Delays @Spring&Airbrake - 7.3.08

It's pouring outside. It’s ridiculously cold; there’s nothing more depressing than NIrish weather. When Delays finally skip onto stage many minutes late (insert Delay-related joke here), it’s wall-to-wall pop perkiness. Bizarrely bright and upbeat, they’re the antithesis of every moping indie band, but it’s all right, because the way things are going outside, we could do with some sunshine.

‘Long Time Coming’; an appropriately named first song, gets the crowd singing along. Sunnier than a Steps concert, the set highlights some of the best tracks from the band’s forthcoming album including the brilliant 'Pieces'. Latest single, 'Hooray', is a somewhat questionable cheese-fest, but that said, it is incredibly difficult not to jump up and down and dance along. Don’t be fooled by the saccharine keyboards; perfectly crafted melodies and harmonies; a closer listen to the lyrics suggests that our lovely Southampton boys have a darker side.

But it’s the final song of the evening that shines the brightest: the Donna Summer-esque 'Valentine' is a fabulous display of disco electro, with frontman Greg Gilbert’s swooping falsetto carrying the song to its luscious chorus. Disco pop seems to suit Delays and it’s a powerful end to a sometimes surprising set.

Set List:
Long Time Coming
Touch Down
Hooray
Pieces
Lets Keep It Simple
You And Me
Valentine

4/5

The Fly - the-fly.co.uk

ASIWYFA&Fighting With Wire@Limelight - 20.2.08

Too much hype can be a bad thing but post-rock adventurists And So I Watch You From Afar take it in their stride with a dangerously intense performance. Loud and melodic with each track slowly erupting to a powerful crescendo, sometimes it feels like the soundtrack to every tragic film scene.

Spunky support FWW celebrate their recent Atlantic Records signing with a sound-perfect performance. Poppy; punky and polished, a mix of At The Drive In meets Foo Fighters, this Derry trio almost upstage their hosts.

The Mascara Story @ the Limelight - 3.8.05

The Mascara Story@Radiation - Limelight, Belfast
3rd August 2005

Emo kids The Mascara Story play a rare Belfast date prior to their UK tour. It’s easy to see why they appeal. They’re the epitome of their genre – pretty boys with sensitive lyrics about lovely girls and well… lovely girls. The trio command the crowd with fiery solos and sweet melodies. Underneath the make-up, these pretty boys prove there is substance to their tale.

Published in The Fly magazine - the-fly.co.uk