Delorentros at the Academy

Delorentos

Joe Echo and Planet Parade

The Academy

26/03/10

Angela Macari O’Looney

A couple of years ago I reviewed Delorentos album In Love with Detail for the choice music awards. Back then, they totally won me over with their vibrant songs and intoxicating ‘Joie de Vivre’.

Like every Delorentos enthusiast, I was awe-struck on hearing the announcement of their break-up. However, they remained a firm favourite in my collection. Like most creative geniuses the lads reconciled their differences and returned to the music scene, bigger and better than before!

Thus I stood elated in the Academy, along with many like minded folk. It was some sight looking down from the balcony at the throng below. A huge sense of expectation and a cheerful buzz surrounded me at this long awaited Dublin gig!

This superb Indie/ Alternative band’s name goes before them among true Indie/rock music lovers in Ireland. Since their reconciliation, it seems their career is going like an unstoppable roller coaster. They are diversifying, with the forthcoming release of You can make sound, which will be their debut U.K. album.
This is preceded by the release of S.E.C.R.E.T., their new single. Hailing from Portrane in North Dublin, the lads were school friends and despite a disparity in musical tastes and the usual ‘band’ related hiccups, they have a dynamic sound and an ability to write distinctive melodies and feel good lyrics.

Joe Echo

Taking to the stage for the first set, was singer-song writer Joe Echo (Ciaran Gribbin) from Castledawson. This guy has a really entertaining style and was previously a member of Leya, who played support to acts such as Snow Patrol, Interpol and Franz Ferdinand. Joe Echo himself played support to well known Irish band The Script during their Irish tour. He is admired widely for his amazing vocal prowess and song writing ability and helped co-write Madonna’s recent Grammy nominated single Celebration and actually performed on some tracks of Snow Patrol’s album Eyes Open.

With just one other guitarist alongside him( his brother), this young man performed a few samples of his exciting repertoire. Using inventive programming, he had a big sound. With a guitar intro, a very effective baseline and a lively beat, Joe began with The Heart that knows desire.
A memorable chorus and the sweet riff from the intro with its seductive bending notes are the key features in this number. Joe’s vocals have a distinctiveness that would set him apart from anyone I can think of. A touch of Chris Martin (Coldplay), combined with Keane’s front man Tom Chaplin, he has some range!
Interacting well with the growing crowd, Joe went on to perform Where we wanna be; A rhythmic intro and a delectable chorus make this a memorable song, plus vocal percussion. A catchy lead riff also draws my attention here and I really admire the sense of originality about his music, which is experimental electro/acoustic at its finest.

Slow and soulful was the third song; What if. Wonderful chord combos throughout made this yet another lovely choice of song.

Tillys Cowboy - He sings the melodic ‘to loo’ chorus of this number and effortlessly glides up to falsetto notes. It’s an adorable reflection about good old days, innocence and happier times. Imaginative lyrics make you smell food aromas, hear cheerful chatter, laugh about when people had ‘a tin bath on a concrete floor’. Ciaran alias Joe, a fountain of sentimental and musical wonder, draws the listener into his stories.

With a warm up act as good as this, I knew I was in for an unforgettable evening. Joe finished with Sold out Hallelujah a memorable piece with a catchy riff throughout. Unique and extremely enjoyable, he definitely got my juices flowing.

Planet Parade

This three piece Alt/ Ambient outfit hail from Kildare and have recently released their debut E.P. Ghosts to People. Members are Michael Hopkins, Andrew Lloyd and Ronan Kilduff.

They performed Money on a bet, Let go, Cut the Cord, Play fair, Instrumental, You got me, Zulu Sound and Electrical.

Electrical had a reggae beat, top standard guitar breaks and vocals were crisp. They have a sound that is sharp and melodic, with wonderful harmonies and backing vocals throughout.

Cut the Cord has a choppy chorus, excellent lead vocals and guitars too. Fast and lively, it involves powerful chord combinations throughout.

I also enjoyed Play Fair, with a trickling intro, becoming choppy. It has a catchy refrain, lovely chorus and a punchy baseline features. Harmony is special in this one.
The Instrumental they do involves virtuoso style guitar, pulsating rhythm, blasts of complex chords and discords and is an interesting breakaway from your regular three minute song. Loved this!

Their music has a ‘Stingesque’ quality to it, combined with newer influences. With a choppy tempo, it was just the job to keep the interest of the audience.

Their set was upbeat, very entertaining and I liked how despite the fact that they are a trio, they could create such a big sound, oozing energy and charm. I’ll be watching out for them and hope to see them headlining soon.


Delorentos

The moment had arrived!
A thumping beat and powerful guitars heralded the intro to Hallucinations, strobe lighting lending to the scene. Ross, Ro, Kier and Niall let rip for this explosive song, with the throbbing crowd showing their appreciation. What an entrance. Adrenaline-pumping stuff!

The familiar intro to Basis of Everything delighted me. One of my favourite numbers from their first album, it is the very essence of Delorentos music. This number is fast, with a plucky guitar intro and excellent harmony. The melody line is magical and the catchy riff which continues throughout gets me every time. I thought it was lovely when everyone sang the middle eight with Ro, where the song slows down a little. It’s one of these songs that you can’t resist singing along to. Guitars are mind blowing, as is every moment of this piece!

Continuing with Do You Realise, there seemed to be an energy flowing from the band to the audience. Choppy, with perfect riffs and hooks, this number is a love song with a gorgeous chorus, which was sung by every soul in the place along with the lads. Vocals are shared by Ro and Kier, with Niall doing harmony. A short lead break takes you into the final chorus of this totally brilliant song.

Say you’ll never love her is an anthemic style love song. Lead vocals are particularly powerful and in the chorus harmony is beautiful. Guitars here are excellent, played in sync and reflect the lyrics which are melancholic and deep.

Back to a thumping beat, dramatic stop start bits and yet another totally addictive melody line, Leave it on was next. So much goes on in this song, but a lovely lead guitar riff in the chorus is for me one of the nicest parts. This song is a million times more vibrant and exhilarating when performed live and was a highlight of the gig for me.

Things just seemed to get better and better as this set went on with Body Cold. There was a good mix of both new and old songs, all received with enthusiasm from the crowd.

I noticed that Kier sings the lead vocals in some numbers and Ro in others. This adds contrast to their songs. Say it now, Leave me alone, Sanctuary were other songs from the new album. Harmonies were spine tingling and guitar riffs memorable in each.

Waiting which oozes vitality and has amazing guitar throughout was among other favourites of mine. They left no stone unturned, performing a non-stop list of numbers, among them Until next time, The Rules, Eustace Street. One that I always know from it’s soulful, slow intro Any other Way was included in their encore.

A beautiful song Eyes Open stood out from the rest as it’s slow and romantic. People sang along with it and trickling lead guitar behind Ro’s passionate vocals had the audience in the palm of his hands. It was one of those special moments where time seems to stand still!

It was beginning to look like the lads would never get home, as they got shouts for more. But they went all out and did the new single S.E.C.R.E.T.S. and Stop, yet another fast moving song from their debut album.

What an experience!
It seems this lovable group of friends, who have a Pied Piper proportioned following have NRG that simply knows no bounds. Taking splashes of their original music and adding a twist of newer electronic power, they have managed to maintain that Delorentos charm without losing anything. I felt that they gave everything to their fans at this gig and my only concern would be that they squeezed every drop out of their resources, to popping point!
I truly wish them luck with their new endeavours and salute them, Joe Echo and Planet Parade for a heady, worthwhile show.