Tag Archives: Live Show Review

Indie, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

Inhaler Live at The 3Olympia Theatre

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Dublin indie rock four-piece Inhaler kicked off their 36-date world tour, with two shows in Dublin’s historic 3Olympia Theatre last week. I headed down to the second date which proved to be a momentous affair. Right from the get-go, I got a sense of the “Beatlemania” effect this band has on their fans. A member of the audience collapsed almost halfway through the first song prompting vocalist and guitarist Elijah Hewson to stop the performance until he was sure the fan was looked after and ok. Perhaps that’s one of the facets of this band’s appeal; their love and care for the safety of their fans …but mostly it’s the wonderful musical earworms these guys create, their youthful adrenaline- fuelled sound and relatable lyrics that discuss the trials and tribulations of life as a 20-something. 

Inhaler continued their set with a myriad of fan favourites that immediately went down a treat with the crowd as they bellowed back the lyrics as if their lives depended on it. ‘When It Breaks’ had the pit in a bustle of bouncing bodies and flailing limbs, even fans in the seated section of the 3Olympia were up on their feet dancing. This band have natural charisma and an irresistible charm about them. They don’t need flamboyant stage antics. Their chilled, suave stance and magnetic tunes speak for themselves and draw the crowd in effortlessly. Keen to get as many songs into their set list as possible the band whacked out catchy banger after banger and it became instantly apparent these guys are competent and talented musicians with a checklist of stadium rock-worthy crowd-pleasing tunes.

As performers and artists, the four-piece have grown rapidly. They ooze more confidence since the last I saw them and it is clear they are more comfortable on stage as well. A fine example of their musical growth on the night was their performance of ‘A Night On The Floor’. Much to the delight of the crowd, Josh Jenkinson fleshed out his intricate guitar manoeuvres between Elijah Hewson’s silken croons, Robert Keating’s malleable basslines and Ryan McMahon’s rhythmic drumming. There were many memorable moments throughout the performance and as the night progressed the venue became a bubbling pot of euphoria, fans bounced and sang along to the entire setlist without fail and it is easy to why. These guys create fun, dance-able tunes that blend indie rock, pop and funk embellishments with ease creating an atmosphere for fans to let everything go and enjoy themselves. As Inhaler belted their way through ‘Love Will Get You There’ and ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’,  the mania of the crowd only intensified. There are not many bands around that can whip a crowd into a frenzy the way Inhaler do and it was a wonderful sight to experience and be a part of.

Inhaler are a joy to experience live. The band possess a professional manner and enviable musical talent well beyond their years. They have had to master their craft fast with a lot of eyes on them and last Thursday night was a triumphant middle finger to anyone who doubted them. 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

Emily 7 Live At Whelan’s With Support From KLDD and Curtisy

Whelan’s plummeted headfirst into an energetic maelstrom last night as Dublin indie rock band Emily 7 took to the stage for their eagerly anticipated headline show. The crowd and band were hungrier than ever for this performance as the show was two years in waiting due to covid. 

Against a backdrop of helium balloons spelling Emily 7, the two support acts KLDD and Curtisy tackled the task of warming up the crowd. Sleek sounding, tight and exuding an impressive nonchalant stage presence, four-piece KLDD had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. Comprised of Kilian Callegari on bass, Liam Bennati on drums, David Bradford on lead and Davy O’Toole on vocals and rhythm the band blend moody indie rock with grunge hues and glimmers of punk-pop to create a dynamic sound filled with vigour. The crowd bopped, cheered and some even fangirled over this budding band’s sound. With driving basslines, a fantastic rapid drum assault and some pretty slick guitar work there was plenty of talent on stage – an impressive performance from the four-piece.

Filled with some pretty sleek hip hop backing tracks, Curtisy‘s set followed. Curtisy’s loose performance style, fun attitude on stage and wandering wordplay made for an intriguing listening experience. With raps drifting between topics of girls, drinking and social insights; the artist’s swaggered rhymes and repetitive “yeah, yeah” phrase lingered in many of the crowd’s heads for the rest of the night. Curtisy is fleshing out his style and refining his sound, it will be interesting to see what the hip hop artist does next.

