La Rocca impress at Manchester industryfest

Dublin band La Rocca are the subject of intense A&R interest this week after their well-received set at Manchester's In The City industryfest.

Having been picked out as a festival 'one to watch' by both Music Week and The Tip Sheet, their showcase was attended by over 20 record and publishing companies including Island/Def Jam, Sony, V2, Warners, BMG and Universal. Also on hand and asking for a CD afterwards was Seymour Stein, the legendary Sire man who signed Talking Heads and The Undertones.

Says an In The City regular: "Maybe it was the 'Thrills factor', but there was more interest in showcasing Irish acts this year than ever before."

While the advance hype meant that La Rocca got the biggest turn-out, there were also a fair smattering of A&R-types at the Leya and Life After Modeling gigs.

"We had a great time, both playing and hanging out wise," enthuses Leya bassist Gareth Hughes. "We played on the Sunday, which for some reason is regarded as the best night, and had Nathan Thompson from Parlophone and Island/Def Jam come to see us. If any band's given the chance to go over – especially as part of the official showcase – I'd grab it."

Echoing those sentiments, James from Life After Modeling says: "It was definitely worth doing. Our gig was switched at the last minute to The Dry Bar, but the venue was still 50 to 60% full with normal punters and industry people. There was some PR and managerial interest afterwards which we're now following up."