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…
Urban singer Katy B turns things up a gear with her dance-infused pop salvos and she’s the star of the night as far as this writer’s concerned. Putting in an effortlessly cool performance, the songstress treats us to the titanic (sorry) ‘Lights On’ and ‘Katy On A Mission’ and leaves us in no doubt that she has a very bright future ahead of her.
Finally, it’s left to headliner Olly Murs to finish the event and over the next 40 minutes or so the be-hatted pop behemoth does his best to engage the crowd with his nu-white boy soul sounds, backed by his nine-piece band. The ‘50s pop of ‘Dance With Me Tonight’ is arguably one of the best moments of the night and while the show lags a little in the middle due to a lack of anthems, set closer ‘Heart Skips A Beat’ sees the tunesmith end the evening on a high alongside the returning Rizzle Kicks.