: A busy news week brings yet another contentious list, Noel Gallagher demands to see the manager, a doom-laden comeback mounts and why Madonna is the best person to make a film about Madonna.ACT TWO [28:41]: Math-rock heroes Everything Everything return with RE-ANIMATOR and are rewarded with an all-time Dave Link for their troubles. Do the celebrations stop there, though?ACT THREE [48:09]: Tis the season. This week's Top 5 face-off brings a host of occasion-related songs to the forefront.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's about that time. Dave and Craig rock up for another round of NO ENCORE mayhem as a duelling top five brings the best - and worst - out of your beloved hosts. There's another notable return in the form of Doves, back with their first album in 11 years. Throw in some news items and baby, you've got yourself a music podcast.ACT ONE [5:52]: County Mayo and ukuleles feel Craig's wrath, Dave debates the merits of Post Malone's pivot to the wine game and Miley Cyrus puts Joe Rogan in his place. Good on her.ACT TWO [24:12]: Manchester trio Doves shake off the cobwebs to deliver The Universal Want, their first long-player engagement in over a decade. Are we glad to have them back? ACT THREE [42:06]: Comebacks can really go either way. We look at both sides of the coin as Craig delivers arguably his most razor-sharp top five yet. Dave, on the other hand... Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dreaded technical difficulties strike but the NO ENCORE team powers through. We're all just doing our best, right? Can the same be said for UK dance titans Disclosure and their third album? What about songs related to the school experience? And did *anyone* watch the MTV VMAs? ACT ONE [6:02]: Award shows, governmental brainwaves, surreal futuristic cities and disastrous festivals - it's the news.ACT TWO [29:04]: The brothers Lawrence return after five years as Disclosure aims to instill copious amounts of Energy into the world. Mission accomplished or better luck next time?ACT THREE [48:26] BACK TO SCHOOL! No, not the Deftones song that was needlessly bolted onto the stunning White Pony but rather a clutch of other tunes associated with the trials and tribulations of getting an education. It's the Top 5!NO ENCORE is on Patreon! Help support the show on patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back at it as another August weekend looms towards the grey and dreary. NO ENCORE is a ray of sunshine by comparison, of course. Dave and Craig sift through yet another contentious rundown, throw out their own shouts for the most noteworthy fictional musical acts and enlist a friend to talk about The Killers and their latest album.ACT ONE: Vice did a top 50 about landfill indie. The boys react accordingly. Elsewhere in the news cycle, Van Morrison makes a couple of spurious claims, Spotify reveal a list of their own, Bill & Ted want to clear something up and there's conflicting views on the Nirvana-soundtracked trailer for THE BATMAN.ACT TWO [31:51]: The Killers are back with sixth studio album Imploding the Mirage. Singer-songwriter and noted Killers supporter Carlo Magliocco joins the fray.ACT THREE [1:01:24] This week's top five concerns musical acts of a fictional nature, derived from film, TV and possibly other pop culture forums, too.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Too often accused of 'hating The Beatles', Dave sets out to prove once and for all... that Yesterday is a complete shambles of a cinematic enterprise. Norma and Higgs are also present with their own hot takes on the Danny Boyle / Richard Curtis musical train-wreck that quite a lot of people flocked to in the summer of 2019.ACT ONE: What We've Been Watching including emotive arthouse affairs, cancelled filmmakers, corpse-kills and more.ACT TWO [23:30] Imagine a world in which nobody remembered the music of The Beatles. Now imagine that Richard Curtis came along, *allegedly* fucked over another writer who came up with that premise and proceeded to make YESTERDAY. Enjoy?Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's get emotional. NO ENCORE is back with a stacked agenda in the form of a devastating Top 5 face-off, the first Bright Eyes album in almost a decade and the absolute STATE of the Irish government...ACT ONE: Craig's got mail.ACT TWO [8:46]: Confusion reigns over the status of small Irish gigs in the time of Covid-19 and the government really isn't helping. Dave chats with Vinny Casey of The Workman's Club about a difficult week for artists and promoters.ACT THREE [23:35]: Further news items of interest including Cher's pivot to public service, Broooooce stanning LDR, and a specialist record store that we hope to visit one day. ACT FOUR [39:36]: Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes return after a long absence with some apocalyptic revelry in the form of Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was. Sounds just about right for 2020, OR DOES IT?ACT FIVE [59:26]: Let the tears fall where they may. Songs That Make You Cry time. Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave is proud of that top five moniker but will he be as happy when the actual rundown occurs? Only one way to find out, dear listener, as NO ENCORE returns for a brand new episode set against a backdrop of a ferocious dead heat.ACT ONE [4:51]: A whimsical news section takes in the American Song Contest, yet more problematic concert gatherings, Nick Cave addressing cancel culture, Lewis Capaldi cancelling himself and why you maybe shouldn't go down to the woods today.ACT TWO [31:22]: Beloved art-pop outfit Glass Animals bounce back from a near-death experience to take us into their Dreamland. Are the guys up for the high-concept adventure?ACT THREE [52:32]: The top five is here as Songs About Animals roar into focus. Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE does the 'movies and music' blender mix again as Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams do their utmost to pay respect to the most beloved European knockout music competition there's ever been. Dave, Higgs and Norma may be a touch less enamoured. We'll see.ACT ONE: What We've Been Watching featuring about 10 minutes on Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy because that never goes out of style. Speaking of, there's some professional wrestling chatter, too. ACT TWO [30:25]: The main event. Who is this film for, exactly? Is Will Ferrell the right guy for this project? What's going on with Pierce Brosnan's accent? And should Dan Stevens be the next James Bond?Every episode of NO POPCORN at this Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZySbtR8kzkRdsEcJa1Y22?si=n6-9c6zTTEeR2uturRlGlA Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer? Autumn? Who the hell knows. Whatever the weather, NO ENCORE is here.Another stacked edition on the cards as Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick review Fontaines D.C.'s latest attempt at making the best guitar album ever made before clashing with gusto over their shouts for most intriguing music-based rivalries and feuds...POD HEREACT ONE [8:29]: News-based items of interest.ACT TWO [22:36]: Popular Dublin beat collective Fontaines D.C. return with sophomore adventure A Hero's Death. Dave and Craig weren't all that bowled over by Dogrel last year. Second time's a charm?ACT THREE [42:58]: Fight! Fight! Fight! Top 5 Rivalries & Feuds time. Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We did it guys, we made it through July! Take a moment, celebrate. Then listen to our latest episode, which is a joyous affair. Dave and Craig throw down on the apparently literally perfect new Taylor Swift album and then duke it out Top 5-style with a whole host of strange link-ups; good, bad and very, very ugly. ACT ONE [5:39]: Coronavirus continues to have its way with the NO ENCORE news section but it's mostly alright, Lars Ulrich and Dave see eye-to-eye on one of music's most long-running battles and Aaron Dessner is a terrible father.ACT TWO [17:14]: We do love a big new music release on this podcast so let's really drill down on Taylor Swift, folklore and the surrounding noise, shall we? ACT THREE [46:28]: A Top 5 that really runs the gauntlet as emotive, painful, offensive and sometimes beautiful shouts dominate the Unusual Collaboration rundown.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the weekend, it's NO ENCORE. Maybe it's the weekday. Up to you when you choose to listen, really.This week, Dave and Craig mull over a fresh top five that finds them slaughtering acts they generally adore or at the very least admire quite a bit. There's also a jam-packed news section and an album review. Stacked, so it is...ACT ONE [4:12]: Loads of music news including the Mercury Prize nominations, disaster for the Gavin James-fronted Live at the Drive-In series, nu metal alive and well, Linkin Park versus Donald Trump and wait, what's that? Peter Hook has something to say about New Order? ACT TWO [44:46]: Jarvis Cocker is back with his JARV IS... project. Dave thinks it's a mite pretentious. What of Craig, though? What of Craig? ACT THREE [57:34]: Time to put some sacred cows out to pasture as the boys dive into Songs You Hate By Artists You Love.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a while, as yer man from Staind once warbled.NO ENCORE's music x movies spin-off comes in from the cold as Dave Hanratty, David Higgins and Norma Howard return with thoughts on two biopic-type efforts; Control and 24 Hour Party People. Both focus on the rise and fall of Joy Division, while also making considerable room for the wider 'Madchester' scene of the 70s and 80s. Which film better captures Ian Curtis? Is it possible to divorce Steve Coogan from Alan Partridge? Are the Happy Mondays the worst band of all time? All these questions and more considered on this here edition. ACT ONE: A lengthy enough 'What We've Been Watching' catch-up.ACT TWO [29:00]: Let's talk about Control and 24 Hour Party People.Every episode of NO POPCORN is now available at this Spotify playlist: https://spoti.fi/2OYYHl3 Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The boys are back in town remotely as Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick reconvene after a couple of weeks of rotating co-hosts. Reunited and it feels so good, et cetera. On the NO ENCORE agenda this week? Why, the definitive, ironclad, undisputed Best Irish Albums of All Time, our shouts for the finest non-English language songs out there and the return of Rufus Wainwright.ACT ONE [2:51]: A packed news section kicks off with a controversial Irish Times list before pivoting to the likes of Versatile, Kanye West, Ricky Martin, Kelly Rowland and Alanis Morisette.ACT TWO [33:25]: Acclaimed troubadour Rufus Wainwright is back with Unfollow The Rules, his first album of original material in eight years. Worth the wait? ACT THREE [48:09]: The boys go globe-trotting (not literally, there's a pandemic) with their latest Top 5 smackdown.