Greenroom Live, Letterkenny.
Friday 18th July
Tonight, Letterkenny’s Greenroom Live is the venue for Bluestack Records presenting an evening of live performances from two of their artists, The Ambience Affair and SlowPlaceLikeHome. With Donal Dineen compering the evening and delivering a DJ set, the night ahead looks promising. The intimate, welcoming venue gives the feel that this is the place for music lovers to gather. In keeping with the venues chilled-out vibe, the start time is commanded by the crowd who trickle in later than the scheduled time. Donal Dineen plays some upbeat music to get us in the mood before introducing Dublin based The Ambience Affair to the eager audience.
The band’s first offering ‘Shards’ makes a strong impression launching the set with trance like tribal drum beats and strong clear vocals from lead singer Jamie Clarke, capturing the audience’s attention. Performing with newly joined lead guitarist Conor Deasy, Yvonne Ryan and Marc Gallagher the now 4-piece follow their strong opening with a set of new songs from their upcoming album, taking us on a lyrical and musical journey filled with layered looped guitars and beats. As they perform ‘A Clarity Appears’, it is clear the audience is connected with music, willingly absorbing the melodic rhythm and simple, yet potent lyrics. We are taken on a journey with ‘Tearing at The Seams’, the relaxing instrumentals breaking into a lyrical change of tempo which works perfectly performed, delivering angst-filled emotional lyrics.
Following their performance, Donal Dineen treats us to a DJ set of vinyl, keeping the mood high with Reggae, jazzy tropical sounds before introducing SlowPlaceLikeHome to the keen crowd.
Keith Mannion, aka SlowPlaceLikeHome, assisted with drums and Yvonne Ryan on bass instantly proves he is worth the wait as he charges the rooms energy with ‘Set Fire to the Stars’ delivering powerful electronic beats and teasing lyrics. The audience is immediately captivated, not only by the sounds, but the magnetic aura of this intriguing artist. As his set continues we are transported to a different place with his eclectic mixture of melodies and beats, hypnotised as he unashamedly bares his being to us. As you listen to the emotion being expressed, you feel the rest of the room fall away, that he is connecting with you and you alone, the music inspired to be created just for you. The psychedelic and haunting sounds of instrumental track ‘Selkie’ vibrate deeply within your body as you allow yourself to be immersed in the moment. After the high energy start of the set, flowing to passionate intensity he completes the musical arc, lifting the vibration with recent single ‘She comes in Colour Stereo’ from new album Romola. The entranced audience filling the floor to dance before requesting an encore which he obliges with ‘Perfumed By Lifes Imperfections’, leaving Donal Dineen to anchor us back to Earth with a packed set of dance.
Stacy Fitzpatrick
