Having arrived at Rosemount not having heard anything of the first two bands in the bill, I had goosebumps before I got through the door with the haunting strains of Scott Nicholas paired with the lustful soul of Gabrielle Harter drifting down the alleyway. It took me a while to reach for my camera as I sat there spellbound by the naked, yet all enveloping sound that is That Velvet Echo. To me, music should be about emotion and these five oozed it from every pore, delivering a performance that left me wanting so much more whilst also reaching for a cigarette in the afterglow of some lovers tryst.
Cim Ciaru followed with some good hard, honest punk & rock, even including an ode to a beloved BMX bike. Great guitar licks and some serious bass. Gotta love the muttonchops too.
The Long Strides came on to headline the show and put on a performance to match. Mathew Jenkins tortured vocals were a delight to hear and the band provided a platform well suited. Deep, melodic yet with pace. Well worth the wait.