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sure, the NO ENCORE massive has been clamouring for a Craig Fitzpatrick solo joint, but you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. A far more appealing prospect, in truth, is the appearance of Bandwagons co-host (and all-round top-tier social media-r) Fionnuala Jones on the second mic.She’s packing her trademark positive vibes and infectious energy (and it’s kinda needed!) as the pair navigate the decidedly choppy waters of an extremely busy week in music. Continuing Kanye sagas, court cases, legendary composers passing, posthumous album releases and Harry Styles soothing our brows – it really is, all happening.Oh, and Fionnuala also brings a Top 5 theme FOR THE AGES, as we run through the very greatest songs involving telecommunications. Will Big Lionel feature?! Listen on…ACT ONE: Catchin’ up with FJ. Fionnuala fills us in on her pandemic experience, as Craig gloats about Zoom quiz success. ACT TWO [9:46]: News! Kanye West gets real about his presidential run in a rambling Forbes interview and it’s really quite worrying. We pay homage to the legendary Ennio Morricone, look at the fallout surrounding the domestic assault conviction of Kasabian’s Tom Meighan, and… have a bunch of far lighter stories to put a smile on your face, we swear!ACT THREE [48:34]: 50 Cent went above and beyond to pull together Pop Smoke’s debut album Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon following the young NY drill icon’s tragic passing in February. It’s already made a big splash on the charts, but does the feature-laden record do his talent justice?ACT FOUR [1:03:30]: Craig and Fionnuala compare their Top 5 songs involving phone calls. Spoiler alert: bangers galore.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I'll try and get next week's episode down to an hour-and-a-half," Dave said.So much for that as NO ENCORE returns with another epic voyage. Craig sits this one out to celebrate his birthday and so the dulcet tones of Zara Hedderman return with the co-host assist. Together, she and Dave detail their best (Zara) and worst (Dave) songs by siblings in this week's Top 5 smackdown.Before that, Ailbhe Reddy is present for that rarest of pandemic events; an actual in-person interview. She talks new single 'Time Difference', touring plans falling into disarray, her forthcoming album, starting her own label, her participation as one of the Irish Women in Harmony and last week's Irish Radio Gender Disparity Report.All that and the bop-heavy Jessie Ware album in review...ACT ONE: Zara has a new job.ACT TWO [9:07]: News! Phoebe Bridgers makes a huge 1975-themed statement, Dustin the Turkey runs afowl of Niall Horan stans, the American entertainment scene battles Covid-19, and a great music publication could use your help.ACT THREE [33:08]: The great Ailbhe Reddy in conversation.ACT FOUR [1:09:27]: What's Your Pleasure? asks Jessie Ware. Dave and Zara contemplate accordingly. ACT FIVE [1:25;09]: The very best and worst songs made by siblings. Quite the contrast this week.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE returns with an absolutely packed episode for your weekend. Or week day. It's up to you when you tune in, really. This week, we look at the recently published Gender Disparity Data Report, which asks serious questions of Irish radio and women's airplay status thereof. David Tapley of Tandem Felix fame joins us on the co-host beat, the new Bob Dylan album is up for discussion (crazy artwork also under the spotlight) and our extended Top 5 section is all about LONG SONGS.ACT ONE: Preamble. ACT TWO [10:10]: Áine Tyrrell is one of the key figures involved in bringing the Gender Disparity Data Report to light. She tells Dave about how it came about, what needs to be done to achieve balance, and how we can all play our part. ACT THREE [30:19]: Also in the news this week; Jessie Ware's podcast influence, K-Pop fans sabotage Trump, Kurt Cobain's guitar fetches a handsome price, and some general quarantine hygiene talk. ACT FOUR [46:09] Young upstart Bob Dylan is back with Rough and Rowdy Ways, his 39th studio effort. Reviews have been rave enough so far, but are the boys convinced? ACT FIVE [1:12:50] In which the beloved Top 5 section tackles Best Long Songs (10 minutes or more) in fittingly epic fashion.Hungry for more Bob Dylan? Tapley has made a fine playlist right here.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the words of Antonio Banderas in the ludicrous Desperado... let's play.In honour of a major release, Dave and Craig get involved in all things video game music for this week's top five face-off. Tis an energetic one, and there's even a special guest. Elsewhere, we hear from musician and healthcare professional Jamie Adam as the 'when are gigs coming back?' horizon continues to look quite blurry, plus all the usual news and happenings.ACT ONE [5:08]: The aforementioned news and happenings.ACT TWO [37:12] Jamie Adam on the juggling act that is making music and being a full-time health worker during a global pandemic.ACT THREE [54:00]: Plug in to our video game music forum.ACT FOUR [1:37:23]: With Dave's number one selection revealed, we chat with an Irish musician that wound up featuring on that very soundtrack. Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another week, another edition of NO ENCORE.Lockdown begins to ease but there's no let-up for Dave as an old foe seizes the opportunity for inspired revenge. Elsewhere, the boys get into the new Run the Jewels record and mourn the loss of this year's UEFA European Football Championship by scouring the globe for the strangest songs that concern the beautiful game...ACT ONE: The preamble bit where we preamble for a bit.ACT TWO [8:30]: Dave receives deserved Strypes-themed comeuppance, the music industry vows to do better, a rich list emerges, and Corey Taylor's reputation is brought into question.ACT THREE [31:14] Run the Jewels return when the world may just need them the most. RTJ4 is a high-octane hip-hop experience. Are Killer Mike and El-P back on form? Let's find out.ACT FOUR [51:38] Top 5 Bizarre Football Songs~! Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello to you, NO ENCORE listener.First up, some important links to consider this week and beyond:SUPPORTING BLACK LIVES MATTER FROM IRELAND: https://bit.ly/2MueOp9 THIS LAND documentary, directed by Bobby Zithelo: https://bit.ly/2XxhaKi Email Fine Gael Ministers to call for an end to Direct Provision: https://bit.ly/3gZh9GH This week, you'll hear from Max Zanga of Tebi Rex and MuRli of Rusangano Family - do not miss his brand new single, out now, nor Tebi Rex's new single next week - as both men offer insight, experience, knowledge and perspective that we can all benefit from listening to.Later in the show, we've got a simultaneously heavy and ridiculous news section to contend with before laying down our shouts for the best album closing tracks.ACT ONE: Preamble.ACT TWO [6:50]: Max Zanga in conversation.ACT THREE [40:00]: MuRli in conversation. ACT FOUR [1:03:56]: Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin, a grim rhythm section, Hot Press in hot water, Gavin James revs up the engine, and the launch of a hugely important initiative for Irish musicians.ACT FIVE [1:35:51]: Top 5 Best Album Closers.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The long weekend descends as your NO ENCORE duo head underground for one of their deepest and oddest of Top 5 dives yet. We also turn our critical gaze upon a talked-about trio from Limerick to see if their chilly post-punk will soundtrack our summer. ACT ONE: Craig dials in from a land with no water supply, Dave’s winningly lubricated… it’s our weekly catch-up. ACT TWO [2:42]: Gigs are returning to Ireland! But you need a car! And a tolerance for sensitive yet anthemic indie pop! Gavin James explains how he’s healing the nation, as Craig and Dave throw some spitballs from the back of the classroom. Then it’s off to a haunted castle in Germany to catch up with a stranded Bolivian orchestra. Elsewhere, the (separate) Taylor Swift and Brian May news section sagas rumble on…ACT THREE [23:43]: … And rumbling into view, it’s Bleeding Heart Pigeons with their sophomore effort, Stir. A week on from dissecting The 1975’s ginormous new LP, we're on the big New Romantic, ‘80s vibes yet again. Quite a number of tunes as well. Question is: are they a band out of time or an act so striking that they’ll drag this guitar sound back into the spotlight?ACT FOUR [36:13]: Our Top 5 main event finds us exploring the weirdest (and most oddly beguiling) subgenres we’ve ever encountered in our respective years in the music journalism game. There’s buried treasure here, for sure, alongside stuff that’s borderline unlistenable – join us on this wild ride.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let them fight. Welcome back to NO ENCORE's movies-and-music hybrid as Dave Hanratty, David Higgins and Norma Howard reunite remotely for another exciting NO POPCORN.It's a mammoth episode, this one - all hail Sonic Architect Adam and his unerring patience - as we compare and contrast two epic titans from 2007 in the form of There Will Be Blood and, deep breath, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.So much to discuss here, from Daniel Day-Lewis and Brad Pitt's towering performances to how these films look, and, but of course, how they sound with Jonny Greenwood, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis pulling the respective musical strings.ACT ONE: Letterboxd expectations versus Letterboxd reality, an attempt to see the world from the comfort of the couch, a handful of intriguing TV options and a very blunt assessment of Tom Hardy's Capone.ACT TWO [23:30]: The main event as our chosen films come into lengthy, elegiac focus. Support NO ENCORE / NO POPCORN on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the goddamn weekend and NO ENCORE is here to tap you on the shoulder in a socially-distant fashion and ask if you want to talk about music. You do? Awesome, let's go! This week, Dave and Craig review the brand new album from pop titans The 1975, make the case for pop songs they think should have been number one the world over, and rejoice at Spotify's newest addition...ACT ONE: High drama and a shocking announcement.ACT TWO [8:46]: It's the news as a classic song turns 30, Lana Del Rey pisses just about everyone off, Eddie Vedder and Dennis Rodman go to a gig, Lorde sends us all a gushing email and Roger Waters has some Internet issues.ACT THREE [28:26]: 80 minutes, 22 tracks and Notes on a Conditional Form - The 1975 are back. In response, the boys spend half an hour dissecting one of the more major album releases of the year. ACT FOUR [57:37]: Our Top 5 main event steals in as pop bangers that deserve a great deal more love go dance beneath a glittering spotlight. Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another week of lockdown crawls to an end as the NO ENCORE boys signal the weekend. Rejoice.This week, Dave and Craig scrape the bottom of the written word barrel as they line up their shouts for worst lyrics in the latest top five face-off. There's a busy news section, too, not to mention a legitimately unique album review.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore ACT ONE [3:13]: Little Richard RIP, further major festivals down, Dave Grohl hails the live music experience (as NO ENCORE Dave questions it), Irish legends clash and Bono gets lucky on his 60th. ACT TWO [28:36]: Opposing shouts for the album review leads the boys to meet in the middle and explore what the kids are supposedly listening to these days.ACT THREE [41:11]: TOP 5 WORST LYRICS~! Horrific yet cathartic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Full disclosure: annoyingly, the headline ‘Brian May Hospitalised After Tearing Buttock Muscles While Gardening’ broke after we recorded. Who’s to say whether we would have mentioned it, right?Fuller disclosure: we temporarily drop a show section… but pick up a beloved special guest!Fullest disclosure: Craig’s cheery prediction that “maybe this episode will come in at about 45 minutes” proved extremely incorrect…ACT ONE: You could probably guess a meaty ep was in store from the preamble, which includes detours into boomer shopping etiquette, Craig’s cat leading a double life and some ferocious David Crosby support for our long-running Doors-based vitriol.ACT TWO: To far sadder matters, as we lose two giants of music this week. We look back at the diverging but equally towering legacies of Afrobeat legend Tony Allen and Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider. Elsewhere, life finds a way. We congratulate Grimes and Elon Musk on the arrival of X Æ A-12 (really isn’t meant to read sarcastically). Then use it as a jumping-off point for a ‘Guess The Musician’s Kid’s Name’ game. Shout out to Jermajesty Jackson, as always.There’s also talk of drive-in gigs, the live music situation in general, the possibility of a Bohemian Rhapsody sequel and plenty more.ACT THREE: Our duelling Top 5s: Best Album Openers. Another one where the choices were plentiful and the shortlists not so short. Lots of mutual rhapsodising over excellent sounds this week – although it does kick off with one particular Dave choice being hugely (if inadvertently) undermined by his co-host from the get-go.Finally, our glorious patrons will know this already, but if you’re at all able to show some support over at patreon.com/noencore, we’re now posting full Top 5 write-ups each week. Hopefully just the start of extra bits and bobs for patrons’ eyes/ears only! Much love, stay safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IT'S THE SUMMER~! Get in! Seriously, stay in. NO ENCORE returns with a week of mostly no coronavirus-related news items, Car Seat Headrest's vague attempt to leap to the mainstream and a string of summer songs that should - mostly - lift the spirits.ACT ONE: General chatter. ACT TWO [5:55]: News! We've got a high-profile TV firing, talk of a major pop reunion, awkward mix-ups and the future of Daft Punk to discuss.ACT THREE [30:48]: Car Seat Headrest return with new album Making a Door Less Open. Dave dives in relatively blind while long-term kinda-fan Craig ponders deeply.ACT FOUR [45:51]: We may not have an idyllic few months ahead but we've got tunes. It's duelling rundown time as the boys select their favourite solar-powered numbers. Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh, brother. It's a big one as the NO POPCORN team of Hanratty, Higgins and Howard re-convene to shine a light on the genuinely incredible BROS: AFTER THE SCREAMING STOPS.A documentary on par with Metallica: Some Kind of Monster and This Is Spinal Tap sees two brothers warring with each other and their own colossal, bruised egos as a race against time ticks down in the background. Truly jaw-dropping stuff. ACT ONE: What We've Been Watching including early Coen Brothers, recent arthouse fare and a ringing endorsement for the deeply compelling Sunderland 'Til I Die.ACT TWO [20:00]: The main event comes screaming into focus as Matt and Luke Goss take centre stage. Were/are Bros any good? Do you wind up rooting for them here? Have they been stitched up by the filmmakers? Can we possibly pick just one quote to highlight? And the most important question of all; Team Matt or Team Luke? Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back at it for another week as Dave and Craig indulge in some highly cathartic critical takedowns of critical gushing. That's right, this week's top five is all about slaying some sacred cows. Figuratively speaking, of course. There's also the small - perhaps related? - matter of the new Fiona Apple to consider...ACT ONE: Your faithful 'Hey, it's barely a preamble anymore!' preamble.ACT TWO [5.01]: A barren enough news section this week sees mass gatherings take a major hit, an Irish legend disgraced AGAIN and Brandon Flowers' feelings on Steven Patrick Morrissey. ACT THREE [17:13]: Fiona Apple returns with Fetch The Bolt Cutters. The world reckons it's a literally perfect album. What do the NO ENCORE boys make of it?ACT FOUR [41:26]: Most. Overrated. Albums. It's time. Will a decade-long friendship be the same afterwards? Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your NO ENCORE listening experience returns following a nice long weekend in which we holidayed to other rooms of the house. Exotic stuff. This week, Craig tries to rein himself in while discussing The Strokes, Dave visits Sweden via the magic of video calling, and there's a top five deep dive with brevity at the forefront...ACT ONE [5:45]: News, featuring various hot takes on Covid-19, further cancellations and 10 years of "pure mothafuckin' magic".ACT TWO [25:34] Dave chats with arts and culture journalist Derek Robertson, who managed to go to actual real-life gigs in recent days. ACT THREE [36:49]: The Strokes return to usher in The New Abnormal.ACT FOUR [54:48]: The boys run down their favourite songs that get their business done inside two minutes. Lively, this one.Support NO ENCORE at patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The episode in which Dave was like, come on into the realms of studio-quality audio, dear co-host, the high fidelity’s lovely. Yes – Craigy’s got a brand new mic (thanks Patreon peeps!) and he’s back to his velvety best after previous eps chatting into his phone through a pop shield made of old tights.With your dynamic duo still social distancing but sounding like they’re back in the one room together, there is much to discuss:Irish music journalist Jim Carroll is onboard for a frank analysis of whether the Electric Picnic music festival could (or even should) realistically go ahead this year, the lads run the rule over the latest Yves Tumor release, and we’ve a Top 5 face-off where the music just gets worse and worse (and then properly appalling).ACT ONE: Soak up that sonic loveliness as the boys catch-up on another surreal week that also saw a huge number of you supporting the show through our new Patreon. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. ACT TWO [4.12]: The news is once again tinged with sadness as the pandemic claims John Prine and we also lose the legendary Bill Withers. We discuss their unimpeachable twin legacies. As for artists thankfully very much still with us… U2 did a very nice thing for Ireland, but did it involve Bono and the boys breaking out the Elevation Jet for some international piracy?! And as Drake begs TikTok to help his new song go viral, he also opens up his audacious abode (“The Embassy”) to Architectural Digest. We take a virtual tour of the trumped-up shopping mall, mouths agape.ACT THREE [19.34]: Dave gets Jim Carroll (RTÉ, Irish Times) on the line to take apart the official Electric Picnic line that organisers are “optimistic” the Stradbally music festival can still go ahead. Carroll reckons that the words of Festival Republic’s Melvin Benn will come back to haunt him…ACT FOUR [39.43]: The boundary-pushing, enigmatic Yves Tumor takes another big step in from the experimental cold with their second Warp album, Heaven To A Tortured Mind. Having lashed praise on 2018’s Safe In The Hands Of Love, Craig and Dave dissect a follow-up already getting more mainstream attention. But is that a good thing?ACT FIVE [54.08]: Turning listeners on to great music is all well and good but… it sure is hella entertaining to drag some utter rubbish over the coals. With that in mind, it's time for our Top 5 Worst Cover Songs Of All Time.From crabcore talk to white English pop aristocrats taking on hip-hop, settle in for two lists teeming with “what were they thinking?” awfulness – but will our hosts see eye-to-eye on every selection? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE's cinematic engagement project returns as Dave Hanratty, David Higgins and Norma Howard get their best battle rap faces on for Eminem's semi-autobiographical adventure 8 Mile.Is Eminem any good? What's with Brittany Murphy's character? Why did Curtis Hanson direct this? And what's Michael Shannon doing here? All this and more discussed in-depth...Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey, it's a rare NO ENCORE mini-sode in honour of us finally setting up a Patreon page. You can access that page at patreon.com/noencore if you would like to consider supporting the show. For more on that, here's Dave with a passionate speech. Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE returns with further social distant music podcasting as Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick deliver their top five late-career highlights in what turns out to be a very good list if we do say so ourselves. There's also space for the new Pearl Jam album, a news section that finally includes some non-coronavirus updates and word of the NO ENCORE Patreon, which you can access at patreon.com/noencore if you're so inclined. Thank you for your support.ACT ONE: A preamble packed with personal proclamations and Patreon pronouncements.ACT TWO: This week's news brings a sad passing from the music world, a repaired friendship, and contrasting styles in the celebrity fatherhood stakes.ACT THREE: Seattle grunge icons Pearl Jam return with Gigaton, their 11th studio album. Dave used to worship these lads. How do he and Craig feel about them in 2020?ACT FOUR: Another duelling Top 5 battle sees the boys tackle late-career gems. This was a tough one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Physical distancing