The Goo 1
Reviews Rachael Lavelle & The Crash Ensemble NCH
(Musictown) Rachael Lavelle’s performance with Crash Ensemble at Musictown was transformative. I left the show quite different than the way I entered. I thought about things differently. Saw things differently. I didn’t listen to music on the journey home. Just looked out the window and smiled. From the introduction of ‘Travel Size’ (played on wine glasses!) through the enthralling chorus of ‘Big Dreams’, the skewed avant pop of ‘Perpetual Party’, not a moment passed where I was not utterly stupefied with the majesty being woven on the stage. Every second seamed through with wild and vibrant colours, these fresh arrangements from Crash’s Barry O’ Halpin [also of Alarmist] complemented and elevated already exceptional material. Ryan Hargadons saxophone and synthesizer backed by an avant-garde orchestra is something I recommend everybody see, at least once. Lavelle’s voice is concretely spectacular, and the real jubilation emanating from the stage was utterly infectious. Word on the street is that there may be a live video or concert recording of this truly exceptional evening as a part of Foggy Notions’ Musictown, and if that is the case, it should be a priority that you experience it. I count myself lucky to have been there. It was a pretty damn good weekend. AOC RACHAEL LAVELLE & THE CRASH ENSEMBLE @ NCH (MUSICTOWN) Elaine Howley & The Crash Ensemble NCH (Musictown) Of the many delights on offer as part of Musictown, I immediately zeroed in on the collaboration of Elaine Howley & Crash Ensemble. Not least because they were to be hosted in The Studio, a beautifully sounding, 100 seated room. A laser accurate start time and strict door policy meant I had to listen to the opener ‘Wings On The Wind’ through a heavy door but the brief pause thereafter allowed me to ninja into my seat for the first two treatments of Elaine’s magnificent 2022 album The Distance Between Heart and Mouth. ‘Silent Talk’ particularly benefited from the extra layers of strings the Crash Ensemble were supplying. In the relative darkness, a beferned Elaine Howley (with magnificent sun hat) blended into the beferned surroundings, for they appeared to have engulfed a good portion of the stage. New track ‘Revolve’ with its patient xylophone and jazz infused saxophone was extraordinary. Another new one ‘Midsummer Pop’ lightly danced in front of our eyes before building to a powerful crescendo. ‘See Saw Seen’ was stretched and had a more Asian tinge to its analogue beats. ‘To the Test’ shone as ever but this time helped along by deliciously tickled piano. Elaine’s haunting voice on her penultimate track the 2023 single ‘Live As I Saw It’ was a triumph but she modestly took a lesser role in the final, more cinematic ‘Hold Me in a New Way’. The trio of Elaine, Crash Ensemble and venue produced a delicious alchemy. DC Dream Boy (w/guests For Nina and Eppie) Workmans Cellar Dream Boy were back with their first headliner in Dublin since the bands last release in April and they played a bumper set of new and old, all adorned with their signature wailing, shoegaze guitars and delicate to overwhelming song structures. The energy was palpable with the effects of their new single ‘Take Whatever’ being felt in full force. The band exudes a sense of complete immersion on stage while Allie’s vocals are growing in raw, emotional impact. It felt like she had escaped the room and was performing completely for herself and it served the show beautifully. The entire show was “of a feeling” and augurs brilliantly for their next steps. Eppie provided an electric start to the night with their precision musicianship pairing a vast array of eclectic influences and styles impressively. Their lively set energised the room and set the tone for the evening. For Nina claimed to “have a knack for wasting time” in their most recent release ‘Rolling Punches’ but their performance challenged that completely. Their raunchy guitar tones paired with ethereal vocals marks them out as an act to take note of. JN .. RAUNCHY GUITAR TONES PAIRED WITH ETHEREAL VOCALS .. PAGE 18