Ones To Watch 2014

There’s no pain quite like stumbling, depressed and penniless, into the dark, miserable abyss that is January. Still, at least the good folks at Whelan’s have been kind enough to host Ones To Watch: a showcase of the hottest young things on the Irish music scene, over four days, for just a fiver. Bargain!

Hot Press heads along on Friday, where Dubliners Punch Face Champions – one of the scene’s many instrumental prog-rock outfits – set the tone nicely. Lemon, a promising young four-piece, are up next, and once they get going, win the crowd over with their catchy alt. rock sound. Swimmers exude a confident air, with Niall Jackson (he of Bouts) proving a natural on frontman duties. If quirky indie-pop in the Pixies vein is your thang, check ‘em out.

It’s a more hushed affair with one of our festival highlights, Biggles Flys Again, Gandhis man Conor Deasy’s latest outfit. At times epic and lush, this multi-instrumentalist’s sound then moves into playful, jaunty territory – think Duke Special minus the dreads! Alt. rockers Tandem Felix, whom HP have had their eye on for a while now, impress with a typically intense, dreamy and atmospheric set. And suddenly, it’s 1986 again! Despite a touch of man flu, electro poppers Vann Music take to the stage for a theatrical and entertaining set which includes a fun rendition of Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’.

Saturday kicks off with Otherkin, a grungey group of gents, who’d give young Billie Joe Armstrong a run for his money. Next, it’s a veritable hoedown with Corner Boy, whose wild bluegrass/folk sound ensure this crowd’s toes stay a-tappin’. Next up another festival highlight, Amidships. Having already supported Villagers in Belfast and Derry late last year, it’s clear this four-piece – all sweeping melodies, delicate violin, and heartwrenching harmonies – have a bright future. Paddy Hanna of Grand Pocket Orchestra does his thing – jangly ‘60s surf pop – very well indeed, while a suited and booted Gangs add a bit of Weller-esque swagger to the night’s proceedings. Then to the masters of instrumental rock: Overhead, The Albatross. Like ASIWYFA, these guys are a notch above the rest – incredibly tight, and a joy to watch live. Finally, former Alphastates singer Cat Dowling showcases that marvellous, evocative, husky voice of hers, reminding a packed crowd why 2013’s solo debut The Believer went down such a storm.