Seems like simple little country boys have stumbled onstage to play at being rockstars. That’s if frontman Paul Noonan's cringeworthy but rather fetching dancing and air guitaring is anything to go by.
The first half hour of the show consists of songs which wouldn’t sound out of place at an old-time dance. Perfectly pleasant but we’re thankful to be seated cos the music isn’t even appropriate for swaying. The conclusion of the slow-set arrives with ‘Eve, The Apple of My Eye’ – acknowledged as being first kiss music for secondary school sweethearts.
Surprising though is the heavier nature of the following songs where the band are in their element. Unfortunately the new material, except perhaps Talking Heads-esque ‘The Great Defector', doesn’t have quite the same punch as older tracks. The anthemic ‘Flame’ gets an understandable cheer of excitement while finishing with ‘Rocky Took A Lover’ is an obvious choice.
Our cowbell-clashing Mr Noonan’s distinctive voice and questionable grooving is fantastic but there’s an uneasy feeling of something missing.
3 and a half/5
The Fly - the-fly.co.uk
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Not Squares & Kicks Blue@Twisted Pepper - 12.3.09
First time in Twisted Pepper on Thursday night and what a night to choose to indoctrinate myself. Noisy Northerners Not Squares had commandeered the club for the early part of the evening. The venue itself is great with a bar/stage area which allows drinkers to sit and have a chat without having to shout over the band's music. In saying that though the completely unnecessary dj in the bar area pre-gig seemed to think it appropriate to play ridiculously squeaks for about 20 minutes before someone told him that the few punters actually there might want to be able to hear their friends. I hope so anyway.
First on the bill were Kicks Blue, an interesting combo of guy with laptop and Korg and his Kickettes, two girls who seemed to provide harmonies and swaying. Despite having a really excellent backing track of lovely swooping sounds and the occasional wee glitchy bit of electronic, it was somewhat marred by the school choir vocals of the Kickettes. Don't get me wrong, the girls can sing and harmonise just fine but it was overbearing and completely killed the effect of everything else. Unusual idea but after two and a half songs it became painful. Pity cos the recorded material sounds sweet and ethereal (see In Your Sleep).
I lasted longer than my companions however - their comments varied from "missing a bit of talent", "now I know anyone can sing" and "hey, I liked it" - so well, different strokes for different folks. I'd like a little less Kickette, a little more Kick.
Not to worry though, Not Squares were as brilliant as I'd hoped they'd be. Benefitting slightly from a crowd of mostly Nordies, they did manage to get everyone going. Nothing like a stage invasion of excitable dancers to get a party started. How to describe the band? Thrash dance has been waved about so I'll nab that one. Northern Ireland's top thrash dance punk band for sure - not that there is much competition, but if there was, these guys would blow them out of the water. Two bassists, no guitarist (or maybe my eyesight really is bad), keyboards, crazy beats and a lot of shouting from pretty much every single one of them - and one of the stage invaders. Excellently organised chaos. Finishing with You're Still Drunk, the main reason I was there, was the best decision of the night. I've called it bouncy, crashing perfection elsewhere. It is.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Cashier No 9&Escape Act @Whelans - 28.2.09
Soon to be touring with Snow Patrol, Cashier No 9 showcase their modern country with a swaggering, confident beat and a shovelful of funky pizazz. And at the risk of sounding cheesy, it's a bit of a toe-tapping affair withevery song grabbing hold of you and demanding dance.
Recent single 'When Jackie Shone' is an excellent case in point.
Fresh from their studio session in Glasgow, support comes from the delightfully energetic Escape Act. Retro indie with tinges of Jesus & Mary Chain and Pixies, these guys combine sweetened vocals with blasts of spiky guitar riffs.
4/5
The Fly - the-fly.co.uk
Recent single 'When Jackie Shone' is an excellent case in point.
Fresh from their studio session in Glasgow, support comes from the delightfully energetic Escape Act. Retro indie with tinges of Jesus & Mary Chain and Pixies, these guys combine sweetened vocals with blasts of spiky guitar riffs.
