secret fireworks

So, Belfast just got an Urban Outfitters store. Woohoo, I hear you say. It's class to have a look at clothes that I can never afford, but I can always dream, can't I? Anyway, to celebrate their opening the store had a free gig in association with local bar The Stiff Kitten, featuring acts such as The Panama Kings, The Cutaways and Two Door Cinema Club.



The first act up are The Cutaways. According to their MySpace they have "infectious harmonies, driving choruses and upbeat songs that are made for dancing". Sadly, they aren't on display here. The infectious harmonies seemed a little off key and the crowd seemed to be too cool to dance. Indeed, when the local band attempted to interact with the crowd, they faced a brick wall of apathy. The only saving grace of their performance was the superb drumming displayed by Ryan, playing with precision and style.

The second act up are Two Door Cinema Club. It's the second time in a week they've rocked a Belfast venue, and they certainly did in Urban Outfitters. They even manage to get the crowd dancing and clapping along- Cutaways take note! The three-piece combine dancefloor drum beats with soaring melodies and wonderful vocals, creating a dish full of awesomness that reminds me of a poppier The Postal Service. The set does drag along a little bit in the middle, but gems like "Undercover Martyn" make Two Door a band to watch out for. (Speaking of which, the video they created with BBC Across The Line is attached to this post).



Overall, a fairly decent gig. Cutaways were certainly a little bit disappointing, but Two Door Cinema Club made it worth the visit. To be fair, though, you can't really can't argue with the admission price.

Labels: the cutaways, the panama kings, two door cinema club

It's the first night of the Trans festival and we've got a fantastic line up tonight- Cat Malojian, Two Door Cinema Club, Kowalski and the Welsh sensations Los Campesinos!.

The first act up tonight is the wonderful Cat Malojian, the wonderful folk/country duo from Lurgan. Their soft acoustic sound and the crisp, clear voice of Steve Scullion echoes a bygone era when Neil Young and James Taylor were at the top of their game. An unusual act to open the night with considering the other bands on show, but this wonderful stripped back performance by the lads has surely won them a few more fans.

A brief interval, and Two Door Cinema Club come to the stage. It’s an immediate contrast from Cat Malojian- within a few minutes the audience are dancing to songs with pumping basslines, adventurous guitar playing and some of the best vocals we’ve ever heard in the Waterfront Studio. The trio aren’t afraid to play new material either, which goes down very well with the crowd. They certainly aren’t the finished article yet, but in a few years they could be the next big thing from the North. An assured performance and certainly a band to watch in the next few years.

Kowalski take to the stage, wearing bandanas and various French related paraphernalia. (It is Bastille Day, after all.) It’s clear to see that they’ve brought along a number of fans tonight, but they’ve got the audience in the palm of their hand within seconds as they flood the studio with high tempo rock songs, featuring incredible drumming. Kowalski opened up for Snow Patrol at Ward Park last year and they’ve obviously learned from the experience- they fly through a solid set, only broken up by the “Bastille Day Song”. “Is it a pain au chocolat, or is it an onion?” is hardly a classic lyric, but it shows the lads are still up for some fun.

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Los Campesinos! take to the stage to rapturous applause from the crowd, and they certainly don’t disappoint. To call the Welsh rockers “energetic” would probably be the understatement of the century- the lead singer, Garth, is like a three year old child on stage, bursting with enthusiasm and energy while jumping off various pieces of musical equipment. When the drummer starts a gig semi-naked, you know you’re in for some good music. The band barely pauses for breath as they reel off hit after hit from their album “Hold On Now, Teenager” and this addictive pop/punk/rock/dance sound takes a hold of us all. Too many times these days exclamation marks are used as a throwaway gesture- with this hand clapping, feet stomping gig this band certainly deserve to be called Los Campesinos!

Well, it's Summer, and once again it's time for the Belfast Trans Festival. For those that aren't familiar with the festival it was set up a couple of years ago to bring in acts from around the world as well as showcasing NI talent.

http://www.transbelfast.com/

Anyway, that means our little city will have more gigs than we can shake a stick at, and I'm planning to cover as many as possible.

Tonight, we’re about to experience one of the most anticipated gig in recent times- The National have come to Belfast.


A stage bathed in blue light beckons for the Jane Bradfords, the first act up on tonight’s bill. The Belfast band, championed by many reviewers, provided a rip roaring set featuring songs from their eponymous debut album for the Mandela Hall audience. With catchy melodies and ever improving performances it won’t be long before they’ll be playing bigger venues. A particular highlight of the set was “Ninetynine”, a song that should become a firm indie dancefloor favourite.

A short interval and the lights dim as the National take to the stage to huge cheers. Even on looks alone, the crowd know they’re in the presence of greatness. They're more mature than your typical band, both in a physical and musical sense. The lead singer, Matt Berninger, has a shy demeanour and a sheepish grin as the crowd applaud. The violinist performs with more enthusiasm than a primary school orchestra combined. As the first few bars of “Start A War” are played, the audience begin to scream. The baritone voice of Berninger soars through the summer air, aided only by the faithful crowd. He turns his back to the audience when he's not singing, as if he's embarrassed to be performing in front of so many people. The guitars are roaring, the bass is chugging and the drums are incredible- Bryan Devendorf thundering away like there’s no tomorrow.

As “Squalor Victoria” comes to life, you see the true essence of the band. Berninger closes his eyes and sings with such honesty- as he screams out the chorus, you can feel and see he passion (it looks like he’s going to throw the microphone stand into the audience). The drums once again come to the forefront as the band wander into darker territory, and the guitars play with a restrained brilliance. “Abel” is the first real song to get the crowd dancing- the closest thing to an anthem the band have written, a joyful soaring symphony that is a change from the self questioning reflective set we've experienced so far. It seems that Matt Berninger has the crowd in the palm of his hand, which he uses to devastating effect. They hang on every word as he dedicates “Daughters of the Soho Riots” to diehard fans the Jane Bradfords.

A chord rings out. A drum beat begins. The audience goes wild. “Mr November” rings out around Mandela Hall, and the guitars give in to temptation, showboating like true rockers do. A middle aged well dressed man attempts to crowdsurf and is quickly removed from the building. Matt Berninger jumps from the stage, much to the behest of the bouncers, and the crowd reach out to grab a hold of him, as if by doing so, the band would play just one more song. Sadly, it's time to go, and the end of probably one of the best performances in Mandela Hall in recent times.

Labels: the jane bradfords, the national

Hello! I'm Patrick, and this is my blog- Secret Fireworks. It's a music blog that will hopefully inform, entertain and keep you up to date on what's going on in the Northern Ireland music scene. Well, to be more honest, the Belfast music scene. Obviously, new albums and new bands that come to my attention through the magic of the series of tubes that are the Internet will get a mention as well. So enjoy and subscribe to the RSS feed!