GiggingNI.com

A Sunday night is never the optimal time for a gig and, sadly, on initial first impressions of Auntie Annie's, Twin Atlantic seemed to face the prospect of playing to an almost empty room. Local support band, Exit, took to the small stage to a disinterested audience of few. Despite enthusiasm from all four band members, their alternative mix of indie mixed with more powerful rock did not seem to connect. Poor between song interaction could easily be blamed on the illness of half the band, but, in this case, it could be fuelled by, dare I say it, disinterest of the audience. With subtly layered songs like 'City on the Sea' and 'Man on the Moon,' the band has the capacity to appeal to those with a leaning towards more classic rock styling like that of Stereophonics, but without quite the same mass appeal.

Despite the poor turnout, which marginally grew before and during the headline set, there was a shift in atmosphere as the band prepared to tale to the stage. Even though the number was few, those who were there expected a good performance and were not to be disappointed.

Even from opener 'Lightspeed,' front man Sam McTrusty is able to evoke a response that would not have been feasible if not for the band's enrapturing stage presence and big songs. This may also have been helped by an early stage departure to play amongst those that formed the crowd. There is no messing about as the quartet rip through tracks from their recently released album 'Vivarium' with precision and aplomb, visibly lifting the energy in the room as they do.

Most noticeably about the band's performance is guitarist, and cello player, Barry McKenna's relentless, and often sporadic, movement onstage. Not content with the limits of the small stage, frequent offstage moments laced their set, almost to the injury of those on his side. His fluid cello playing for 'Better Weather' is offset by his guitar playing style which included the use of a full bottle of water from arm's reach at one particular moment.

Despite such instances, the band's sound does not waver. A brief between song interaction with one of the more intoxicated members of the crowd established a more personal aspect to the set which would have hampered the night if it had not occurred. Between song banter had been kept to a minimum before this, possibly due to the small crowd or perhaps Sam McTrusty is a man of few words, but the sarcastic joke of meeting a drunken Irishman cemented the crowd's impression of the band.

Possibly one of the more recognisable songs, 'What is Light? Where is Laughter?', may have been one of the highlights of the set with a positive reaction from both band and audience giving the impression that there were more people enjoying this set than there was in reality.

Closer 'Audience and Audio' seemed bittersweet. Twin Atlantic's prowess hits a raucous and echoing note in its ending but makes you want the band to play for longer. Despite the small draw on this one date, this is a band that's growing momentum and may soon be unstoppable. For some bands, there are people who wish they had been to that one small show they played before the band were big: Twin Atlantic is one of those bands.

Venue: Auntie Annies, Belfast - Date: 4/10/2009

GiggingNI.com Rating: 8/10 - Review By: Naomi Carson