Reviewed on Saturday February 7
Upstairs at The Gaelic Club, change is a’brewing.
First on the recently refurbished stage tonight was perennial favourite Direwolf. A barefoot, bearded troubadour, before he had even opened his mouth you were left impressed at the seemingly gravity-defying angle of his hat. The moment he did start to croon, however, the audience was transported. His evocative, searching lyrics hark back decades, and it is easy to imagine in another life he would have made an exceptional gospel musician, ruing the mortal trappings of the waning day. Before a captivated audience, back-to-back numbers ‘Come Hell Or High Water’ and ‘Roaring Winds’ were his set’s highlight.
This was my first introduction to Edema Ruh, and let me tell you, these guys are not your ordinary band. A six-piece gypsy swing act, peppered with buckshot, bravado and brass, their music is infectious and their stagecraft hilarious. It makes you want to dance silhouetted by a raging bonfire while garishly costumed strangers pass around flagons of indecipherable wine. The violinist and trumpeter were particularly animated, dancing like bewitched marionettes in a fairytale. Their lead singer is a curious cross between Mike Patton and Isaac Brock, with the songs themselves charting the perplexing waters between Gogol Bordello and The Decemberists. Highlights were ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Love Of The Misshapen’, and I can’t catch them again soon enough.
Having not witnessed Bears With Guns before I was keen to see if their live hype is justified, and man, these guys sure know how to get a room on its feet. Their sound is reminiscent of a more soulful, upbeat Boy & Bear, but having witnessed both bands live now I can happily assure that these guys win the gig game. It was impossible not to be smitten by their undeniable enthusiasm for performing (well, with the exception of the most dour ukulelist you’ll find this side of Appalachia). With ‘Winter Tree’ they hit their stride, moving effortlessly into highlight ‘Terms And Conditions’. Though their strongest songs are all uniquely so, certain numbers did tend to blur into one soundscape. Epic, yes, and you can sure as hell dance to it, but somewhat homogeneous. Still, I defy you to leave one of their gigs underwhelmed (the keyboardist even managed a bit of crowdsurfing – what more do you want?).
A memorable night’s music at an evening that, if the fates are kind, will continue to grow throughout the year.
