The Dudley Corporation, Panda Kopanda

The Bunker, Belfast

Panda Kopanda are one of Belfast’s most underrated bands, making ace jangly, indie-pop that would sit well alongside Death Cab For Cutie’s back catalogue, with some quieter bits reminiscent of Grandaddy and more rockin’ angular moments which could pierce the mainstream the way Bloc Party. Although maybe drop the ‘Walk On By’ cover, eh? This is The Dudley Corporation’s first gig in over a year and at first, it shows – the drums sort of fall apart during song one, and this is promptly followed by guitar difficulties and some improvised riff-singing in the second. But it picks up tremendously from there on in, and with each song, the Dudleys’ confidence grows and grows – with songs like ‘What A Human Does’ and ‘New Song For You’ in the set-list, it’s hard to be anything but impressed, both with the songwriting and the passion on display. They play indie-rock but with an edge and the songs, particularly live, take on a life of their own; the guitars are heavier and at times it’s almost like Iron Maiden playing Postal Service covers – epic anthems, proper rock guitar solos and walls of noise but all with a controlled indie aesthetic – and it’s this ability, really just to ‘rock out’, that differentiates them from the rest of the indie elite. Great stuff.

Words_Michael Wilson

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.