Gig Review: The Strypes & Others

As Derry-Londonderry's eight day Foyle Maritime Festival begins, the seven day Music City Festival nears its end. Where and how better to end it than with four high profile bands from around the country under the Guildhall roof? Or so we hope...

First up are the constantly evolving and energetic Derry quartet The Wood Burning Savages. Paul Connolly's magnetic concentration, Dan Acheson's commanding presence, Fiachra O'Longain's steady guitar playing and Aaron McClelland's reflexes guide us, along with the multi-coloured lighting, through a kinetic, forceful and high volume nine-song set. The band's thunder and passion ring clear and true, even if the audience are not yet large and settled enough to fully appreciate it.

Picking up where Connolly and company left off, albeit with a more country, Americana look - they even have the haircuts to prove it! - are Belfast's ExMagician, the brainchild of Cashier No. 9 songwriters Danny Todd and James Smith.

They look unsettlingly relaxed, like the kind of characters you'd find in From Dusk Till Dawn, but like that movie they are favourably adept with unexpected tonal shifts. Initially jolly, even loopy, bass riffs indicate an attempt to capitalise on the Nathan Carter craze but without the tackiness - and that's entirely welcome.

Three songs in, greater rhythm and depth immediately emerges, signalling a slight but noticeable musical transition from which the band arise to channel the noughties more than the sixties, more Kasabian than Kinks.

Not that this matters for a refreshingly laid back, confident and mature performance that sets a high benchmark for what follows.

Punky bluesters The Bonnevilles, also from Belfast, are an entirely different beast. Dressed like they have just returned from a wake, Andrew McGibbon Jnr and Christopher McMullan set out to give us a punchy, guitar and drums based musical awakening.

It's less experimental and more punctuated, but so far very appreciative. Each act on the night, up until now, has been different in looks and playing style to one another.

Their smooth and dryly humorous manner reflects a duo who need and get their uplift through explosive music. For a two man band they muster an impressive presence, and the growing crowd take notice.

Drums and guitar then take turns and overlap in an effect not entirely unlike early Franz Ferdinand, but unfortunately without the catchiness.

That said, the audience appear attuned to the sway of the set and don't look like letting go. They are rewarded with a blindly chaotic closing that brightens up everyone standing right beside the stage.

For everyone else, it's an assault on the eardrums. Even if it befits the increasing upbeatness of the night, there are times when you wish the band would slow down a little.

Then again, their pace is just the right lead in for headliners The Strypes. The Cavan-based quartet of Ross Farrelly, Josh McClorey, Pete O'Hanlon and Evan Walsh truly are worth waiting for, the herky, jerky, but self-awarely amusing roboticism and motormouth singing of their leading men a true bolt from the blue.

Imagine if Noel Gallagher had entered the shop of Neil Hannon's tailor in the 1990s and come out more unique and stylish, both in voice and appearance, and you'll get the idea. Add exceptionally manic and expressive guitar and harmonica playing with an expectedly high standard of drumming, and you've a truly remarkable combination.

By refusing to be categorised, being open to adaption and bearing their heart on their sleeve, this band really earn their strypes (sic).

Bluesy breathers are on hand with fine covers of Stormy Monday and Smoke Stack Lightning, a calm intro to a steady trio of songs that pump the Guildhall with life and leave everyone keen for the encore that duly comes - a fitting conclusion.

Simon Fallaha

The Strypes, The Bonnevilles, ExMagician, The Wood Burning Savages, Guildhall, Derry-Londonderry played at Derry-Londonderry's Guildhall on July 9 as part of the Music City Festival.

Photo by Simon Fallaha