4/5
The Fly - the-fly.co.uk
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Heritage centre&Empire of Lights @Whelans - 20.2.09
It's a sold-out show for the release of Heritage Centre's debut EP The City, The Tree And The Fox in Whelan's. The crowd loves these guys and they in turn love the attention. It's a completely professional performance - there's no self-conscious shuffling on and off stage for this lot. Lights dim for the intro song and at the end, we're even treated to an encore before they disappear into the backstage.
Standout tracks include the excellent 'Death By Silence' - vicious, rocky, perfectly loud - and the single 'Losing Touch' - a soft, not particularly original but very sweet track. They're in their element with the heavier numbers – reminiscent of an early Idlewild or even Snow Patrol before they forgot how to write great songs.
Despite their rock-star posturing they're polite young boys who give a shout-out and thanks to their parents without whom they say there would be no EP. Ah, how sweet.
Support comes from London/Dundalk mates Empire Of Lights with their lovely jingle-jangle indie pop. Sugary and upbeat, comparisons can be drawn with Stars and the now-defunct Belfast band Torgas Valley Reds. It's all beautiful harmonies and warm synths, there is even a melodica! 'Inaction Man' is one of the best songs of the night.
An excellent line up with Heritage Centre tight as hell, exuding a confidence that will hopefully ensure their heritage lives on both in Ireland and across the water. An Irish tour is to follow - if you have any interest in professionally executed indie-rock then go see this band. We insist.
4/5
The Fly - the-fly.co.uk
Standout tracks include the excellent 'Death By Silence' - vicious, rocky, perfectly loud - and the single 'Losing Touch' - a soft, not particularly original but very sweet track. They're in their element with the heavier numbers – reminiscent of an early Idlewild or even Snow Patrol before they forgot how to write great songs.
Despite their rock-star posturing they're polite young boys who give a shout-out and thanks to their parents without whom they say there would be no EP. Ah, how sweet.
Support comes from London/Dundalk mates Empire Of Lights with their lovely jingle-jangle indie pop. Sugary and upbeat, comparisons can be drawn with Stars and the now-defunct Belfast band Torgas Valley Reds. It's all beautiful harmonies and warm synths, there is even a melodica! 'Inaction Man' is one of the best songs of the night.
An excellent line up with Heritage Centre tight as hell, exuding a confidence that will hopefully ensure their heritage lives on both in Ireland and across the water. An Irish tour is to follow - if you have any interest in professionally executed indie-rock then go see this band. We insist.
4/5
The Fly - the-fly.co.uk
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Pure 'brel'-liance (headline courtesy of Claire Hartnett!)
Having never been to Liverpool, despite it only being a quick hop across the Irish Sea, I decided that this year would be the best year to do it. The city is currently basking in prestigious glory under the title of European Capital of Culture.
With only a month and a half left before the end of 2008, I realised that time was certainly of the essence and so I set myself a specific goal.
One night in Liverpool. One night to experience something unique and interesting. One night to find out what this little city had to offer. An all night drinking session in a bar or club was ruled out, considering that Dublin has an extensive range of this kind of culture anyway. So what could I do?
The options seemed plentiful – an architecture exhibition, an LGBT festival, a dance show at one of the universities. Certainly I had a wide range of choices but then I found the event that seemed a little more interesting to me - ‘The Potting Shed Cabaret celebrates the Nouveau Beaujolais (sic)’.
In itself, it didn’t sound particularly spectacular. When in France, I had celebrated the
Beaujolais Nouveau– a somewhat pointless celebration that simply involved drinking a glass of unexciting red wine.
However, the venue for the evening was to be a brightly coloured ship moored in Canning Dock, just footsteps away from its more famous neightbour, Albert Dock – home of the Tate Liverpool and the Beatles Story museum.
Arriving in Liverpool felt anti-climatic – the outskirts look grey in the rain – unsurprising, of course, being that this is north England at the end of November. The centre of the city is much more pleasant. It feels busy and lively even in the drizzle and narrow down-hill streets lead the way to the cabaret destination.
