The Angel Pier

The Angel Pier

Whelan’s 07/08/09

Angela Macari O’Looney

In celebration of the release of their new limited edition 7” single Belong/Align the Seas, Darragh, Vinny, Luke and Mark hosted a really enjoyable gig, with special guests The Murder Clues to get the party started. I was really excited about seeing two of my favourite acts on the same night.

Three parts Irish to one part Canadian, The Angel Pier are a charming act that know how to totally enjoy performing and also have an ability to seduce the listener with soothing vocals and fluent guitar riffs aplenty.

Described by some as having ‘the sheer guts to make music that they genuinely want to’, this band have clocked up lots of exciting appearances since I last saw them at the beginning of ’09, including performing on The New Sounds Stage at Oxygen, appearing at Castlepalooza and Co-headlining a tour around Ireland with ‘The Kinetiks’.


The Murder Clues

Kicking off the night, this band that was formerly known as ‘Bravado’ unhesitatingly launched into their first number The Sound of Sirens which had a fast beat. Their second song Sticks and stones had noticeable harmony, fab bass and a catchy chorus. After this the place began to fill up and the lads seemed to get into their set and come alive.

I wondered would they only do new songs, but I was pleasantly surprised when they did Too tired to sleep which I love. Brian encouraged the audience to move closer to the stage. Revenge is not enough was next with sweet little riffs in it, a strut style beat and a delightful melody line.
Artificial Angels shows off Brian’s vocals and is probably one of my favourites from this band.

In Control
This is fairly new. Brian performs a lovely bit in falsetto here. Milky does a particularly special riff on lead, Corcy plays a snazzy solo on bass and the build up to the finish is dramatic.

Any other way
Bassy intro and a gorgeous riff take you into this fast moving, cheeky number. It has sarcastic lyrics. Bass in the middle is so delightful and then they go into this punk beat which is fun and makes you want to dance around.

The Murder Clues recently launched their new single Things that by myself I just can’t find. This was next with some unique chord combinations and a lead solo that’s short but extremely sweet. There’s an echo style chorus where Brian does a line and backing vocals repeat it.

Runnin’
The best bit about this is the beat and the riff intro. It’s choppy, with a chorus that is fun and it’s one of those songs you can never get enough of. Members of The Murder Clues are Brian /Vocals, Kev Guitar/ Vocals, Milky/Guitar, Gaz/ Drums and Corcy/ Bass.
They finished up with Manic. Influences include Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines and The Who. They are a band who seem to pop up a lot at gigs I go to and are always a pleasure to watch perform and a wonderful choice to get the party started for the main act.


The Angel Pier

The fab four took to the stage to shouts of approval from a now healthy sized audience, starting their set with You’re right. Vinny Redmond (Bass) harmonizes and trickling notes on lead guitar (Luke Pouch) create the perfect backdrop for Darragh’s powerful delivery of the first number.

Belong is on the new 7” E.P. and has a slow intro, picking up speed and becoming more dynamic. A rhythmic riff on guitar brings it to life, harmony filtering into the chorus. This is truly a feel good song.

Pray has some interesting chord combinations and a delectable chorus.

Align the Seas was introduced by Darragh as he mentioned that it was on the new E.P. Gorgeous guitar notes are strummed for the intro. Darragh’s use of falsetto in the chorus adds sweetness. The use of the higher octave against the background vocals which are sung in the lower octave is a very effective tool and also I noticed in the middle eight, a pullback of instruments which leaves just vocals with close harmony for a few bars and gradually each instrument returns, taking the whole piece to a big crescendo finish.

For no Man
Certain numbers in their repertoire such as this one would remind me a little of Coldplay. Darragh’s voice is light here and there’s an uplifting quality to the verse.
Although the melody is sweet, this song becomes more explosive as it develops. There’s a sliding note that’s sung in harmony just before the finish, which is gorgeous.

Make, Sacrifice and Bullet were also among the many wonderful songs that were performed at this gig. That special ‘Je ne sais quoi’ which The Angel Pier posess inspires a cheerful atmosphere and as the night went on they seemed to just get better and better.

I wondered would they perform my favourite number Sprites when they returned for a well deserved encore at the end of the gig. They must have heard me shout for it as they left the stage, because they did it. As I heard the first notes being plucked on guitar, I recognised it.
Darragh’s delivery of this song is flawless and like most of their songs, it builds up from a softer beginning, to a dynamic Anthem with bashing chords and an appealing melody.

We were treated to yet another number called Scribbles.
Darragh and the lads have a certain charm, which has already taken them to heady heights and gigs that many bands only get to dream about. I discovered them almost a year ago and have since become a fan. I hope to have lots of future opportunities to see them live, especially after this my second experience of them at Whelan’s.
Cheers to The Angel Pier and The Murder Clues for a magnificent evening.