Irish Unsigned / Whelans 07/08/09

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 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 Paluch) 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.