Live At The Sugar Club, Dublin

Stunning is only the start of it. To come back from a showcase having seen one great new band is an achievement. To see three is staggering. From the off it seemed destined to be a special night.

The Blizzards kicked off proceedings. Hailing from Mullingar, they arrive drenched in ska, punk, emo, new wave and hard rock. They also carry with them a reputation. Tongues waggle throughout the set. Cock an ear and you’ll hear people mention that Kevin Shields is interested in producing them. Murmurs of Oasis manager Marcus Russell’s interest also float about. Listen closer and you’ll hear just why such names associate themselves with the Westmeath five-piece. There simply isn’t a more exciting band in this country right now. Not only does their hybrid of influences create something genuinely fresh, but their knack for writing songs seeped in classic pop means that gems like ‘First Girl To Leave Town’, ‘War Of Words’ and ‘The Carney Code’ imbed themselves in your head. Live, there’s a punch and an edge about them that is utterly devastating, devilishly addictive and simply inspiring. Talent like this is to be cherished. We don’t get it too often.

Director have a hard act to follow. The challenge is shirked off admirably. Having recently signed to Atlantic Records, their star is very much in the ascendant. Frontman Michael Moloney oozes charisma with a vocal that is pinned somewhere between Erland Øye and Brian Moloko. It travels over Eoin Aherne’s post punk guitar riffs, which come laced with shades of Franz Ferdinand, early U2 and The Futureheads. Fantastic stuff.

While they, like The Blizzards, excel, The Marshal Stars are tragically troubled by sound problems. Their talent nonetheless shines through. ‘Tough As Old Boots’ and ‘For You’ are prime examples of their brand of speed rock honed with irrepressible melodies.

A powerhouse of a trio, it’s no wonder they’ve inked a significant deal with Vertigo. The first of a multi album deal will be a record to look forward to. On a day without technical glitches it is they who might have stolen the plaudits. Tonight though, it is The Blizzards who have the biggest smile. If the country continues producing bands of this calibre, we’ll all be smiling too.