secret fireworks

There are sound problems from the start (frontman Paul's vocals are simply too loud, so when he does begin to belt the songs out the poor wee speakers can't take it) but the band kick things off with "Magpie". The lead track from the Big Fub EP, "Magpie" sounds a lot less clean-cut than on record which is always a good thing. The energy on stage is unreal: frontman Paul Connolly takes on this Jaggeresque persona, strutting his stuff and dandering around the stage while blasting out the vocals. The guitar riff has a Smiths/Beatles ring to it, not too difficult but significant enough to stand out.

Tracks like "99" feature some awesome, awesome drumming from Daniel Gavigan: he doesn't over do it but when a song needs a drum solo, he's got one tucked up his sleeve. Every song seems to contain a massive chorus and it's clear to see the band subscribe to the Kasabian school of songwriting: the one thing I would point out is that if you constantly shape songs to have these big singalong choruses they lose their effect over time. It has to be said, they're damn catchy though.

It's easy to be happy and upbeat but the challenge for bands like the Q is writing slower material. Surprisingly it's the strongest song of the set that's also the slowest. The bassline takes the glory this time in "Radio" as things get a bit more ominous: think "She's So Heavy" but mixed in with some Oasis and you'll have an idea of the sound the band are going for. Paul even tries to get a singalong going but it's just not happening."Alarm" features a riff that both Albert Hammond and Albert Hammond Jr. would be proud of, with guitar work that would have slotted perfectly into the Strokes' debut album. It's a bit more punky and returns to the upbeat sound we're used to with some super guitar battling between Thomas Nicholl and Thomas Doherty.

High point: The singalong during "Radio".
Low point: The first two bars of "Magpie" because Paul's vocals are just so fricking loud.
Final point: A surprisingly strong performance from a very promising band. Great songwriting and the band have the persona of rockstars, all they need now is a little exposure.