Walk the Plank is the theatre company that uses the ship as a base. Once used for touring productions around the UK and Ireland, the boat has found its home in front of the Liver building and is unlikely to take to the sea again.
However this 200 capacity venue, which can sleep sixteen crew, plays host to a variety of performers and artists with seasonal shows, theatrical pieces and the monthly cabaret.
The Beaujolais Nouveau celebration is being curated by Nuala Dorrity and Tony Cairns. Nuala is a Northern Irish born actress and musician for whom tonight is one in a series of collaborations with the venue:
“I met a couple of people working on this touring threatre ship and thought it sounded amazing. The director auditioned me for Noah’s Ark and I travelled round the British Isles with them. It was a very physical, sweaty show. The company is so versatile and I really got into that. I’ve performed in most of the cabarets since 2006.”
Hosting a cabaret on a boat is a fantastic idea in practice although for those who have decided to follow the French theme, clambering onboard in heels and swishing feather boas is a little more difficult.
Downstairs in the hold, groups of besuitted men and their elegantly dressed female friends sit around candlelight tables - it feels like a world away from the brash Liverpool outside.
The main focus of the evening is Dead Belgian – a four-piece group who perform the songs of Jacques Brel in both English and French. Nuala has been involved with the band for a number of years:
“Andy, our drummer saw me in a play and liked my voice. Liverpool is a small city – people working in the arts get to know each other. He loved Jacques Brel’s music. It is amazing, so threatical with beautiful arrangements. I don’t speak any French, in fact I got an E at GCSE. I know what the translation means but I’m starting to perform it better.”
Nuala and the other performers in the group are an incredibly gifted group of musicians. From the moment the first strain of the accordion pierces through the boat, there is absolute silence and awed respect.
Despite Nuala’s claim not to have spoken French two years previously, it is impossible to tell as her voice soars and falls with the alternating joy and melancholy of Brel’s lyrics. The music commands attention but the group are keen to have the audience involved and participating rather than listening in hushed quiet.
A break between songs leads to a ‘Guess the cheese’ competition. Under every seat in the boat, a small piece of cheese has been packaged and attached. Everyone is invited to participate in tasting and guessing.
There are further competitions where a cheese is presented using shadow puppetry on a screen behind the performers on stage. Small french-themed gifts are given to the winners. It’s a completely frivilous game but one that has the audience laughing and eagerly joining in.
“Everyone is there to have a laugh,” explains Nuala. “It’s incredibly light-hearted. The evening was divided into sections so that people could drink and talk to their friends. It holds attention and keeps everyone revived.”
A clever ploy and one that works. As the group continue their performance, couples jump up to dance to the music as it becomes more raucous and vibrant. A fire eater shows off by the side of the stage and the shadow puppetry continues behind Dead Belgian. A group of can can dancers initiate an impromptu game of limbo dancing.
The evening quickly becomes organised madness – and instead of being on a rickety boat in Liverpool, I feel like I am in the freedom and celebration of 1950s Paris. It feels wonderfully decadent and confusing. As the night ends and I stumble back on dry land, I find myself wishing that I could stay on the boat – forever a part of this flamboyant french atmosphere.
“Theatre is a form of escapism,” says Nuala. “Everyone wants a little world for a couple of hours where they can do something they wouldn’t do in normal day to day life. Here, they come to a place where so many others are sharing in the same way. It gives the imagination a chance to explode.”
With only a month and a half left before the end of 2008, I realised that time was certainly of the essence and so I set myself a specific goal.
One night in Liverpool. One night to experience something unique and interesting. One night to find out what this little city had to offer. An all night drinking session in a bar or club was ruled out, considering that Dublin has an extensive range of this kind of culture anyway. So what could I do?
The options seemed plentiful – an architecture exhibition, an LGBT festival, a dance show at one of the universities. Certainly I had a wide range of choices but then I found the event that seemed a little more interesting to me - ‘The Potting Shed Cabaret celebrates the Nouveau Beaujolais (sic)’.