‘Put ’em Under Pressure’ triumphantly introduced Emily 7. The crowd bellowed “Olé Olé Olé Olé, Olé Olé” while clapping and cheering as the band took to the stage. It was a whirlwind of antics, frantic post-punk and sweaty moshing from the get-go. Whelan’s shaked beneath our feet as the cheeky resounding sound of ‘Stephanie’ caused a dance frenzy from the crowd. Filled with thrilling rhythms, soaring wails on guitar and roaring bass grooves the band’s sound is impressive and the four-piece wasted no time in delighting the crowd’s ears with a constant glorious onslaught of instrumentally riveting tunes.

Kyle Bellew and Daniel Clarke are charismatic frontmen who share lead vocals. They exuded a charming persona throughout the set while subtly fighting off the entangled helium balloons behind them. Scott Bellew’s charismatic drumming was a joy to witness and perfectly complemented Brandon Carrig’s superb laid back bass. It was fun chaos all around that was rapturously well-received by the audience. This was particularly evident when the band played ‘Oh Me, Oh My’; the crowd bellowed back the catchy lyrics with such vigour and enthusiasm that made it a memorable moment on the night.

Like all good shows, a broken instrument or two is the norm and a kick drum malfunction,- “we f*cked the kick drum” saw the band styling out the brisk repair with a sleek instrumental jam. The four-piece were comfortable on stage and a broken instrument hiccup was nothing to these guys, within seconds they were back, filling the venue with more blazing tunes.

Emily 7 are a must see live act. They delivered a fantastic live show with an intense conviction that few bands can muster. There are exciting things to come from this band, and I for one am looking forward to it.


Author: Danu

Indie, Live Music, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Pauric O’ Meara Live At The Workman’s Club Dublin With Support From Sophie Doyle Ryder

Against the odds, and with a quick venue change to The Workman’s Club Dublin Pauric O’ Meara rose to the occasion to ensure his headline show last night would go ahead. The venue erupted with energy as the artists performing and the audience were determined their party spirit wouldn’t be dampened as the crowd danced at their seats, sang loudly and cheered for O’ Meara and his band.

Sophie Doyle Ryder warmed up the crowd with her infectious brand of R&B/Pop. With just gentle acoustic guitar accompaniment by Stephen Carolan her powerful soul-filled vocals reverbed throughout the venue, and charmed the crowd instantly – songs about “clingy boys” (The Boys) and a mesmerising cover of Lianne La Havas’ ‘What You Don’t Do’, had the crowd cheering and bopping in no time.

Within the live setting, the artist’s music and contemporary songwriting comes to life and is more dynamic. A fine example on the night was ‘Mood’; which had the crowd in awe of the musician’s deft lyrical depth and vocal delivery. Sophie Doyle Ryder’s irresistible earworms and impressive vocal display make her a compelling singer-songwriter and a must-see live act.

Pauric O’ Meara and his band (Ronan Quinn on Bass, Eoghan Barrett on drums and Liam Smith on guitar) swarmed the stage to a mass of cheers. O’ Meara began with a strikingly beautiful vocal delivery with just soft guitar to accompany him before blasting into an invigorating tune. O’ Meara’s songs are vibrant and more edgy live and his performance instantly had the crowd on their feet as the band’s rich rhythms, earworm melodies and intricate lush layers of guitar caused the crowd to become feverous with dance tendencies. It was a hearty set filled with sing-alongs, clap-alongs and fun banter.

