Sinister: Irish review

[timminsc]

 I am obviously bored but  yet I thought that if anyone was interested I
would send a review of the gigs I found in Dublin's event guide....

" It's been a while since I travelled further than a spin on the DART to
catch a band, but then again, it's been a while since I've heard a band
this damn good. Even grimey Manchester can't put a downer on the sort of
romance B&S ooze at every pore. And only B&S could come up with the idea of
playing three shows in two days inside the ornate splendour of the city'e
town hall. We're literally gobsmacked walking around this remarkable
building, windows embellished with intricately stained glass, archaic
stair-cases winding off in every direction, every door hiding  a mystery
and centuries of history. And inside one of the larger rooms seven or eight
musicians swop instruments spread out over two stages, one opposite the
other and a stacked PA in the middle.
 This is Belle and Sebastian's world for two days.
 The first show is tentative, impeded by the troublesome sound which is yet
to marry itself to the Town Hall's  vexatious acoustics. But once Stuart
Murdoch's fragile voice comes upon us, a hushed reverance inhabits the air
as brushed drums and deft traces of moog and hammond begin to fill the
room. B&S have over three albums worth of great songs so despite their
faltering poise it's still an enjoyable evening, and we're enchanted by the
unique surrounds. The following day's matinee performance is approaching
sublime. The band are hungover (keyboardist Chris hides a bucket beneath
his pile of instruments in case of emergencies) and play with particular
delicacy. Stuart performs a tender 'Fox In The Snow' on piano and we swoon
appropriately.
 The final show is aptly rousing . B&S have mastered the discortant echo of
the venue and every instrument (cello, ethnic percussion, drums, organs,
piano, trumpet, violin, guitars etc) now cruises in harmony. The audience
let loose a little too, and indulge in a spot of hootin' and hollerin'.
Tonight's set is for the most aprt a variation on the previous two. The
much favoured 'The State I Am In' is aired in its more languid 'Tigermilk'
arrangement, (trainspotter info) as opposed to the snappier 'Dog On
Wheels'version (alas,nothing from Dog On Wheels makes it this weekend -
next time please) but it satiates our need to hear one of the finest pop
songs released this year. Several more from 'Tigermilk' are played and some
new material due for release in the next five or six months. The quality
control leaves us dizzy and by the end of the night we've discarded all
those Nick Drake and Love comparisons and fallen well and truly in love
with our unlikely new pop saviours from Glasgow."
 Phew I don't thimk I've typed so much for ages. Good practice for all
those essays coming up.

  After all the criticisms I thought it would be nice to read a review from
someone not on the list..or is he???

 The fans are always the first to criticise. It's just like football.
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