Searchlight Showcase 2017

The Searchlight Development Deal is well underway, with the bands chosen and already hard at work on pre-production with the students. The Searchlight Development Deal is an annual project during which our Advanced Studio Engineering students undertake the task of producing and recording up and coming artists. These artists record 2 songs each in an intensive recording process, including extensive pre-production, recording and mixing. The deal culminates with a showcase night in the Button Factory, Temple Bar, attended by industry professionals. The last few showcases have been a major success, with the Button Factory reaching full capacity. 2017's Searchlight Showcase was a fantastic success with both the main stage and acoustic stage hosting jaw-dropping performances! Artists who played on the night included Search Party Animal, LNT, The Felonies, Rickshaw, & Solid Sun! While over on the acoustic stage we have Barry Jay Hughes, Chimp Paradox, Sam Ali, Molly Sterling & Hvmmingbyrd! See more below!

Search Party Animal are a five-piece band from Dundrum in Dublin. They play a blend of crushing Math/Post-Rock and catchy Indie Rock, bringing an original and Irish-influenced approach to the table. Their live set is exciting, with their attitude focused on leaving nothing left unsaid after each performance.

Rickshaw are a Dublin based four-piece that formed in 2015. Citing influences such as Queens of the Stone Age, Black Sabbath, Tool & The Ramones, they have an exciting and interesting sound.

The Felonies are a young, vibrant 4 piece band hailing from County Wicklow. Founded in 2015, their unique sound encompasses progressive garage / indie rock, having taken inspiration from The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Led Zeppelin and Kasabian.

Solid Sun introduced the Irish rock music scene to their ear-catching heavy tones in 2014. Bursting with creativity and ready to blow the roof off a venue near you the half-Dublin, half-Limerick group consists of four members, and cite a myriad of Hard Rock and Metal bands as influences.