Pocket Billiards

supporting The Specials and Hanni El-Khatib

Sunday 27th of August 2011



Describe in a tweet: Belfast ska-punk legends get final night of Belsonic 2011 off to a blinder.

What happened: The bill they were pretty much born to play, Belfast ska-punk nonet (ahem, nine-piece) Pocket Billiards launch the ninth and final night of Belsonic 2011 in typically riotous fashion. Starting as they well and truly mean to go on, opener 'Drunken Waster' automatically induces a large section of tonight's still-assembling crowd to carefree gyrating and toothy chants of "gonna get drunk! gonna get drunk!" whilst a grizzly new song and the deliriously anthemic 'Dirty Money' only serve to confirm a tingly, thoroughly contagious sense of occasion.



With their horn-led, good-time overtures to proper living, Pocket Billiards are on top form throughout - the sound is first-rate, every last member of the band pour their heart and soul into the performance and - a real testament to their playing venues across the country for many years - the adoring reception they receive before, during and after each song indicates serious respect. Another new song eye-winkingly alludes to a refrain from 'Ghost Town', whilst 'Tetrasaurus Rex' and closer 'Belfast Town', prompt massive cheers from the band's Belfast faithful, standing as highlights in a mostly-jaunty, occasionally-heavy, totally-convincing set.



Enjoy Yourself: An arse-shakingly, finger-waggingly, trilby-tippingly terrific start to the final night of Belsonic 2011.



You're Wondering Now: Practically nothing goes against the band. Sure, it threatened a downpour for a while but let's just leave that end of it to Zeus, shall we?

Rating: 8/10