Kicking things off gigs-wise this weekend at The Queens in Douglas on Saturday night, are local metal-heads Ironclad.

The band has been doing the rounds of the Manx live scene for a few years now and are feature Owain Brimfield on vocals and guitar, Jason Cain on guitar, Ivan Jackson on bass and Keith Harris on drums.

Their set list features covers from the heavier end of the spectrum, with tracks from the likes of Black Sabbath, Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer.

The doors open at 8pm, the band hit the stage just after 9.30pm and it’s free entry.

Head to Jaks this weekend if you want to catch a double bill of two regular fixtures on the Manx live scene.

Friday night sees Ian Thompson opening the weekend proceedings.

Those who have caught his live set over the last year or so will know how busy this local musician keeps himself on the local live scene.

Ian, with his band in tow, pulls out a set full of classics from the likes of The Kinks, David Bowie, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, R.E.M, and the like, mixed with a selection of original cuts from his debut release last year via his American label, The Spectra Music Group.

For more information about Ian, his music, his forthcoming shows, go to ianthompsonuk.com

Saturday sees Looney and The Vikings hitting the stage.

The band, led by Dan Looney on vocals and also featuring Dave Ball on guitars, Susan Harrison on sax and keys, Wayne Harrison on bass and Charlie Crowe on drums present a set of covers ranging from The Beatles, The Kinks, T-Rex, The Jam and The Undertones at one end of the musical timeline, through to The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Stereophonics, Blink 182 and The Kaiser Chiefs at the other.

Singer/Songwriter Eoin Molyneux may not be the most prolific player on the live scene, but has popped up as a regular visitor to the Battle of the Bands held at Amber in Douglas in recent years.

Having, in his own words, lived mostly on the edge of the local music scene, he’s decided to venture out and release some new music.

His new EP, a four track offering, entitled ’Heavenly Highway Hymns’, features the tracks Ghosts, Fuse, Black and White and the closer Same Old Stories, all written and centred around Eoin’s own personal experiences.

Influence-wise, think Del Amitri, Crowded House, Travis and early Coldplay and you’re on the right track.

Further information on Eoin, his music and where to buy or stream the new release are available from Facebook.com/eoinmolyneuxmusic

That’s all for this week and thanks for reading.