GiggingNI.com
The Thermals
With Sketches;
It was like any other typical Thursday night in Belfast. Outside the wind was howling, the rain was pouring its way through any available gaps in the clouds, and the streets were empty while everyone was preparing themselves for another night at Sketchy. But in the cosy surroundings of upstairs in Auntie Annies, it was easy to forget these traumatic conditions. Upon stepping through the doors to watch The Thermals and Sketches play their only show in Northern Ireland, it was still quite surprising that the turnout was so poor, even by taking into consideration that the majority of the population would be charging their batteries for The Prodigy gig the following day.
Nevertheless, Sketches took the stage and put on a performance that would be worthy of joining the big acts on Friday. It was hard to believe while watching them that they were only a four piece from Leeds, and when they started to churn out their powerful melodic songs, showing influences from Radiohead, the sound echoed through the room like they were joined by an orchestral movement. While looking around the growing audience, everyone was completely transfixed on James pounding a bass drum while letting his voice work magic, creating a beautifully atmospheric sound, which would make even the most difficult person to musically please give this band a second glance. Even between each song, the four lads would keep the audience smiling with quirky comments, and it was sometimes quite easy to forget that these guys where only the support act. After finishing a pitch-perfect set with 'Dear Heart', Sketches left the stage with a lasting impression.
The crowd was now piling in, and by the time The Thermals arrived on stage the place itself was getting quite packed out. After what seemed like a rocky start (the crowd still reeling from the support act) Thermals soon won over their audience by their combination of punk riffs and general fun. If the Presidents of the USA and The Subways had an affair with Green Day, this band would be their lovechild. Simple and to the point, it was impossible not to find yourself tapping your feet, bopping your head, and generally trying to hold yourself down from leaping off your seat to dance about to their catchy beats. Tune after tune after tune, The Thermals lacked any interaction with the crowd. But, in fairness, there didn't need to be any. They came on, gave it everything, threw out songs like 'Here's Your Future', 'Returning to the Fold' and by the time 'Now You Can See' was blasted out the amps, the audience were clapping along, tapping anything they could, and it came down to the music speaking for itself. It was FUN - Almost reminiscent of being 13 dancing about in your bedroom to pop punk anthems.
Both bands definitely caught your attention. While Sketches left the audience transfixed, unable to move their gaze from the stage, The Thermals left the crowd unable to not move. Two more different bands couldn't have been placed together, but worked better. Great turnout, great bands, great night.
