The enigmatic Si Schroeder eschews music from his Choice-nominated Coping Mechanisms in favour of an all-new set that runs one deeply textured song to another. He introduces each dense composition with a droll aside: eg “This song is about being lost underground.”
Organs and guitars squalling, drums rolling, Schroeder’s ‘White Cities’, the final track, is also the stand-out. It rides a breathless, 10-minute groove that has the introspective trio of performers seemingly oblivious to the audience.
Earlier, we’re treated to sets from up and comers Trumpets Of Jericho from Cork and Dublin ‘alien pop duo’ Nanu Nanu. The former four-piece boast attitude in spades with a dollop of West Coast ‘70s pop, to which they add wailing vocals and a discordant Pixies-like chug. Synth-heavy Nanu Nanu, aided here by a live drummer, win in the style stakes, sporting studded headpieces, Sonic teddies and glowing lights. They perform in front of a screen with concentric circles hypnotising the audience. Jaw-dropping covers of Katie Kim’s ‘The Feast’ and Blondie’s ‘Heart Of Glass’ impress mightily, while the dancefloor beat of ‘The Tron’ finishes procedings off in some style.
Alan Owens