In itself, it didn’t sound particularly spectacular. When in France, I had celebrated the
Beaujolais Nouveau– a somewhat pointless celebration that simply involved drinking a glass of unexciting red wine.
However, the venue for the evening was to be a brightly coloured ship moored in Canning Dock, just footsteps away from its more famous neightbour, Albert Dock – home of the Tate Liverpool and the Beatles Story museum.
Arriving in Liverpool felt anti-climatic – the outskirts look grey in the rain – unsurprising, of course, being that this is north England at the end of November. The centre of the city is much more pleasant. It feels busy and lively even in the drizzle and narrow down-hill streets lead the way to the cabaret destination.
Walk the Plank is the theatre company that uses the ship as a base. Once used for touring productions around the UK and Ireland, the boat has found its home in front of the Liver building and is unlikely to take to the sea again.
However this 200 capacity venue, which can sleep sixteen crew, plays host to a variety of performers and artists with seasonal shows, theatrical pieces and the monthly cabaret.
The Beaujolais Nouveau celebration is being curated by Nuala Dorrity and Tony Cairns. Nuala is a Northern Irish born actress and musician for whom tonight is one in a series of collaborations with the venue:
“I met a couple of people working on this touring threatre ship and thought it sounded amazing. The director auditioned me for Noah’s Ark and I travelled round the British Isles with them. It was a very physical, sweaty show. The company is so versatile and I really got into that. I’ve performed in most of the cabarets since 2006.”
Hosting a cabaret on a boat is a fantastic idea in practice although for those who have decided to follow the French theme, clambering onboard in heels and swishing feather boas is a little more difficult.
Downstairs in the hold, groups of besuitted men and their elegantly dressed female friends sit around candlelight tables - it feels like a world away from the brash Liverpool outside.
The main focus of the evening is Dead Belgian – a four-piece group who perform the songs of Jacques Brel in both English and French. Nuala has been involved with the band for a number of years:
“Andy, our drummer saw me in a play and liked my voice. Liverpool is a small city – people working in the arts get to know each other. He loved Jacques Brel’s music. It is amazing, so threatical with beautiful arrangements. I don’t speak any French, in fact I got an E at GCSE. I know what the translation means but I’m starting to perform it better.”
Nuala and the other performers in the group are an incredibly gifted group of musicians. From the moment the first strain of the accordion pierces through the boat, there is absolute silence and awed respect.
Despite Nuala’s claim not to have spoken French two years previously, it is impossible to tell as her voice soars and falls with the alternating joy and melancholy of Brel’s lyrics. The music commands attention but the group are keen to have the audience involved and participating rather than listening in hushed quiet.
A break between songs leads to a ‘Guess the cheese’ competition. Under every seat in the boat, a small piece of cheese has been packaged and attached. Everyone is invited to participate in tasting and guessing.
There are further competitions where a cheese is presented using shadow puppetry on a screen behind the performers on stage. Small french-themed gifts are given to the winners. It’s a completely frivilous game but one that has the audience laughing and eagerly joining in.
“Everyone is there to have a laugh,” explains Nuala. “It’s incredibly light-hearted. The evening was divided into sections so that people could drink and talk to their friends. It holds attention and keeps everyone revived.”
A clever ploy and one that works. As the group continue their performance, couples jump up to dance to the music as it becomes more raucous and vibrant. A fire eater shows off by the side of the stage and the shadow puppetry continues behind Dead Belgian. A group of can can dancers initiate an impromptu game of limbo dancing.
The evening quickly becomes organised madness – and instead of being on a rickety boat in Liverpool, I feel like I am in the freedom and celebration of 1950s Paris. It feels wonderfully decadent and confusing. As the night ends and I stumble back on dry land, I find myself wishing that I could stay on the boat – forever a part of this flamboyant french atmosphere.
“Theatre is a form of escapism,” says Nuala. “Everyone wants a little world for a couple of hours where they can do something they wouldn’t do in normal day to day life. Here, they come to a place where so many others are sharing in the same way. It gives the imagination a chance to explode.”
Friday, March 7, 2008
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
‘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
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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.
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.
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