Shearwater

Speakeasy, Belfast

Shearwater make their way to the stage of the Speakeasy through a criminally sparse crowd, seemingly undeterred by the smallness of the audience. I wouldn’t want to be the first to tell them that the band that they are still intrinsically linked with, Okkervil River, played to a packed Empire not so long ago, but reflecting on that, I don’t think they’d care. A side project is exactly that, a forum for experimentation and room to manoeuvre, and god bless those who sail in her.

Shearwater are a band that demand your attention, Jonathan Meiburg standing tall and stock-straight behind the microphone, dapper in waistcoat and slacks, leading the group through a diverse repertoire of songs. ‘I Was a Cloud’ does exactly what it says on the tin, transporting a weary soul to a land of inner calm. ‘Seventy-Four, Seventy-Five’ kicks off with a merciless keyboard pounding and then seamlessly merges with its gorgeous trumpet accompaniment. ‘Century Eyes’ is Shearwater’s CBGBs moment; it kicks, it punches and it could even have triggered a bit of crowd surfing if that had been in any way possible.

It would be a shame if Shearwater didn’t return to Belfast, as many who were here tonight were obviously long-time fans, and they have undoubtedly gained a few new converts as well. Jeremy Shields

Issue #52 - Very Bro-some

Featuring Panama Kings, ASIWYFA, an investigation into DIY touring, details of what over 25 of the finest NI bands are up to in 2009 and much more.