Towering Performances at Tower Records – Alan Finn talks about a promotional gig at Tower Records, 3 great new Irish acts
It’s an unusual thing being invited to record store to review a gig, maybe I’m old fashioned but when I was invited to see Conor Hamilton’s set in Tower Records on Dawson Street wasn’t entirely sure if I received the message right. I arrived quite early and was somewhat surprised that the new Tower Records’ premises has a nice cafe upstairs. Naturally, we professional journalists need our tea so I nipped up for a cuppa as the weather was very cold and windy. It was a welcome relief from the miserable wet Thursday evening. The cafe is quite funky with 60’s vintage tables and chairs, and it’s decorated with pictures of iconic giants from rock’s past. It also had somewhat of “Friends” vibe as there were two large sofas and chairs for those who wish to snuggle up. You can buy soup, apple tarts, breakfasts etc all at a modest price, not a bad way to start my day.
The gig was great with three band line up. Conor sang 7 songs set including “Famous Personality”, “Lately”, “Overkill”; “You Got It In You”, all songs taken off Conor’s EP “Give It a Go”, which Tower Records are now selling. He finished his set with that seminal Thin Lizzy classic, “Dancing in the Moonlight”. Despite suffering from a nasty cold he still went up on stage and gave it his all, as a regular to his gigs I know his vocals are just getting better each time.. Conor Hamilton will be doing support to Damien Dempsey at concerts in April of this year. We will keep you up to date with the gigs.
A Parisian/Dublin hybrid known as “The New Transmission” next took to the stage as part of a promotion for their recently released album “Out Of The Blue”. I understand that not all the members could play as quite simply the stage wasn’t big enough. None the less those that did made their presence known. The girl that sang with them had an ethereal voice, which alone, prompted me to buy their album, and the members kindly signed it for me. At present I am listening to it, and I will let you know in time what I think of it. If you would like to see them live for yourselves they’re playing Friday 16th January at 8pm at The Grand Social, 35 lower Liffey Street, tickets go on sale on tickets.ie at €10.00.
The final act was a group from Dublin/Cork called “The Stoles”, who were also launching a single called “Man in the Cave”. This four piece were just totally brilliant. Again like “The New Transmission”, there wasn’t enough room for the drummer to play, but hey they did a great job anyway! So impressed was I, that I also bought myself a copy of their single (this reviewing is an expensive business!). If you would like to catch these guys live they will play at the Twisted Pepper, on Saturday 17th January at 8.30pm, you can pay at the door only €3.00 in well worth it. The Stoles are very good live, and we at the Fountain, your favourite online newswire will be doing a review and interview with both of the above acts in the very near future.
