Since the launch of Communion as a record label and it expanded its range of club nights into new locations, there are certain names I’ve been hearing lots about but not properly paying attention to. The first Communion club night in Belfast last week positively proved that I should have been paying much more attention…
Arriving just after Pete Roe finished his set (Pete unfortunately clashed with Peggy Sue over in another Open House Festival venue), I was treated to a tantalising thirty minute set from Marcus Foster. Combining the soulful elegance of alt stars past – the immediate parallel that comes to mind is Jeff Buckley – Marcus’s sultry rock-and-roll vocals are paired with wonderful guitar licks and foot-tapping beats. He’s lyrically astute and genuinely talented, and the only issue with his energetic thirty minute set is that it wasn’t longer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFf4Dk3Hi_w
Next up were the amazing Matthew And The Atlas, who are a collective of profoundly brilliant musicians creating unique and absorbing folk sounds. The music is reminiscent of Mumford & Sons, but different enough that Matthew and co have a well-deserved place as support to the foursome alongside Johnny Flynn on next month’s UK tour. Pretty acoustic guitars are complimented by gorgeous boy-girl vocals (the kind that would easily put Slow Club to shame) and well-placed claps throughout. Standout track ‘Within The Rose’ off of the band’s Communion-released EP was a fantastically emotional performance; if you weren’t already in love with Matthew and friends, you will be after seeing them in action with this tune.
Headliners The Lowly Knights – the only Belfast locals performing on this sold out night – instantly pumped an excited energy into the room as they came on stage. The talented six-piece did themselves and Communion proud with a delectable, ramshackle performance of their waltzy folk rock numbers. I swear that no eyes left the stage from beginning to end while Lowly Knights were playing, and most of the room were dancing from the first tune onwards. Real local stars in their native Northern Ireland, here is a band the rest of the world desperately need to see; I’m looking forward to the day they branch out from Belfast and over the water for a full UK tour. I think it’d be a real treat.
Launching Communion Belfast during Open House Festival always guaranteed it was going to be successful, but the well-constructed lineup for this night combined with the raw energy of each and every artist made it something really special. Hats off to the Communion Belfast crew; The Blue Walrus will be back for more next time we’re in Belfast.