Jagermeister Freezer Sessions: Limerick Edition

With the Freezer Sessions now entering the final stretch of its current tour of the country, it was time for a welcome stop in The Treaty County after the nearby session in Cork Thursday evening. In a night packed to the gills with musical talent and a Dolan's venue packed to the rafters with music lovers, local Munster acts vied for position alongside welcome blow-ins from Sligo, Kilkenny and Dublin.

The main event was a full set from well-established and feverishly-received Corkonian band Fred, but before all that up-and-comers Animal Beats were on hand to kick things off. A local group and most definitely the 'ones to watch' tonight, Animal Beats are all high-energy and crowd-pleasing tunes which align crunching rock (that's not afraid to take sonic chances) with the enchantingly light and pretty vocals of Johnny McDonnell. They leave the crowd swooning, and likely some of the other acts feeling rather old - you won't find a more fresh-faced four-piece either side of the Shannon.

It is time, then, for the Dublin contingent. El Hombre Jokes take to the stage riffs in tow, immediately launching into the heavy blues thud of 'Suicide Bomber' before unleashing the likes of the reggae-tinged 'Love Street' and two-tone 'Wake Up' in a short set that never lets up.

Until, of course, Túcan are ready to play. The Sligo instrumentalists bring a big crowd of admirers with them, and, after going without for their Sligo session, a bass guitar that fills out the sound. Once more, a creative reimagining of The Prodigy's 'No Good' goes down a treat. Donal Gunne, Pearse Feeney and co will play a Christmas show with The Brass & Strings Ensemble in Shenanigan's of Sligo on December 28.

Now a "collective entity" led by Jeremy Hickey, Kilkenny's always innnovative and intriguing Rarely Seen Above Ground were up next and despite some inital sound problems, they quickly found their feet, bringing an accomplished set to a close with new, exhilirating epic 'This Winding Sheet'. Aside from the songs, Hickey's gas canister-as percussion party trick went down particularly well with those assembled. You wouldn't get that from Phil Collins. Rarely Seen Above Ground play Whelan's, Dublin, on Thursday December 15.

And so to the headliners, with a last hurrah from Cork-based art pop act Fred. After a decade building up a fanatic following, Fred would appear to be riding high, and the massive crowd gathered are more than happy to tag along. Their set is a nice blend of old favourites and songs from their new album Leaving My Empire, which has seen them ascend to a new level of brilliance. Those present at Dolan's would certainly seem to agree, particularly one excited girl who clambers up on stage to sing, stage dives, and later returns only to be dragged off. After that, an encore wraps up proceedings with a joyous version of 'Running' and the date with Limerick is done.

Following last night's Waterford stop (with a full report on its way), that leaves just one final Jägermeister Freezer Sessions this year - on Wednesday December 14, Le Galaxie, The Riptide Movement, Spies and The Hot Sprockets will all play Crawdaddy, Dublin. See you there.