Jape, Morning Claws
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Jape, Morning Claws
Auntie Annies, Belfast
Thurs 9th February
Outside Auntie Annie鈥檚 the rain鈥檚 hammering down, inside however, things are much more optimistic. With synths-a-plenty and a sense of quiet anticipation, the stage is set for local 5 piece Morning Claws to step up and give us their delicate blend of indie/electro goodness.
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They are one of the most hyped local out铿乼s at the minute, and rightfully so, with the set running like a well-oiled machine. This is their 铿乺st gig of 2012, but it doesn鈥檛 show, as they quickly slip into the zone, their previous gig experience under various guises shining throughout. 3 full-time synths could potentially be a disaster, but not for the Claws crew, who know that less is more. This subtle approach paired with perfect 3 part vocal harmonies throughout, helps Morning Claws succeed in sucking you into their musical universe. More and more people are creeping into the gig, and halfway through the set, we鈥檙e hooked.
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They take the opportunity to throw in a new number and also treat us to a few 鈥楯ape鈥 gags. 鈥淛ape Cod鈥, 鈥淒ate Jape鈥, 鈥淧lanet of the Japes鈥... you get the drift.
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The highlight is 鈥楽lack Magic鈥, a tune that builds for an age before it hits a monster, full-band chorus of 鈥淲E鈥橪L BE ALRIGHT鈥, leaving everyone in the room thinking the same thing.
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As soon as the supportband Moog and Korg synths being unplugged, Jape鈥檚 are being plugged in. Richie Egan and Co. take to the stage like men on a mission. Dressed in double denim (a look that receives a fair amount of gentle ribbing), Egan launches straight into 鈥極ne of Those Days鈥, a big hitter from their 2011 release Oceans Of Frequency.
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They take no prisoners and keep the whole set upbeat, playing even the more mellow numbers from the record with much more pace and intensity. If Auntie Annie was still alive she鈥檇 be up the stairs to see who鈥檚 making all the racket.
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Highlights include 鈥楾oo Many People鈥 and crowd favorite, 鈥楩loating鈥 which, as expected, goes down a treat. Egan comes up for air a few times, dishing out kudos to some local out铿乼s - Morning Claws, ASIYFA and Cashier No.9 to name a few. He seems to have a lot of love for Belfast, and can鈥檛 be thankful enough for the support.
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It鈥檚 a seriously tight and entertaining gig, and Egan鈥檚 energy is infectious, bouncing between the guitar and synth like a man possessed. His announcement that he鈥檚 moving to Sweden for good leaves a few hardcore Japettes stunned. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my last gig in Belfast as an Irishman鈥, he announces. As he leaves the stage to cheers and applause, it seems there鈥檚 every chance that this faithful crowd will follow him and establish their very own 鈥淧lanet of the Japes鈥.
Eamon Murray
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