GiggingNI.com

The Good Fight

With John Shelly and the Creatures; Dirty 9s;

Auntie Annies in Belfast is a local treasure, downstairs will give people the chance to socialise and drink the night away, but it's upstairs where the magic really happens. Tonight, three bands are playing in aid of a charity, and it just so happens that the three bands in question turn out to be some of the most promising acts around in the local scene today.

First to take the stage are Dublin based band the Dirty 9's, who waste no time at all blasting into their very own take on Indie Rock. Although the crowd stay stationary, the Dirty 9's play with a passion usually reserved for a headline slot. To describe their sound is difficult, the band manage to create a great sense of urgency throughout their songs, with vocals that remind somewhat of Placebo's Brian Molko. The standout track "Lucy Opus" is a track that oozes substance and is performed with a firm stage presence that holds the attention of the ever increasing crowd. By the end of their set, it is apparent the Dirty 9's have set the par for the evening, and a pretty high one at that.

There is a certain hype that surrounds John Shelly and the Creatures, not only do they win the prize for the best name of the night, but they also manage to shatter any preconceptions that I may have held. If you think you know this band based solely on their recorded output, think again. On the live stage tonight, their Pop/Indie crossover stands out as something of a shock. They play like they have something to prove, and perhaps they do. Their song 'Long May You Reign' is still a gem, and with its use in the latest run of NI Tourist Board ads it has no doubt helped to create the air of anticipation that follows the band. John Shelly and the Creatures seem determined to prove that there is more to them than this one song. They do this by playing harder, more confident, and tighter than anyone could have expected, and although 'Long May You Reign' gets the loudest reception, you are left with the distinct impression that this band have a lot more tricks up their sleeves.

The Good Fight, the headline act and final band of the night, are here to make their mark. They stand out from the local scene for the best of reasons. To label The Good Fight in the same vein as Snow Patrol would not do this band justice. Tonight they perform on a level more akin to that of Radiohead having created a sound that is deep, engaging, and emotive, sometimes all at once. Singer Ben Robinson has a voice so interesting that it stands out as key to the bands appeal, and it is clear that based on tonight's performance that The Good Fight hold a unique style. Tracks such as 'Landslide' and 'Last Time' prove this bands worth, and the atmosphere by the end of their set was at an all time high of the night.

The fact remains that any one of these bands showcased here tonight could have been headlining, and although the music was of a similar style throughout the night, each band held their own and performed with an honesty rarely found in Indie gigs of this nature. Oh, and it's all for a good cause! All in a days work.

Download JSATC's song, 'Angeline', here!
Download The Good Fight's song, 'Landslide', here!