Aether and Echo, Belfast
Friday, 30th May 2014
Alt Rockers Master and Dog took to the stage first tonight, showing support to fellow NI band R51 for their single launch. Warming up the crowd with ‘Heavyweight’, the vocals were barely audible but they mashed together with a great drum beat, plenty of cymbals and a good slashing of guitar.
‘Small Time’ is a slow starter and a big hitter, finishing with front man Walter De Goon welcoming the crowd and urging everyone to get the new R51 single. By ‘Devils Knows How’ the stage had come alive, the vocals clearer and maybe it was the glorious day of sunshine but there was a definite Irish beach holiday feel in the room.
They played the new release ‘Bad Moon’ from their latest EP and finished big with ‘Canada’, the great lyrics and catchy melody get the crowd swaying and nodding. Throughout the set Walter D’Goon, Phillip D’Alton and Gerard Gomely alternated instruments and vocals with confidence, proving that Master & Dog are a super group of accomplished musicians.
The merch table was scattered with tea lights and plastic daisies, the mic stand had a string of daisies attached and as a daisy dress and headband wearing female lead, Melyssa Shannon welcomed the crowd by saying “you are all beautiful people,” we knew we were in for a magical performance.
R51 opened with ‘Sonder Song’, a good choice which was well received by the audience; there was a lot of movement onstage and off, especially with guitarists Jonny and Aaron Black. Next up was ‘Rudi (=^ェ^=)’ which pulled the sound darker and deeper, with lead guitar skewing towards a heavier tone on the opening. Melyssa stood before us like a young Amy Lee, with strong clear vocals, full of emotion and grit.
‘Oh, Young Lovers’ started with a strong solo from Jonny grabbing the audiences’ attention. When the drums and vocals kicked the result was a perfect combination of their talents. Aaron Black played keyboard which was a little bit gothic with ended with an unexpected drum solo. Unfortunately the lighting let the side down as the stage’s bright strips of white LEDs pulled focus from the musicians.
A cover of Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds of Love’ came next and it suited the band perfectly. It is obvious this band really knows their strengths. Their sound is an eclectic mix of genres but somehow it works, and it sure works well. ‘BoxKite’ and ‘Slowhound’, use lots of synth, these songs are the epitome of how the band describes itself: ‘Big choruses and pretty verses’.
Finishing the set with ‘I Could Kill You Sometimes’ was a great choice, moving from heavy riffs into softer melodic tone, illustrated with projected artwork - still and moving images of the band, various pyramid iconography, stilt walkers, Pac-Man, and plenty of Christina Ricci.
The song ended with a chaotic clashing of instruments and a cool yet bizarre doll head synth moment that captured the audience and ended the show with a twist.
Overall it was a tight, confident set with well choreographed artwork.
Laura Heather Mac
