For a band that have only been together for just over a year, Orchid Collective look remarkably comfortable playing in front of a packed-to-capacity room upstairs in Whelan’s. Indeed, it’s only during the between-song banter that any sign of nerves can be detected, as the band marvel at the crowd they have drawn to the launch of what is only their second single.
In truth, they have little to be nervous about. Their epic, cinematic sound occupies the same landscape as seasoned veterans like The National or For The Birds-era Frames, and easily fills the small venue. You can tell straight away that it will be an easy hop to the main venue downstairs; what’s more, it's easy to imagine Orchid Collective claiming a place on festival main stages for years to come. That’s how important they can become, if they fully realise their abundant potential...
Kicking off proceedings with first single ‘Figure It Out’, the band set out their stall early. The rhythm section of Brian Rooney on drums and Hugh O’Neill on bass pulls and drags impressively, building skilfully and slowly; Shea Tohill’s excellent effects-laden guitar trills melodically; and beautiful, textured vocal harmonies are joined with David O’Shea’s fine voice, lifting the song powerfully as it rises to a crescendo.
Part of the band’s charm is in how easily O’Shea establishes an intimacy between himself and the audience, with just his voice and acoustic guitar. It’s a testament to the songwriting that the delivery can seem so personal and direct, when the sound that they create together is characteristically so expansive. The stuttering beat of ‘Blindfold’ is an early highlight as it drops away to allow more gorgeous harmonies to fly, constantly teasing a potential climax until thundering bass and pounding drums lead the song into a breathless outro.
Then it’s time for new single ‘Lay As Stone’. Before it begins, O’Shea asks the crowd to film the performance on their phones and upload the footage to Facebook, from whence the band will assemble the fan shot footage into a second video for the single. It’s a driving, upbeat number ready-made for radio and festival audiences.
Orchid Collective finish their set with what will be their next single, ‘Waited On The Sun’, a perfect finale that brings together the best of all that came before, the vocal harmonies really soaring now over the staccato bass and drums. All told, it was a superb performance from a band who have quickly established themselves as real contenders.
Special mention should be made of support act, and Hot Press ‘Most Promising Artist 2016’ nominee, Maria Kelly. Her performance is heartbreakingly unassuming, yet holds everyone spellbound with a voice that could knock you sideways and songwriting chops that bring to mind artists like Julia Stone and Lisa Hannigan. One to watch for sure...

Peter McNally