Aiden, Kill Hannah, Brigade, Serpico

The Academy, Dublin

Style rather than substance was the order of the night with three of the four of this evening’s acts demonstrating more fashion consciousness than Kate Moss.

Opening this mini-fest was Serpico, a young and, truth be told, somewhat amateurish act from Edinburgh. Kerrang! may heap praise upon them, but watching the five-piece prance about the stage to poppy rock riffs it seems clear they offered considerably more bark than bite.

Brigade are a strange choice of act considering the emo tendencies of the other bands on tonight’s bill. Regardless the rock outfit are undeniably impressive in full flight. Restrained front man Will Simpson belts out the hits with an intent poise that only underlines their quiet determination to succeed.

Kill Hannah front man Mat Devine leaps around like an over caffeinated bunny as the Seattle pop band get right down to it. However, threats of going ‘ape shit’ are never quite delivered upon and the band rarely exceeds a frantic leap around the stage.

Minus the makeup but retaining the attitude and side fringes, Aiden stepped on stage and broke into a fervent set compiling hits from their latest release and some old favourites.
Lead singer Wil Francis commands the audience’s respect and attention from the word go, delivering audacious rants that you can’t help suspecting were more rehearsed than spur of the moment. Still the young fans lapped up every second. P.J. Murray

Issue #51 - I Told You This Would Be A Good Issue

Featuring Biffy Clyro, Of Montreal, Duke Special, Frightened Rabbit, Cold War Kids, Jay Reatard, Pat Mills, and more.