Bank Of Ireland National Student Music Awards live at TBMC, Dublin

Lotus Lullaby could do worse then buy a handful of lottery tickets. The Cork disco swingers are on a roll. Fresh from their win at Murphy’s Live, the electro infused four-piece continued their domination of the country’s battle of the bands contests with a resounding win at the Bank of Ireland sponsored Student Music Awards. An achievement of some prestige, Gavin Dunne & Co. now find themselves with more studio time than they know what to do with. Best of all however, is the chance to complete a hat-trick of wins at the UK and Irish final next month – an event Delorentos won last year, kick-starting a bevy of A&R interest in the Dubliners.
Yet despite Lotus Lullaby’s ability to liberally infect audiences with their synth driven grooves, they stood atop a distinctly average collection of finalists. All six acts - from Limerick, Dublin, Cork and Galway – have much to do if they’re to move up to the next level, all lacking that killer song or extra something. Certainly though, many were not shy of potential.
With the inklings of a fine song in the memorable ‘Lowtide’, Dublin’s Autobahn indicated they may yet bloom, the trio being in possession of the look and attitude to match their Libertines/Oasis blend of Brit-rock. Galway seven-piece The Roll Models blended quirky arrangements and kooky vocals, though their youth showed, and only on the set-closer ‘Kevin’ did they fully take advantage of the range of musicians at their disposal. Elsewhere Limerick quartet Roper at times excelled with their ferocious stampede of hard rock and black humour, particularly on ‘Gallows Hill’, while much touted Dubliners Lost shone technically, though again crucially lacked the strength of material to match their epic performance.
Rising to the top in two successive competitions is a fine achievement on the part of Lotus Lullaby, though if they’re to claim the prize they’re after, much work lies ahead.