O’ Meara played new unheard songs that went down spectacularly well with the crowd. The audience was in top form on the night and performed every clap, wave and sing-along that was asked of them. O’Meara even managed to get the crowd to spell out the “Illusion” part from the track ‘Love Illusion’, as a sing-along which is impressive considering illusion is a slippery spelling test when alcohol is involved. Live the singer-songwriter’s music is more expressive; ’Waisting Time’, ‘All Alright’, and ‘Techno or RnB’ all exuded a mesmerising and vigorous indie edge that elevated the tracks to glorious new heights.
O’ Meara’s vocals are very impressive live. On the night this was aptly shown when his full band sound was stripped back for the soul-infused performance of ‘Adore’. O’ Meara oozed emotion and warm tones as his vocals glided over the smooth melody with ease – it was a time-stopping and passionate moment within the set that had the crowd enamoured from start to finish.

The atmosphere was electric in the Workman’s last night. Pauric O’ Meara put on a fantastic, fun-filled show that was a joy to experience. His charming persona is utterly infectious and his passionate performance left much to be admired. Check him out live, you won’t be disappointed.


Author: Danu

Indie, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

Columbia Mills and Dunx Live At Sin É

Sin É reopened its doors this October for “In Through The Out Door”, a month-long series of standalone shows with some of the best acts in Ireland. This series was made possible with support from The Live Venue Collective and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media and features artists such as Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra, Hazey Haze, Toshín, Chrome, Vulpynes, Dani Larkin and much more. With such an extensive line up it’s been an exciting month for Sin É but lasts nights show with Columbia Mills supported by Dunx had everyone excited. The buzzing energy from the eager audience was felt even before the doors were open. People hovered around the front door of Sin É in the rain waiting impatiently for the venue to open so that the night’s revelries could begin. There was something in the air last night that had everyone ready to celebrate the glorious live music Sin É had in store. 

Dunx and his desert-rock toned guitar kicked the night’s music into motion. His deep croons brooded over blues-hued tunes backed by hefty drums and slick bass manoeuvres; the effect was a wholly immersive sound for listeners to indulge in. It was a chill set that sparked cheers and sways from the crowd who loved every minute of it. Dunx is a must-see. His songs are well crafted and display the effortless charm, confidence and musical prowess of this talented artist. 

Filling the venue with rumbling rhythms, dance-infused indie, soaring guitar and the full majesty of their sound Columbia Mills took to the stage. The bittersweet melodies of ‘Strange Game’ and ‘Who Am I Supposed To Talk To Now? came to life within the live setting. The shadowy dark undertones within the band’s songs were perfectly translated through Fiachra Treacy’s intense delivery; eyes closed he was consumed in each song’s immersive hypnotic sound and so was the crowd who danced, swayed and stomped throughout the set. 

The band’s sound is absolutely bewitching. They blend electronic fused melodic pop-rock with dance, and like masterful puppeteers had the audience in the palm of their hands dancing uncontrollably when beckoned.

“We are going to pretend this is our last song”, Treacy announced before the ethereal ‘Never Gonna Look At You The Same’. The serotonin levels soared from this point as both the band and audience gleefully cheered for the encore as fits of dancing and sing along’s en masse reverbed throughout the venue. Columbia Mills know how to put on a show, the encore sent Sin É into glorious chaos. Amidst the crowd one fan was seen with the stool he was sitting on raised above his head, punching the air and proudly marching in time to the rhythm of the music. 

Columbia Mills put on a fantastic live show on Saturday night. They are a band that never disappoints. Their music is well-crafted, passionate and intoxicating and in some cases simply time-stopping ( ‘You’re Not The Answer’ is a fine example of this ). In a live setting, this band is unstoppable. Treacy is an effortless frontman and his irresistible persona is infectious and awe-inspiring to behold. Columbia Mills are a band not to miss live.


Author: Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

Soda Blonde ‘Love Me World’ Single Launch

Soda Blonde presented a visually stunning and musically majestic performance last night. With a setlist adorned with their captivating alternative pop tunes along with artistically clever visuals, they pulled out all the stops to provide an awe inspiring livestream which sets the bar high. The band played in a beautiful period house, performing in different rooms throughout the set while changing lighting and clothes for some of the tracks creating almost music-video quality footage for each song.

