If you find yourself desperately longing to go out tonight but find your brain needs a little stimulation after a long week/Oxegen then here’s my advice for you: STEP AWAY FROM THE LOCAL BOOZER. Hop on a DART/bus/whatever and head for the city early – or better yet, stay in town after work. Here’s why:

Fight Like Apes play a free instore gig in Tower Records on Wicklow Street this evening at 5pm. Get there early to avoid being stuck at the back entrance to Brown Thomas with the Italian accordian playing mascot. Fresh from thier performance at Glastonbury, Fight Like Apes deliver their unique blend of shouty, high-octane, high-energy punk pop – if this doesn’t sound like your type of thing get yourself down to Bewleys on Grafton Street for a nice cup of tea and a sit down instead.

Tonight also sees Analog 2008 kick off in style with Dublin Docklands playing host to Lou Reed, Shane McGowan, Gavin Friday and Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins, to name but a few. Rouge’s Gallery is the brainchild of Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski and music producer extrordinnaire, Hal Willner. Rouge’s Gallery is a collection of old sea shanties and pirate ballads given a modern day twist by a bevy of accomplished singers/songwriters/producers/etc. Willner’s impressive mish-mash of Hollywood A-listers and music industry legends is enough to get even the most discerning of gig-goers chomping at the bit. Go to see Lou Reed and Shane McGowan share a stage for the bargain price of €50.00 and, if this doesn’t stir up your senses, go to throw your knickers at Tim Robbins. A number of tickets are still available here.