podcast vibes continue as NO ENCORE swings back into gear. This week, Craig and Dave do their best to work through the news, dive into the dark and moody return of The Weeknd, and run down some songs they enjoy by artists they otherwise wouldn't usually bother with...ACT ONE: General catching up as the world continues to turn all kinds of strange.ACT TWO [5:49]: Britney Spears and her pivot to communism, the resurgence of radio and the latest from that man Kanye West.ACT THREE [28:23]: The Weeknd unleashes After Hours, splitting the podcast in two in the process.ACT FOUR [45:15]: Pop bangers. Schmaltzy acoustic numbers. Scared cows. This week's top five(s) has 'em all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE embraces social distancing as Dave and Craig connect from afar via the method of Skype. Determined to keep things upbeat, the boys cast their eyes over a grim news section, the debut album from Jay Electronica and their top five songs that brought the curtain down on a film that they also maybe enjoyed...ACT ONE: General getting used to the world we live in now.ACT TWO: Unsurprisingly, the coronavirus pandemic dominates the news section. Cancellations, isolation and impromptu songs are all on the agenda.ACT THREE: Jay Electronica finally unleashes his debut album A Written Testimony. Interesting week for it, to say the least. How does it hold up?ACT FOUR: The magic of the movies meets the majesty of music as Dave and Craig run down their favourite, most impactful ways to end a film. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to impact the world, Daithí checks in with a quite incredible story, having flown to Vietnam to play a St. Patrick's Day show. By the time the plane landed, it was already falling apart.Along the way, he became a reluctant local influencer. From futuristic temperature gun checks outside every shop and establishment to airport tension to one hell of a closing punchline, NO ENCORE's favourite son takes us through a most bizarre adventure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE's movies x music showcase returns as Dave Hanratty and David Higgins get lost in the 1986 dark fantasy that is LABYRINTH. Luckily, they have the great Zara Hedderman for company.You know this one, right? David Bowie milling around in a fight wig and skin-tight pants? Jennifer Connolly trying to rescue her brother from a weird maze? Songs that might not actually be all that great? Let's talk about it... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world is on fire. NO ENCORE arrives a day earlier to hopefully lift some spirits. Craig and Dave are in a surprisingly buoyant collective mood as they run down the Electric Picnic 2020 line-up, reflect briefly on the Choice Music Prize, consider the impact of Covid-19 on the entertainment industry and reveal a cluster of Irish songs that they feel deserve more love and affection.ACT ONE: Choice Prize in very brief hazy review.ACT TWO [6:46]: A busy news brief takes in Electric Picnic, troubling times in the music world, KoRn's profitability and Nick Cave's attitude towards problematic lyricism.ACT THREE [38:51]: U.S. Girls aka the experimental pop project of Meghan Remy returns with a brand new record in the form of Heavy Light. Dave and Craig do the review thing.ACT FOUR [50:30]: The duelling Top 5 bonanza continues apace as the boys count down their shouts for most underrated Irish songs. Honestly, this could have been an entire season of the show but here we are.EXIT MUSIC: Returns for a change, but you'll have to wait and hear what it is... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A busy NO ENCORE this week as Dave and Craig go from predicting the Choice Music Prize result at the last minute to a phantom live - and loud and a bit messy, let's be honest - update from the show itself and then back to the regular episode. It's like Inception. Kind of.Also this week - the boys run down their favourite life-affirming motivational songs, review the new album from Soccer Mommy, ponder the likelihood of Fontaines D.C. being some kind of psy-op conspiracy and generally just try and get through this whole strange 'life' thing...ACT ONE [1:59]: News~!ACT TWO [6:43]: That weird past/present/future tense Choice Music Prize bit. Shouts to the great Eoin Murray, Claire Beck and Daithí O'Dronaí for putting up with Dave shoving a phone in their faces as security were desperately trying to clear out the venue.ACT THREE [31:51]: Soccer Mommy returns with further bedroom pop adventures in the form of Color Theory. Any use?ACT FOUR [43:51]: Time to feel 10 feet tall as the guys detail the songs that give them life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the RTÉ Choice Music Prize will be decided, crowning the best Irish album of 2019.Dave reckons that Lankum are going to win, but for the traditional Irish/folk-punk outfit, the idea of music being pitted against itself makes little sense.That's just one of the conversational points hit on in this episode as Radie Peat and Daragh Lynch open up on the band's surge in popularity, their fantastic latest album The Livelong Day, why there's room for a clever heckle at a gig, awkward airport encounters and a recent example of how musicians have plenty to say beyond their work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

