MTV PRESENTS TITANIC SOUNDS
Edwin McFee, 19 Apr 2012

After gleefully getting into bed with the global broadcasting colossus that is MTV for a one-night-stand back in November for the EMA’s, Belfast City Councilors have regularly reminded the good people of NI that the company, at some point, will return for a “spectacular” event sooner rather than later. With rumours of Coldplay, Foo Fighters and (god forbid) yet another Snow Patrol appearance doing the rounds, the announcement that X-Factor runner-up Olly Murs would be headlining the Titanic Sounds bash left many feeling a little short-changed, it has to be said. Add that to the fact that the venue of choice was at the local council’s multi-million pound tribute to Belfast’s biggest failure (ie. the new Titanic museum/centre/mausoleum) and you’ve got many music fans scratching their heads in bewilderment.
Still, never let it be said that Hot Press doesn’t enjoy a good party, so we’ve left our reservations regarding the Titanic celebrations and general maritime mania at home and we’re down bright and early to see pop strumpet Pixie Lott jerk the curtain, so to speak. Boasting a pleasing set of pipes and a clutch of inoffensive ditties (including the ace ‘Kiss The Stars’ and ‘Mama Do’), the singer warms the crowd up well before English hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks take over shortly afterwards. It’s been a pretty stellar few months for the well thought of two-piece, and the crowd in Belfast (particularly the younger ladies) goes suitably mental for their breezy brand of rap. The Clash-sampling ‘When I Was A Youngster’ is a great pop song and a definite highlight, and ‘Down With The Trumpets’ proves that they’re not just a one-hit-wonder.
Next up, dancehall/reggae type Sean Paul returns from hibernation for a set that features old and new material. Sadly though, it appears that some of the crowd have already forgotten about the performer and during ‘Gimme The Light’ this reviewer even hears some punters ask whether he’s fellow Jamaican rapper Shaggy. To paraphrase the aforementioned artist though, “it wasn’t him,” folks…