The Year Of The Ram

Saturday night was spent happily at the Island Centre in Lisburn, where the annual Music Quest event took place. The prize was substantial and the four acts were all attractive in their own way. Nanook play earnest, strumming tunes in the tradition of college rock, but more recent experiments suggest a broader canvas. Silhouette were probably the boldest in terms of sound, with a cello, a double bass and a stand-up drummer. Some moments had the sweep and mystique of Kate Bush while others were moderne and cool. Seven Summits played it low key with modestly haunting songs and hints of Radiohead and Pink Floyd. It was close enough, but the winners were Ram's Pocket Radio, emotionally focussed, with Pete bashing out the sweet piano chords and the songs steering into some twisted destinations. They got the vote of the crowd and the judges. Keep this frequency clear.