Hard Working Class Heroes Festival 2008

Ultimate of Irish music, the festival line-up catered all imaginable tastes with eighty homespun talents and an 'Invasion' curated by Sons & Daughters, one of Scotland's finest musical exports of recent years.

Friday kicked off with a quirky blend of alternative pop from Fred in Meeting House Square despite the persistent shrilling of a neighbouring alarm.They exploded into a big deal across the Atlantic this year and have the tour dates to prove it.

Flying to the Button Factory for Panama King's set, to my dismay the bands were running twenty minutes early and the northerners had already finished. Instead re-routed to Fiach, only to emerge minutes later, ears ringing from a crucifying volume level of intimate Dame Lane.

Curious to hear Scotland's offering, DeSalvo in Eamon Dorans greeted my arrival with a gob of spittle from a pig-nosed oaf, semi-naked save for rubber abbatoir garb. Bizarre but it worked: the frontman's menancing yowls set off melodic, metallic wails from the most visually engaging rockers I've seen in a long time. Irish bands should take a leaf from our neighbours' book of how to rock the fuck out.

Highlight status went to The Revellions, who played in utter darkness at Academy2 after a lighting malfunction created an immensely atmospheric setting for their oozing Stoogesque garage rock, accentuated by lead vocalist Ali Moore's rasping background as a blues singer. Triumphant in the download chart and regulars in London's Dirty Water Club, greatness is a very real possibility for these unlikely five.

Saturday's big draw was BATS in MHS, taut explosive blends of skilled vocal and instrumental lines with a voracious appetite for noise. Though good to see them on a huge stage, they really should have played detached ALT instead of Scotland's Foxface.

Up-and-coming The Parks in Eamon Dorans... ah, to be seventeen again! Despite impressive indie rock there's a nervous quiver in these boys' eyes. Expect to see their awful name plastered all over posters dead soon.

Noise Control in The Academy were bringing the bass back into basement, their dirty rock'n'rave driving the Hard Working crowd demented for the second year running.

Headline act at Meeting House Square was Fight Like Apes. MayKay's stage manner alternates between sweet and sneer, they've monkey balls for being the biggest Irish band to make it without a guitar and really, really love their fans, with Tom generously handing his bass to the front-row man to finish the set... before Jamie Pockets went doolally with his mike stand! Tom snatched his instrument back in order to sling it ten feet across the air, whereupon MayKay proceeded to belt the crap out of her synth man and drummer Adrian kicked through his gear. But worry not, for their motto is famous: "Ape Shall Never Kill Ape".

Sunday's finale (themed Irish weather by the bucket) began with marvellous New Amusement and The Kinetiks, who swagger and strut more with each gig. In comparison, Angel Pier were so greatful to the crowd who braved the elements for their surprisingly perky renditions of chunky alternative. Thankfully Sweet Jane and Sons & Daughters were rescheduled indoors but gave it whacking welly!

Of all venues, Button Factory and ALT held most, but the real vibe was in Dorans. Dorans IS the Hard Working Class Hero of Irish music, faithful to our young bands and old hands and there was no better hall for the final show of the night, a surprise repeat of The Vinny Club's nostalgic 80s electronica, his tongue-in-cheek Bono costume smashing smiles across the faces of the bedraggled, happy bunch of patriots.

Hard Working Class Heroes 2008: makes you proud!

Check out the live galleries for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.