"The love we had before we went to England...we wanna bring that back here tonight Belfast, are you with us?"
As introductions go, this wasn't a bad one. Considering this was A Plastic Rose's biggest gig to date, a second coming of sorts, their dynamic frontman Gerry Norman knew they couldn't afford to put a foot wrong. Better still, a watertight bill of some of the nation’s best upcoming and established alt-rock acts marked this as a potential gig of the year - but could the bands deliver? In the confines of the gloriously spacious Mandela Hall, I couldn't wait to find out...
Taking to the stage first, the unparalleled baroque-punk of Robocobra Quartet. A project only now emerging from its infancy, those awaiting the orchestral-influenced four-piece were buzzing with excitement. Frontman Chris Ryan's shimmering charisma eased any potential nerves, firing in to a set of old and new. For those loyally following the band, Ryan's tales of 'Blue collared Bruce', Chet Akins and existential ponderings went down wonderfully. With a prose as intelligent as Ryan's, it's hard not to be reminded of American poets such as Gil Scott-Heron. The raw magnetism of their message so convincing, so impassioned, that even those failing to understand every line (myself included), are left believing it.
Coming on as part of a three piece band, (with no fixed bass player) is one thing. To do so wearing blindfolds, is quite another! Okay, so Michael Mormecha and his band weren't quite blindfolded the entire time; but it made for a compelling introduction. The Mojo Fury frontman was in fine voice throughout a set made of his latest solo album 'Low-Fi Life'. Songs like the Kurt Vile-esque 'Family' and 'Mixtapes' sounded at home on the large stage. Choosing to showcase his new songs from behind a drum kit was a brave move, but one that worked well. Though we'd have liked to have heard more from Fiona O'Kane (of Runaway GO fame), Michael Mormecha once again proved he is a musician of great versatility and talent.
Then came Hot Cops. The band of the moment, this is another young group improving at a rapid pace. With two highly regarded EP's already under their belts, this was a chance to validate the hype. No pressure then...
From the opening bars of 'Kenzie's Farmhouse' there was little doubt Hot Cops were made for such a stage. With such a wonderfully eclectic back catalogue from which to build their set, songs like the bass driven grooves of 'Fallout' go hand in hand with the truly climactic 'Decay'. Within minutes, the audience were compelled to the front of the stage, a first for the evening and unsurprising, given the form they're in. By the end of the set, the Mandela Hall was absorbed by Hot Cops; I suspect not for the last time. Even those unaware of them before found themselves screaming 'Oh baby, twenty feet tall' back at the band, the dark hook accompanying their closing number, yet to be released. This trio can go as far they want to. Superb.
By the time headliners A Plastic Rose took to the stage the venue was expectant. Less than a minute later, as they ripped into the exhilarating 'Move Islands', the place was in raptures. It was a joyous, uplifting start to a gig this band "have always dreamed of" and how they've earned it. With two albums down, and years of graft and unrivalled work ethic, A Plastic Rose remain the blue-print for any young bands hoping for success - and tonight they were on top form. The band's more hardcore fans, the 'APRmy', not once stopped singing throughout the gig. Much like football's dedicated away supporters, the chants of each of their names was relentless and they clearly appreciated it. Older gems like 'All You Know & Love Will Die' and 'Oceans' were sung back to the band with real verve, which must have been nostalgic for them - but first things first, they have an album to launch, and it was these new songs which really exploded here. 'Last Of All My Friends', 'Someone's Daughter' and 'Pumping Blood' had the venue rocking, whilst slower songs were also given space to breathe by the crowd, emotional roller-coaster 'Garavogue' in particular ("I feel like Ed Sheeran up here now" remarked Norman). Ending on the electrifying 'Sun's A Shadow', A Plastic Rose are not only back, but they're, to paraphrase, 'starting to feel like they can do anything, and it's a wonderful feeling to have'.
- Taylor Johnson
