Venue: Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Ireland.
Hermitage Green are an unsigned, Limerick bred, Irish acoustic rock band. They certainly have an 'I'll bate ya' look about them, and they probably met in a rugby club's changing room, but still; I reckon they're one to keep an eye on.
The Cork Guiness Jazz Festival, (running this year from October 25th to 28th), prides itself upon bringing as many bands as possible out of the woodwork; and bringing as many people into as many venues as adhereable; all while boycotting any non-Diageo products, including cornflakes and toilet paper.
Personally, I don't give a rat's pajamas about Diageo's ingenius marketing ploys. Here's to Arthur, as far as I'm concerned. And since they're supplying our city with upward of 1000 bands, a lot of which have free entry, albeit once a year, I don't think you should be too hard on the poor aul' billion-dollar-industry either. The dotes.
Since their definition of 'Jazz' is so majestically broad, pretty much everything from opera to heavy metal is shoehorned into the weekend. Who's complaining?
Hermitage Green are a fine example of a band that people are only gagging for an excuse to see. They sold out two performances, both in Cyprus Avenue, within a few hours of each other.
I saw their first gig. But, judging by the size of them, I doubt a couple of hours of performing affected their second show. Have I mentioned how buff these lads are?
Guitar, banjo, djembe, bodhran; the whole nine yards. Stunning harmonies and solid beats- they're kind of like a decent, Irish version of Mumford and Sons. Their cover of Florence & the Machine 'Cosmic Love' brings the bands talents together; a rare mix of sheer brute power, and (well, not 'delicate' but close enough) almost angelic vibes.
If you like an auld Irish power ballad but similarly fancy yourself as a fan of the bongo, then these are the lads for you. I was particularly impressed by Dermot Sheedy, the bodhran-ist. Who knew an Irish frame drum could be made to sound like an ENTIRE drum kit?? While the rest of the band left the stage for their encore; he remained soloing his beaut of a bodhran, wielding huge respect from the crowd.
Hermitage Green do what they say on the tin. A decent band, they'll keep a crowd going, and leave you wanting more. Their album, 'Hermitage Green- Live at Whelans' will be released Friday, November 22nd.
Watch this space.
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