Celebrating Ireland’s thriving music scene

The Groove Tube with Jimi McDonnell – tribunegroove@live.ie

The annual Choice Music Prize, showcasing the best of Irish music from 2015, returned to Vicar Street last week.  Galway had a specific interest in this year’s awards, with Daithí up for Song of the Year for Mary Keane’s Introduction.

A native of Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, who is based in Galway city, Daithí was part of a packed bill at a show that was being broadcast on Today FM.

Host Paul McLoone was not long on stage when the fire alarm went off.   ‘Live radio, folks!’ he laughed before introducing the opening act All Tvvins, who were nominated for Song of the Year for Thank You. That tune opened the night and the band followed with the equally urgent Darkest Ocean.

Currently opening for Kodaline on their European arena tour, it’s not inconceivable that All Tvvins could fill those same rooms soon.

Daithí was tasked with following this brilliant performance, but there were no sign of nerves as he smiled over the opening bars of Mary Keane’s Introduction. The track, which features his 90-year-old grandmother, was greeted with claps and whoops by a packed Vicar St. Daithí was then joined by Sinéad White for Love’s On Top, which features on the just-released Tribes EP. A bona-fide tune!

Up next were the unique Fight Like Apes, nominated for their song Pretty Keen On Centrefolds. Lead-singer May Kay commanded the stage, throwing shapes and singing like it was her last gig.  In a post-performance interview with Bláthnaid Treacy, May Kay said that, although they loved touring, it was financially very tough for independent acts like Fight Like Apes to keep the show on the road. Such honesty is welcome, but Fight Like Apes’ absence from the live scene would not be.

Introduced by McLoone as a band who are “banging out the songs like billy-o”, Otherkin were nominated for Ay Ay.  Kitted out in leather jackets, the band bring The Vines to mind and have probably listened to a Nirvana album or two. Enthusiastic and tight, they’re the type of outfit that will encourage kids to pick up guitars – and make a racket! Happy days.

Hailing from Mullingar, The Academic were nominated for the undeniable, hook-laden gem that is Different. Looking like lads that might be asked for ID at the bar, they played like seasoned pros. This is four-piece guitar pop as it should be.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.