The Trouble Pilgrims at The Stags Head - review

The snug surrounds of upper floor of The Stags Head seem an unlikely venue to find a capacity crowd rocking out on a Sunday afternoon but cut loose we did thanks to a delightfully raucous set from The Trouble Pilgrims. With Radiators Pete Holidai and Steve Rapid leading the charge the troupe blasted through a dazzling set culled primarily from classic albums TV Tube Heart and Ghosttown as well as later Pilgrims fodder and some sparkling outings from Pete's solo confection Devil's Guitar.

Set highlights included 'New Faces, Old Places' from covers collection Sound City Beat, a gloriously bombastic 'Television Screen', a doff of the cap to Ronnie Hawkins, 'Who Do You Love?' (growled expertly by Steve) and a poignant 'Under Cleary's Clock'.

Kudos to ace rhythm section Paddy Goodwin and drummer Johnny Bonnie and Holidai's guitar foil Tony St.Ledger and we must of course acknowledge Steve's masterful musicianship on the evening, ace guitarist Holidai dubbed him the 'Jimi Hendrix of the theremin'. Proceedings were brought to a fitting close with a sublime 'Sweet Jane'. Bravo sirs!

The Pilgrims return to the Stag's Head alongside The Ground Will Shake and DJ Karl Tsigdinos for a special charity show in aid of the Philippines disaster relief this Sunday at 4pm. Tickets are priced at €10.