The Answer at the Mandela Hall in 2012.
The Answer, Michael Mormecha
Limelight 2, Belfast
Friday 6th March, 2015
There’s a great energy as I arrive into the Limelight 2, Belfast for the opening night of The Answer’s tour in support of their latest album Raise A Little Hell. With support coming from Michael Mormecha who is showcasing his latest solo album, there is no doubt we are in for a night of impressive live music.
It’s a sound introduction by Michael Mormecha and his band - including Fiona O’Kane from Runaway[GO] - who are wearing blindfolds, an impressive and interesting move. The crowd starts to grow as the Mojo Fury frontman brings us new music from his latest solo album Low-Fi Life. The musical chemistry between Mormecha and his band is obvious. He delivers the songs from behind the drum kit and it works brilliantly. The performance of Family is simply breath-taking, with Mormecha in his prime, playing drums meticulously well, whilst vocalising perfect harmonies. Songs like Vicious Delicious and Revolution showcase the musician’s vocal talents, accompanied by beautiful harmonising from Fiona O’Kane to produce a superb sound. It’s hard to believe this is new material, as the songs fill the room and settle well with the crowd. It’s a splendid set by Mormecha and I think it would be fair to say that, like me, most people were left wanting to hear it all over again.
By this stage the Limelight is absolutely packed, with everyone eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Answer. With welcoming cheers from the crowd the four piece band, consisting of Cormac Neeson, Paul Mahon, Micky Waters and James Heatley, make a grand entrance, each of them coming on stage separately to applause. Frontman Neeson is in fine form and his enthusiasm and general excitement at being back performing in Belfast is obvious from their very first song Long Live the Renegades, taken from their 2015 album Raise A Little Hell. For it being the first night of their tour, the band’s performance is impressive. The interaction with the crowd is fantastic and the atmosphere electric. Much to the appreciation of the audience the band perform favourites like Spectacular from their 2013 album New Horizon and classics like Into the Gutter from their debut album. As usual, Paul Mahon does a superb job on lead guitar, reminding us just how good The Answer are live on stage. It’s a great performance by one of Northern Ireland’s finest rock bands, as they embark on a 20 date tour of their new album, which if anything like tonight’s performance is set to be Spectacular!
Bethan Leonard