200 episodes? When did that happen?! Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick celebrate with a bang in the form of Dave going viral by blasting the pair's former place of employment. Aside from that, there's the very worst in celebrity music crossovers, the new and possibly polarising Grimes album, and a week full of news to wade through.ACT ONE: A brief return to the preamble for legitimately important reasons, honest.ACT TWO [9:30]: The week's big news stories in review including the brave re-emergence of Duffy, another victory for Justin Bieber, potential visa headaches for artists and RZA's move into mindfulness.ACT THREE [32:35]: Grimes has a new album. The boys do the review thing.ACT FOUR [48:55]: Footballers. Politicians. Reality TV sensations. Professional wrestlers. Movie stars. They've all had a go at the music thing. Dave and Craig unveil their personal top five most horrible... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's so deadly, my dear. Dave Hanratty and Craig Fitzpatrick return with daring espionage exploits in the form of their top five James Bond themes in honour of the new Billie Eilish one. There's a review of the latest Justin Bieber album and all the week's news to boot, so let's do it to it before it does it to us...ACT ONE [1:39]: All the big winners and happenings from this year's BRIT Awards, a strange mix of Bono, rugby and taxi drivers, and a couple of sad passings in the music world.ACT TWO [30:56]: Justin Bieber returns with Changes, his first album in five years. Much has indeed changed in his life since then, so too for the music industry. The boys ponder how Biebs might - or might not - fit in nowadays. ACT THREE [48:48]: BOND THEME SZN. Dave and Craig run down their personal top five favourite songs from the simultaneously entertaining and problematic cinematic institution that is 007. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NO ENCORE is back, baby! Season Five is here. Dave and Craig are hyped. And it's Valentine's Day, so the boys are running down their top five anti-love songs. Tis the season. There's also the brand new Tame Impala record to discuss in addition to the return of The Strokes, Slowthai's ill behaviour and The 1975's commitment to a better festival-based world for everyone...ACT ONE: The grand return and some important changes.ACT TWO: All the music news from the week that we could find and assemble and offer some decent insight on in time.ACT THREE: Kevin Parker aka Tame Impala returns with fourth studio album The Slow Rush. Did something get lost in the five-year period between this one and Currents? Let's find out. ACT FOUR: Our brand new segment in which Dave and Craig each list a top five on a given subject. This week; anti-love songs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just hours to go until NO ENCORE makes its Valentine's Day return, Dave, Higgs and Norma choreograph majestically about the studio as song-and-dance dramedy LA LA LAND comes into focus.There's some post-Oscars talk, too, not to mention La La Land's own controversial Academy Awards fiasco. All that and more, so let's get to it... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Hanratty and David Higgins are back-back-back with another deep dive into a movie that boasts a musical connection. In this case, that's ARTIFACT; a little-seen propaganda exercise for Jared Leto-fronted alt-rock sensations 30 Seconds to Mars as they battle the eeeeeeeevil music industry. It's as wild as it sounds, to be honest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yep, it's unlucky 13 for Dave Hanratty and David Higgins as the boys accept their fate and venture towards certain doom in the form of box office and critical bomb CATS.They get by with a little help from their friends, with both social media funnyman Michael Fry and ace music hack Andrea Cleary leaping aboard the express elevator to hell... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Hanratty and David Higgins convene once again for the film thing, this time casting a critical eye over the good and the bad that hit cinema screens in 2019.Two men. 15 categories. A lengthy preamble. Happy Christmas, one and all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the end, my friend. The end of 2019. Time to sit down for about two-and-a-half hours and break down the very best albums of the year.Dave, Craig and Daithí do just that as they pull the shutters down on NO ENCORE following a busy 12 months. Thanks to all of our listeners for giving us your ears. Much love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh yes, Listmas is officially here.First - a huge thank you to everyone who listened to us this year. The show is taking a break, but don't let that stop you telling your friends about how much you love it. We do appreciate it. Much love.Second - this episode didn't quite turn out as we had planned but we sincerely hope it's to your liking in spite of that. Stay tuned for an epic albums countdown, but first, presenting the NO ENCORE Top 20 Songs of 2019... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave, David and the returning Norma Howard take on gloomy iconic animation The Nightmare Before Christmas as the festive season kicks in.ACT ONE: A bumper 'what we've been watching' round-up including both fair and nefarious adventures and why the biggest twist in Knives Out is that it sucks.ACT TWO: The Nightmare Before Christmas.ACT THREE: What's this? A quiz! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.