Applause Music Reviews: Belfast and Northern Ireland

Kings and Castles: Interview ‘Slow’ isn’t a word regularly used in the lexicon of Kings and Castles. Since they formed in 2017, it has been a non-stop ride; from single releases to regular gigs and slots on the UK festival circuit to signing with Tonotopic Records. Their trajectory has steadily risen from day one, fitting given that their music is a brand of rigorous, upbeat indie rock that is equally at home on the radio or at Glasto. I caught up with Lead vocalist and guitarist Ross Antony to talk about their origins, their new single, and plans for the future. When did you guys meet? And how long was it before you came together as a band? We all met in mid-2017 which was for the purpose of making a band. We had all been in previous bands, but had all been out of action on the live scene for a while. We were all desperate to get back playing live and knew what kind of sound we were going for. We got together and it just worked right from the off. Where does your so...

Hello Casanova - Thinking Lately The pop-rock revival of Northern Ireland continues with the latest release from Armagh quartet Hello Casanova. Their latest single sees them sound tighter than ever, powered by a more experienced spirit (most notably in the vocal performance, which improves with each release), which has resulted in one of their best releases yet. One could certainly mistake the sunny, swinging opening riff and brash abandon of the percussion for a stylistically carefree number. However, a closer inspection from our intrepid reviewer reveals an underlying darkness. To hear this, one can listen no further than the chorus, which is themed by uncertainty. “I don’t know what I’ve been thinking lately” sings frontman Ethan Williamson, his stressed, fervent tone covering an added sense of seriousness. When combined with the brazen informality of the electric licks that frame each verse, TL takes on a whole new depth, one powered by an ambivalent anxiety that creates...

Don Maple - Magnets Canadian/Belfastian psychedelic sorcerer Don Maple returns with Magnets, the most recent in his growing repertoire of charming jams. Opening with an apache gunship inspired drum track, Maple is soon on more familiar ground with a lo-fi, indie acoustic riff. Maple’s aesthetic, a supple, spacey air rock, is a welcome and enjoyable addition to any playlist, a trend that is continued with Magnets. Distorted vocals give a distinct Gorillaz vibe while Magnets unforeseen chunky funk, mostly provided by infrequent drum tracks, adds a needed bite and variation that ensures an omnipresent freshness (especially when Maple unexpectedly starts spitting bars on the final stanza). Notably darker however than previous releases, Magnets loses any instances of irony or sarcasm, instead investing heavily on gallows humour and instances of nihilism. A stark progression that indicates a willingness to grow, the new direction taken is a welcome incorporation. With a...

Step. Music is getting louder.  Step. A bald head, glimmering in the moonlight, nods me in. Step. “What’s the name sorry?” Step. The decorations hang low as my freshly stamped hand pulls the doors to The Empire open. And so, it begins Christmas, it would seem, has arrived early this year. Sounds Of NI Radio has gathered some of the top bands in the city to play a group of punters into the Advent season. I arrive earlier than usual, one of the first there, and am greeted by local folk singer Joel Harkin. Tonight, however, Harkin is as much an observer as I am. He passes me a cold glass of honey coloured liquid as we discuss the ongoing ‘Fairytale Of New York’ controversy. We’re soon interrupted with a gentle “Hello there, we are Modern Rome.” I turn just in time to see the quartet begin their set. Notably festive, there's nary a head unadorned by a Santa hat onstage, the Belfast four-piece has established a solid reputation behind a unique sound and lively ...

The 1975 - The SSE Arena Belfast, 9th January “I just hope they play Lostmyhead” “Last time I saw them, they played The City and I actually near died”  “Here. If they don’t play Love It…” There are few acts that can whip up such audible hysteria on the journey to the venue, and yet as I watch a medley of fishnets, tight trousers, baggy sweatshirts and snapbacks ample past me, I find myself wondering exactly what the legacy of The 1975 is. It speaks to the depth of their literature that everyone from the fashionistas to the emo skaters has joined the entry line (the longest line I have ever begrudgingly joined might I add. It felt like I’d nearly walked home by the time I reached the back). And yet is that not what A Brief Inquiry… is all about? The Mancunian quartet’s latest album was critical of modern social divisions, so it’s only right that fans would come from every corner of society. And as we did stand together, braving the fierce Lagan gale, the extortionate d...

Belfast rocker trio  Alpha Twin  return with their second EP,  Cloud Mountain , an apt name given the colossal new heights aimed for on this three track release. Replacing their blistering pace with a toothsome groove and heavy funk, Cloud Mountain shows a conscious step towards advancing their sound while maintaining the atmospheric presence that has made them such a force locally. Furthermore, there is a noticeably lyrical improvement from their previous releases. Opener ‘The Stranger’ is a winner, with tight vocals ensuring a pleasing delivery – “It’s like an earthquake, in my chest, I digress, I don’t know, how much more more more I can take…” might be their most electric lyrical line yet just from an energy and syntactic standpoint. Accompanying this new sound and improvement is the same spidery, grimy, malevolent sound, but now with a spicy funk twist. The undisguised fury and relentless indulgence in heaviness remain, but the group have matured considerably ...

Belfest Christmas Special - December 19th 2018  Don Maple, Zool Hive, Sugar Wolf  The Speakeasy “It tastes different.” “What, what do you mean, how can it taste different?” “Literally just taste it, it’s different.” … “Lad it’s literally the same.” “You’re having a laugh like.” While the committee to my right debated how the new taps had affected the beer quality, I took the time to scan the crowd that had gathered in the upstairs room of The Speakeasy. A venue that's been put through its paces as of late, it now has its biggest test yet. The temporary home for the winter segment of local festival Belfest. A commotion begins at the front of the stage. As I make my way over, a familiar shaggy head of hair picks up his guitar on stage. Local favourite Don Maple, who is as popular as Tim Hortons as of late, continued his recent trend of impressive gigs, powered by a combination of sunny licks, soothing vocals and psychedelic keys. Maple spins gen...