Soda Blonde meandered through their musically rich and diverse sound with warmer Fleetwood Mac tunes like ‘June’ seeing jazz-hued wizardry on keys while the disco drizzled ‘Motion’ and emotive melodic swoon of ‘Terrible Hands’ sees bassist Seaver O’Leary swagger through elastic grooves and rhythmic hooks with ease. The band make the most of this live stream freedom using various lighting effects to create a sultry, dazzling and atmospheric ambiance to enhance their enticing alternative pop. Each song flows like a scene from a movie as the band use sharp clips and deft use of framing to add depth and perspective to their performance. At times we see the band shrouded in dense lighting which paints their dark silhouettes against a deep red backdrop, each songs visual drizzles layers of mystery into the performance as a whole while highlighting the band’s musical prowess at the same time.

This platform presents Faye O’Rourke as a spectral beauty. She swishes in a red leather-like dress on a raised platform with Donagh Seaver O’Leary poisly placed behind her like a watchful angel for the sumptuous new single ‘Love Me World’ while Dylan Lynch lays down the bubbling beat on drums and Adam O’Regan struts on guitar. O’Rourke’s vocals are something to behold. Her sultry coos, haunting rasps and powerful tones make her voice bewitching and seductive. There is a residue of Kate Bush about her performance while shimmers of 70/80’s icons such as Debbie Harry pepper the bands synth pop gems in panache. ’Swimming Through The Night’ brings the performance to a close. Just as gripping and exhilarating as ever, the song drifts with ethereal synths floating through a rich tapestry of percussion and drums. The chiming guitars and intricate bass tie all the elements together while adding a dash of edge and raw vigor.

Soda Blonde have a timeless enthralling sound that blends warm elements of folk with clean synth pop sensibilities. Their first class musicianship, masterful songwriting and vibrant soundscapes teamed with passionate vocals make Soda Blonde a band to keep an eye on. 

Stream the new single ‘Love Me World’ below


Author : Danu

Check Out Some More Images From The Show Below

Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Brian McGrane Live On Virtual

Having spent the last five years touring the world’s most iconic stages from the Sydney Opera House to Radio City New York, Dublin based musician Brian McGrane takes to the zoom platform to perform this week’s Virtual, an online event organised by Fluttertone and DootDoot Records. 

McGrane’s set was brimming with heartfelt emotive tunes and light hearted banter. His warm vocals incorporate ample nuance and expression into his performance. However it’s the quirky moments between the emotive tunes that make his show so charming for example he laughs about forgetting the lyrics to his newly written ‘Just Like You’. He gives thoughtful anecdotes and introductions to his tracks as well as reads out the comments from the audience, explaining “sure it’s the same as people heckling me onstage”.

From the soothing tenderness of ‘Miracle’ to the ethereal ‘Take Your Time’ McGrane demonstrates his ability to write sweet pop songs with catchy melodies which drift into the listeners ears with ease. He plays guitar and keys for this performance as the viewers sway and bop to his beautifully crafted tracks clapping and waving between them to show their support and flooding the comment section with compliments.

The audience last night was treated to songs which are freshly written. ‘Inside Out’ (co written with Roseanna Brown and Hannah Avison) is a beautiful example of the magic created within McGrane’s collaborative writing sessions. This romantic gem wonderfully builds into a cinematic delight as McGrane’s soulful vocals do a fine job of creating a welcoming, warm atmosphere. Not even his dad walking past and knocking at his window affects his performance of this track. The Coldplay -esque ‘Bubbles’ brings the show to a powerful end – a beautifully uplifting track which is just as intimate as it is anthemic. I for one enjoyed his set so much it felt as if time flew by.

A Q&A follows the performance with fans asking McGrane about his favourite piece of gear, advice for a songwriter going into a session for the first time and what one album he would bring if he was stranded on an island. McGrane answers every question honestly and in great detail.

McGrane put on a professional and entertaining show. His performance was clean, passionate and earnest and his tunes hold their own charm and grace. It’s difficult to see how anyone wouldn’t be blown away by his ambition and talent. 

