When the middle aged taxi driver pulled up outside Crane Lane at just after 8pm he ruminated aloud; “It’s a lovely place, but there won’t be much happening there at this time.”
He was wrong, of course. The crowds had already begun to assemble in numbers for the first of the 2012 Jägermeister Freezer Sessions, with the buzz building steadily as the Jäger girls worked the room and the bands got into the zone backstage. 
First up were emerging Cork outfit Hush War Cry. The name might sound like a metal outfit, but their music is a far more subtle thing. With elements of shoegaze, and electronic music, their dreamy soundscapes provide a gentle introduction to proceedings. They use voices well, evocative falsetto counterpointing sweetly with main vocals that have an almost Morrissey-esque quality. An impressive introduction.
There are elements of shoegaze in Sweet Jane’s schtick too, with waves of guitar carrying the music forward. But they have a harder rock core. Chanelling the Velvet Underground, The Byrds and The Stone Roses, they mix melody and guitar attack with superb effect. Shimmying and playing the tambourine out front, lead singer Lydia Des Dolles has grown into the role, demonstrating on the night that she has the presence to become one of Ireland’s iconic front-women. But it is songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Danda Paxton who pulls the strings, masterminding the band’s big sound superbly. They go down a storm.
Where have Hal been these past few years? Their eponymous debut album was released in 2005 and they scored a number of top 30 hits, before they effectively disappeared from view. Well, they’re back with a second album The Time, The Hour finally in the shops. And tonight you could see immediately why they were so highly rated when they emerged first. Brilliant pop songs like ‘Be With You’ and ‘Close To Her’, with almost Queen-level arrangements (but no element of that outfit’s irritating showing-off) and featuring fine musicianship and heavenly harmony vocals from brothers Dave and Paul Allen – what more could you ask for? Cork responded with enthusiasm and energy and you got the distinct feeling – these guys could yet be huge. They certainly deserve to.
And, finally, to The Kanyu Tree. One of the hottest properties on the Irish scene at the moment, they are nonetheless utterly unassuming. They emerged onto the stage, went straight into their first number and immediately captivated the crowd with their blue-eyed soul. The interaction between the Cluskey brothers is intuitive: their harmonies are extraordinary and as the set progresses, the mood intensifies. With great pop songs like ‘Radio’, ‘Shelf Life’ and ‘Congratulations’ as calling cards, it can’t be long before the wider public tune in to Kanyu Tree’s greatness.
Certainly, tonight, Cork does, bringing the first Jägermeister Freezer Session of the season to a stirring conclusion...