The North's Awake

Even though the temperatures are barely above zero, the roads have been cleared, mobile networks restored. One thing’s for sure. It’ll take more than a freak spring snow storm to stop this night from happening.

It’s a line-up worth braving the elements for. Four acts you could argue are making the best music in the North. All at Belfast’s Empire Music Hall.
First up, Soak. The Empire may be a one-time place of worship. Regulars will know it’s not somewhere you’re likely to find the earnest reverence of the Other Voices brigade. Bridie’s preternatural way with a melody has propelled her baby steps a great distance. Early tonight, peering out (perhaps for the first time) at faces not initially enamoured, her early onstage banter received with less than good cheer, she seems to falter.
However, it is occasions like this that test the mettle and when she introduces ‘Sea Creatures’, it’s with a hint of defiance. Sure enough, her best song cuts through the chatter. By the end of the set equilibrium has been re-established. Not a resounding victory, then, but Bridie scored a few important away goals here. Who knows how important they could turn out to be down the line?
There are those amongst us who Sea Pinks will have at ‘hello’. Without question here is a band that’s going to set many aflutter. This kind of stuff usually gets tagged as ‘West Coast’ rock. But anyone with a Teenage Fanclub or SFA record will know that people reliant on more powerful central heating systems also have a faculty for knocking out sun-blushed anthemia. Celts don’t surf. But, as Sea Pinks continue to prove, they do ‘Surf Pop’. Brilliant.
Documenta come on and, within 30 seconds, half the crowd is standing. And not as a preliminary to walking out. With guitarists stretched across the stage, like a dog-fighting relegation side ‘parking the bus’ in the penalty box, they clearly mean business. ‘Drone Pop’, if their archly titled new album is to believed, is their stock in trade. But 20 minutes in their company shows that to be a wholly inadequate description. Big, brooding and cacophonous on one hand; detailed, intimate and impossibly lovely on the other – they’re a revelation.
Last up, Girls Names. This lot have manoeuvred themselves into the role of boys (and girl) most likely to, with the release of second album The New Life. Following a brilliantly received stint at SXSW they bring a dark swagger to the evening.
So, four acts, four completely different cuts of jib. The snow hasn’t cleared yet, but something is budding.