Brian McGrane is set to headline Whelan’s on Friday, November 6th he hopes he can do this in some shape or form so keep an eye out for more details. Until then stream his new single ‘Out Of Control’ below 


Author : Danu

Blues, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Tony Villiers Live On Virtual

Fluttertone and dootdoot Records have come together to create an online live music venue, called Virtual using the Zoom platform to host a series of intimate evenings of exclusively live and interactive performances and this week’s Virtual saw Tony Villiers take to the platform for an exclusive performance.

Together with his band ‘The Villains’, Tony Villiers has released three studio albums, receiving ‘Honourable Mentions’ in The International Song Writing Competition, judged by Tom Waits, Robert Smith, Jerry Lee Lewis and Black Francis amongst others as well as a ‘Daily Discovery’ feature by American Songwriter Magazine. On the road with ‘The Villains’ he has played many festivals in Ireland including Kilkenny Roots, Electric Picnic and Stendhal as well as radio plays by Ricky Ross on BBC Radio Scotland, Fiachna Ó Braonáin on RTE Radio and BBC Radio Ulster with Ralph McLean. With an artist like Villier this week’s Virtual was sure to be one heck of a show. 

Villiers’ soothing vocals delight the swaying viewers as his warm croons drift through enigmatic tracks like ‘Mexico’. He dedicates songs to friends as he banters about The “Old” American Bar in Belfast, reminiscing on a time someone bravely danced barefoot there as well as discussing the memories he has of jamming with his band.

Accompanied by his trusty old Spanish guitar ( which was made in 1983 and Villiers claims is “temperamental, doesn’t like the Irish weather” ) teamed with his busted harmonica the show is relaxed and effortlessly fun. Villiers is a passionate and professional performer. His buoyant blues-hued folk songs will charm your foot to tap along or entice you to get up and sway around the room. He bewitches with his smooth melodies, witty lyrics and majestic musical display. Once Villiers begins to play, a cloak of good times nostalgia hides and covers everything hectic that could have happened that day and leaves you in a state of elated jubilation.

With blues elements coupled with indie folk undertones and country twangs along with glorious blasts on harmonica he provides a wonderful and relaxed atmosphere. There is something enthralling about his performance style; maybe it’s the uplifting cruising tunes or the laid back soundscapes of his acoustic set up but Villiers set was a special moment for sure.

He occasionally sips red wine as he greets and gives shout-outs to the viewers while playing recently written tracks such as ‘The End of The World Blues’ and old favourites ‘Rock Salt’ as well as a smashing rendition of Bob Dylans ‘Dream’. 

Villiers has a knack for presenting relatable themes through his charming songwriting however it’s his likable character and effortless persona which ignites his tracks and makes them so enjoyable. The new music he is jamming and working on at the moment is an exciting glimpse of what is next from Tony Villiers.

An intimate Q&A follows the performance with Villiers talking about his biggest obstacles, his new album and how he got through lockdown as well as some wonderful anecdotes about his life. This is an invaluable aspect of Virtual, for fans to get to talk to the artist and have a personal chat in a relaxed environment. Virtual is proving to be an excellent opportunity for both fans and artists alike.

You Can Follow Tony Villiers on Facebook here

https://www.facebook.com/villiersandthevillains


Author : Danu

Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

LIVE With Saibh Skelly Review

Fluttertone and Dublin Concerts have come together to present LIVE. A special interactive intimate show on the zoom platform. Dublin singer-songwriter and busker Saibh Skelly headlined last night’s show. Blending sensitive acoustic vibes and irresistible melodies with sweet passionate songwriting along with a healthy sprinkling of covers, it was a tight and enjoyable set. She performs pristine covers of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Best Part of Me’, ‘Tenerife Sea’ and a hair-raising rendition of Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Climb’, however, it’s the mesmerising effect of Skelly’s warm emotive vocals and calm persona which catches the audiences attention.

Last night we witnessed a budding artist’s growth as Skelly performed her original songs and even some she has not fully finished or named yet. Her own songs are of course the highlight of the show. Skelly displays maturity and tenderness with ease through her charming lyrics and wispy ballads, ‘Be Mine’ a new “mom approved” song and  ‘What If’ all flow with grace and subtle pop sensibilities.

