The Cribs, Joe Lean & the Jing Jang Jong, Does It Offend You, Yeah? and the Ting Tings at Mandela Hall, Belfast
"...for the most part it’s all fashion and no passion for the current crop of mop-topped bright young things."
Edwin McFee, 18 Feb 2008
Band names just ain’t what they used to be, and for the most part it’s all fashion and no passion for the current crop of mop-topped bright young things.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, as the Ting Tings ably prove tonight in front of about 12 people in Belfast. Although they’re ushered onstage at an ungodly hour (7.30pm!) the delectable duo charm the crowd with their Bis-esque kandy Pop and are more than a little promising. Ones to watch in the future methinks.
The same, on the other hand, can’t be said for the frankly farcical Does It Offend You, Yeah? At one stage their impossibly monikered singer Morgan Quintance looks like even he can’t believe that people have fallen for his hackneyed electro-rock schtick. In short, do they offend me? Well, yeah actually.
Joe Lean’s set is also an exercise in mediocrity. Their upcoming single ‘Lonely Buoy’ is ace, but the band lacks any spark of danger, and the svelte songwriter is playing it safe in Belfast. This writer gives them a D for disappointing.
There’s nothing disappointing about tonight’s performance from The Cribs though. From the get-go, the brothers Jarman are going for the jugular, unleashing their art-punk arsenal to the now heaving crowd. At one stage Ryan stage-dives and emerges shoeless and confused (well, he is in Belfast) but The Cribs look like they feel right at home in the Mandela Hall. It’s hard to pick a favourite among the set of sonic nuggets, but ‘Hey Scenesters’ and ‘Men’s Needs’ sound life-affirming. Maybe the indie kids don’t have it so bad after-all, eh?
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