Whelan’s is one of the gems of Dublin, and it’s got a well-earned reputation as the venue for true music fans. With that in mind, there’s no better place to hold a festival like Ones to Watch, where up-and-coming acts get a chance to shine. Last night was the first set of gigs at Whelan’s, with acts performing on both the main and the upstairs stages. Three of the acts we got a chance to see were Katie Laffan, of our own Hot Press Big Break contest fame, indie-pop newcomer LAOISE, and rockers Brass Phantoms.
When we first heard Katie Laffan back in 2013, she was a seventeen-year-old acoustic musician who never expected to be named the winner of Hot Press’s Big Break competition. Now, she’s come back in full swing with a whole band backing her up. Playing all-new material, Laffan proves that she’s grown up since she was on the Hot Press cover. She’s still keeping up the familiar grin and has the same personality reflected in her music, but collaborating with a band has brought a whole new maturity to her work.
Indie-pop vocalise LAOISE has just released a new single, “You,” that’s already closing in on a hundred thousand streams on Spotify. Her vocals are the defining feature of her performance, and she’s got two backup vocalists that are more than capable of keeping up with her. They sing a cover of Nirvana’s “Come As You Are,” which is a bold move, especially at a festival for up-and-coming artists, but the power of their combined vocals makes it an unforgettable rendition.
Rock band Brass Phantoms brought a change of pace as they took to the stage with some head-banging numbers from their EP. They’re more than willing to connect with the audience, as their set ends with frontman Ryan Cashell leaping from the stage into the centre of the floor with his bass. If you missed it, you’ve got another chance to catch up with Brass Phantoms this weekend, as they play the Button Factory this Saturday along with Otherkin and Overhead, The Albatross. Whelan's Ones to Watch continues through this weekend.