At such a young age she is quite the impressive artist. Displaying such confidence, charm and knack with ear worm melodies, it’s easy to imagine Skelly’s songs bellowed back by a swaying arena crowd as she holds the same melodic prowess and emotion as one of her influences, Ed Sheeran. Her tunes are a hit among the viewers, they comment with praise and adoration for her and her songs. Some said they could listen to her all night and that “someday when she is playing stadiums we will be able to say we were fans when she was performing on zoom” and “ we were fans even when she had a pink guitar”. 

Skelly has established herself as a intelligent storyteller. ‘Do You Love Me’ in particular broods with a wistful melody while the raw emotion in Skelly’s vocals hits the listener to their core. There is innocence and maturity within this simple acoustic performance as Skelly holds herself without fuss or fanfare, allowing her songs and voice to speak for her. Skelly planned to close her set with ’Mistakes We Make’ however the viewers had other plans, they surge the comment section with requests for “one more tune!” so she sweetly obliges with another not yet finished, un-named and heartbreaking original track. This un-named and not yet finished gem is a wonderful example of Skelly evolving her craft and songwriting into something very special. Last night Saibh Skelly proved she is an artist to keep an eye on.

An exclusive Q&A followed the performance where viewers could purchase VIP tickets to enter another zoom session after the show to ask questions and have a chat with Saibh Skelly. She answers the questions with ease, from when did she start playing music to how she subtly encrypts her songs so it’s not obvious who they are written about. She explains how helpful and valuable her parents are to her as well as how often she practices for busking. It is through this special Q&A we get a glimpse of her bubbly character and persona. In my opinion this part of the show is a great way to get to know the artist performing on the platform. Topics such as overcoming writer’s block, dealing with nerves as well as the honest details about getting songs on Spotify all come up on the Q&A making it an invaluable platform and community for both fans and artists alike. 

To get an idea of how talented Saibh Skelly is check out her track ‘Do You Love Her’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Sam Wickens live on Virtual

AER Music, Fluttertone and dootdoot Records have come together to create a series of intimate evenings of exclusive live performances from the best emerging and established artists.Last night they had the music sensation that is Sam Wickens.

Sam Wickens enchanted the viewers of Virtual last night.There is nothing more special than a performance from Wickens. We saw him in his home studio all geared up and tech savvy. He ventures through tunes with acoustic guitar, synths and reverb as well as some haunting effects. He has become known as the “tech wizard of Oz”, for he has been helping other artists that have performed on Virtual making sure their sound is crisp and clear. However tonight it’s all about the beauty in his songs and majesty of his voice.

Wickens is a passionate performer and exceptional instrumentalist ( he made his synth himself) however it’s the moments of heightened emotion and depth within his songs that takes your breath away – tracks such as ‘I Was’ breaks your heart in a swift, raw and striking instant.His performance is wholly consuming as he ventures between country, soul and folk with ease while subtly adding delicate textures in the background. While having a cheeky little vape during the set as well, Wickens explains he is “mathematically challenged when it comes to song length times “ and planning his time for shows.

Wickens shows the tenderness and emotion in his voice through the immaculate ‘Winter’ while ‘Oh Mother’ displays the rich and soulful marvel of his vocal range. He uses synths and effects to create a haunting atmosphere and reverb. The synths fill out the sound while at the same time emphasising the purest form of his music. Wickens treats us to some new tracks from an EP he will be releasing later this year.Yet to be released ‘Murky Waters’ in particular is perfection.The lush falsetto, foot tapping tempo and soothing melody creates a heavenly melodic ambience while ‘Cliff Side’ is a folk-hued number that has Wickens “trying to be a didgeridoo”. The set continues with fans asking him to do four more… five more songs, Wickens jokingly replies “I’ll do none, I’ll feck off now” before delving into the latter half of his set. 

