The 1975 played the Savoy on Wednesday, February 19th. (I know that was ages ago, see my last last post RE: pathetic excuses.)
The 1975 are hipster guys, that's undeniable; and the crowd contained pretty much every indie-wannabe (myself included, no hate) in the county. Shirts were buttoned up the whole way and eyebrows were razor sharply defined.
Despite the aspiring alternative vibe, I found the whole thing kinda....cringe. There was an atmosphere of desperation more than anything else. The band were only alright, had zero audience interaction, and they were too cool to separate their encore from the main setlist. I don't know guys. I just don't know.
I was tremendously unimpressed, and the band somehow went down in my list of favourites after the gig, which is never a good thing.
All the same, an absolute belter of a night was had, but no thanks to the 1975, being brutally honest. It was nothing I couldn't have experienced with a flannel shirt, white wine and spoifity playlist at home.
I left wondering what I had spent my ticket money on, and how I had come by the bowl of mashed apple in my left hand.
After 15 years, 4 albums, numerous members and many good times; Fred the band have decided to call it a day. The decision was accompanied not by grief, but by a celebration of life. A 'fun'eral. A number of testimonials were held around the country; Dublin, Galway, Clonakilty and Cork City amongst them.
The Last Hoorah, as it was known, was a resounding success for the resigning band. I attended the second-last hoorah, December 27th (it has taken me so long to write this blog due to the cocktail of inebriation and poisonous hangover that is Christmastime) in the Pav, Cork. An early show, scheduled purely to accommodate the fan-girling, pathetic fans desperate to see the band perform one last time.
Songs were dragged up from repertoire lists long forgotten, albums of old and tunes of late. Band members down through the ages were summoned to the stage, and the nostalgia was roaring. The gig finished with all attributes of Fred on the stage (spilling over the edges) and the crowd, chanting 'Two Million People Can't Be Wrong'; a momentous moment.
It's hard to believe this Corkonian band that we're all so proud of have packed it in, for once and for all. All the same, a (reassuring) voice in my head says that this won't be the last of Fred the band.......
Little Green Cars are an indie rock band from (our very own) Dublin. Following the release of their first and ragingly successful album 'Absolute Zero' in 2013, they seem to be selling out pretty much every Irish date they announce.
With support from Gypsies on the Autobahn, who- despite the dodgey Dodgey DODGEY haircuts- had all elements required to make a decent alternative indie band. Perhaps dodgey haircuts are also included in those set requirements. They're a mishmash between Villagers and Two Door Cinema Club, and yano what else? I kinda like 'um.
Little Green Cars graced the stage not long after. Their music is totally diverse, fronted by Faye O'Rourke and Stevie Appleby. Songs alternate between leading man and woman, but quality certainly doesn't vary. With magical diversity accompanying each tune, I could have listened to their set for hours. Five part harmonies accompanied each melody, with personality shining through each member of the band. There was a tangible friendship in the group, which made their performance all the more mesmerizing.
They gave me goosebumps.
With this leg of the tour finished, they have already announced dates across Ireland in March. It's not too late to add another pair of tickets to your Santa list, is it?
'Bombay Bicycle Club', an indie chat up line, almost.
But don't let the cardiganed, tophatted, Bleach(with a capital B)haired fans turn you off. That crowd generally tend to know what they're at.
BBC are an English indie/alternative/hipster(we were all thinking it) band based in London.The band is composed of Jack Steadman, Jamie MacColl, Suren de Saram and Ed Nash.
On November 21st, 2013, the INEC hosted Bombay Bicycle Club, with support act Soak, as a part of their 'Acoustic Club' initiative. The 'Club' is laid out with candlelit round tables, surrounded by chairs that all (awkwardly) face the same direction. It creates a cosy, intimate atmosphere; but disallows raucous displays of enjoyment. And makes the evening most unpleasant for poor Johnny-No-Mates that only ever wanted to blend in.
Soak, the supporting act, while not my cup of tea entirely, filled the room with harmonious, soft melodies that had us sipping our Coronas with raised pinkies. Her distinctive voice, tangible emotions, creative lyrics and soothing guitar accompaniment simply COULD NOT distract me from the fact that she is just merely SEVENTEEN- and has more than likely already achieved more than you or I ever will. Yes; that means you.
Not that I don't support those that overachieve wholeheartedly but.... Well. Who does?
Bombay Bicycle Club graced the stage not long after. Between the four band members and their novelty lady for the evening, their equipment, instruments and dodgey dancemoves; the majority of the performance was spent just nearly spilling over the edges. Their setlist was wonderfully varied, with hints of new material, right up to their classic hits, and songs from their acoustic album 'Flaws'. I've never seen such diversity in a band- they could go from headbanging drum solos and heavy guitar riffs to indie scha-waps and synth loops- with no friction or resistance. It just worked. With up to three drummers and up to four guitarists playing at any one time, you can't deny that these guys are courageous. It seemed that is no end to their comfort zone; a quality that I, as a regular 'connoisseur' of live music, really appreciate.
They effervesced enthusiasm, and their energy was catching. They brought so much fun to the stage that it would have been difficult not to enjoy it.
Apart from Johnny-No-Mates, who had to endure the entire gig sitting at an unused table surrounded by empty chairs. Poor guy.
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.
