The Nokia New Music Tour rolls into Cork on the night of the second World Cup semi-final. Beating my way into the venue past 50 inebriated Frenchmen singing ‘Les Marseilles’, I can't help but wonder whether or not Director, The Blizzards, The Marshals and The Flaws are going to pull any sort of crowd.
As it turns out, Cyprus Avenue is no different to the Dundalk, Galway and Limerick gigs that have preceded it – full houses, enthusiastic crowds and a general expectancy that lurking amongst the four bands might just be a potential Snow Patrol.
“Some of the crowds have come out of curiousity,” proffers Flaws frontman Paul Finn, “but we’ve been surprised how many people know the tunes. No two bands sound the same, which says a lot about the depth and quality of Irish music at the moment.”
Finn’s confidence in the line-up is shared by Director's Michael Moloney.
“We’ve played in the UK recently with a good few bands,” he says, “and I can honestly say that the ones on this tour are more interesting.”
Judging by tonight's evidence, the backslapping is justified.
The Flaws get things off to a pacy start, finishing their set with a rocking version of the new single ‘Out Tonight’. Director pick up the baton and run through an angularly riffed set. The sound is good and the crowd buzzing. The Blizzards’ shit-hot mix of ska, indie and cool-sounding keys raises the temperature another notch before The Marshals, arguably the best supported band of the night, complete the job with a rousing set that bodes well for their debut album due in early 2007.
Later, the UK comparison is expanded upon by The Marshals’ James O'Brien.
“Over here people still know what they like musically," he avers. "You have to have good songs and then maybe they'll look at the image. It's the other way around in the UK, with how cool the band are and who they're shagging being what matters most."
Blizzards frontman Brez picks up the thread: “We’ve worked hard, we have ambition. Unless you put your balls on the line, give up your job and practice ‘til your fingers bleed, it won’t happen for you. Things have changed, it’s so competitive now, dog eat dog. The four bands here are close, I mean really close, but at the end of the day we have to compete against each other. But that’s a healthy thing.
“I’ve so much respect for these guys,” he concludes, “because I know how much hard graft it takes and the sacrifices they're making. Usually the pricks who put down bands are the ones who can’t get off their arses and make it work for themselves.”
Pics: Kieran Hurley