Noise Nights 001 - Sell Everything, Dog Swim & Schtick
Credit: @nearthenoise
The Union Bar is one that always radiates a sense of business. With such a tight room, the buzz of a crowd can be felt the moment you walk in and this was one of those nights it could be felt. With a packed lineup including two acts that were completely new to me, I was as excited as the crowd seemed to be.
The Belfast-based band ‘Schtick’ was the first opening act, and one I had seen a lot from recently. The band have had a few gigs in the coming weeks, which kept me enlivened, as it's such a great opportunity to see and acknowledge their growth. The band was tighter than ever, a newfound growth evident. Their jazz-fusion sound is one that has always appealed to me and it seems they have really nailed that with their most recent set. The riffs between guitarists were clean and refined, and the double guitarist switch brings an interesting dynamic to each song, with each guitarist playing with different energies and vibes that really differentiate each song. The songs were intimate, while simultaneously having a flowing exuberance that kept the crowd engaged. Their continuous gigging has proved effective, as the crowd now recognise their lyrics, with the front row singing them back to the band. It’s always a really wholesome thing seeing a band start to be recognised and their song ‘Useless’ (which is soon to be released) is one that stands out in their set within a crowd. My personal favourite song from their set was 'Libertine', with a certain roughness to the melody and a massive instrumental ending which really showcases them as a band. I always enjoy their set and can't wait to see what they have coming next.
Credit: @nearthenoise
Next up was ‘Dogswim’, a Dublin-based band I had been eagerly longing to catch a set of. The band has a certain comfortability on stage that really builds a rapport within a crowd. Lead singer Freya bounces between jokes and deep delvings into the meanings of the song, which made me feel like I had watched them hundreds of times. It's a personal favourite dynamic of mine, being able to tell the band are not only buzzing with chemistry as bandmates but also as friends that enjoy playing as one. The beautiful melodic runs combined with the crunch of the bass tones and undefined tempo of their songs struck awe within the audience. There's a thundering drive to their instrumentals that makes the familiarity of the songs something intimate. The lyrics speak of ex-relationships and pain while being driven by the powerhouse vocals, crumbling in a way that is so endearing and beautiful. The band featured a session guitarist for this gig but didn't allow that to fault them at all. They were extremely tight and well rehearsed, even playing a completely new song that had never been performed live. Their personal favourite song they played was ‘Beautiful Fool’, a song I had become accustomed to from their socials. The certain rasp grappled the crowd, the energy piercing through the song's undertones of heartbreak. I'm really excited for this band and hope and long to see them again soon as one I think to keep an eye on.
Credit: @nearthenoise
The headliners ‘Sell Everything’ had accumulated a crowd evidently greatly familiar with the band. The audience gathered in front of the band like a gathering, a charged enthusiasm ready to be satiated. The band themselves have been making massive moves throughout the Dublin music scene, and I was excited myself to see what they had to offer. The band were focused, with a certain attentiveness to their music that allowed them to dance along and vibe with the crowd. They have a contemplativeness to the jazz aspects of their sound that moves sensationally with the rock feel of their live set. The sharpness of their lyricism, combined with their jazz-fused guitar riffs and inconsistent time signatures, allows them to span multiple genres, never really knowing fully the vibe but it being unmistakable as themselves. The crowd grooved with them, knowing near all the lyrics, proving their appeal and faithful fanbase as one that is far-reaching. There's an electronicness to their sound that has such an unusual but intoxicating pull to their songs, the lyrics speaking emotionally but covered up with a high-spirited joviality that creates such an interesting dynamic. My favourite song of theirs within their set was their newly released ‘Stargirl’. They performed a great set; the crowd summoned at their every word. I can't wait to see what they have coming up and I wish them luck at their festival-packed lineup for summer.