There is real serenity to the performance, a great relaxation that’s beautiful to witness as Wickens plays guitar and keys with ease. Not only can Wickens present moving and lyrically poetic songs he can drift through some pretty slick covers as well. A time stopping cover of Tom Petty’s ‘Crawling Back To You’ graces the setlist however it is the much sought after ‘Jericho’ which leads to revered appreciation and adoration from the viewers. 

Sam Wickens is an artist to treasure. His songs form their own universe, primed for the listener to dive in and find their own little corner to indulge and delight in. His technical virtuosity and moving vocals are incomparable and this Virtual medium gives a real frisson of excitement and thrill to Wickens performance creating the space, silence and mood to truly appreciate his beautiful songs.

A Q&A follows the performance which satisfies the insatiable need of the viewers to ask and connect with Wickens. Questions from what’s your favourite fruit, favourite burger joint to how does he get into the head space for his songs, inspirations as well as more personal topics such as him being a “sober little pickle”.He has fans in Canada and America watching. Unfortunately “Sammy” is “too cool to say it back” to fans declaring their love for him however this does not halt the flood of compliments and love for Wickens from pouring in.This Q&A in particular is lively and Wickens banters and chats honestly to his fans providing them with a more personal one to one conversation approach which is a special feature of this Virtual medium. Another mind blowing performance on our weekly fix of Virtual.

Stream Sam Wickens new single ‘Eden’ below


Author : Danu

Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Brian Houston Live on Virtual

AER Music, Fluttertone and dootdoot Records have come together to create live streams on the Zoom platform and last night was another outstanding evening of music as they hosted Belfast singer songwriter Brian Houston.

Deciding to play his new unreleased album Brian Houston provided a night of relaxed country rock. His warm, rasped vocals reverb with a velvety soothing quality. He could sing anything and it would comfort and soothe your soul.This glimpse into the new album was a real treat and showcased just how good a singer songwriter Houston is. The lamenting guitar accompaniment in ‘I Let Her Go’, ‘Good News Junkie’ and ‘The Angel On The Corner’ is emotive and powerful yet delicate and tender all at once.

Houston puts on a full and consuming show. His anecdotes and stories between tracks about opening for Elvis Costello, how he wrote his songs and even a rendition on Mandolin of Happy Birthday for one of his friends was a joy to listen to. They provided some light hearted relief from the emotional heavy hitting tracks. Houston has a wonderful ability to break your heart and stir emotion within the listener and the striped back acoustic version of his songs last night cut deep with passion and thrived within the live acoustic setting. Oozing spellbinding and spine-tingling charm Houston sings about religion, love and the people he has met through the years. His witty lyrics and calming tone lulled us into a world of folk/country rock.

For me the bright and charming ‘She Got That From Me’ was a highlight in the set along with Houston’s sweet falsetto in the delicate ballad ‘If’. However it is ‘Spanish’ which is the pinnacle moment of the show. Houston’s harmonica slices through a haze of melancholia while the lyrics depict the lives and sorrow of the people who lived in residential schools in towns such as Spanish, Ontario, Canada. It’s a beautiful, touching and melodically magnificent number which stirs hopelessness, fear and sorrowful remorse in the hearts of anyone who hears this song. The wonderful advantage of these Virtual shows is the audience’s silence. The silence allows songs like ‘Spanish’ to really hit home as you can hear every emotive word with such piercing clarity. 

A Q&A follows the show with Houston answering questions about how he writes his songs, what he is doing in lockdown and what a ghillie weeper bird is ( ‘a wee bird that at the end of its life cycle goes round and round in ever decreasing circles until it disappears up its own backside’ ). 

Brian Houston performed an outstanding set last night. His clear, deep vocals provide moments of sweet tenderness alongside subtle gravel-hued coos and sweet highs which evoke raw passion and emotion. There is no fuss or extravagance with Houston’s set – its honest, pure good tunes. Last night featured another knockout performance on Virtual. I have to hand it to AER Music, Fluttertone and dootdoot Records, these guys are highlighting some serious talent every week. 

Stream Brian Houston’s ‘Good News Junkie’ below 


Author : Danu