Master & Dog, David C Clements - Love and Death, Belfast
David C Clements & Master and Dog
Love and Death inc.
Thursday 29th March 2012
Despite the Gifted relaunch taking place just up the road, this petit venue was near bursting at the seams in good time for our support, . Kicking off his acoustic-folk-pop set with an intense, 7 minute track 鈥淗urricane鈥 was a brave move, but tinges of Arcade Fire made for a perfect start. With the help of a full band, David鈥檚 material is sounding pretty huge these days, as his voice carries well over the crowd, many of whom clearly weren't here just for the headliners.
Similarly, sound big, filling every inch of the room. Showcasing a slightly tweaked line up, they open with 鈥淗eavyweight鈥, ironically the closing track on their album Dinosaur. Heavy drums and big bass almost drown out those vocals altogether, but it's an upbeat start none the less.
Despite the occasional dark moment, the guys have a somewhat laid back sound - no two songs sound the same. Even the kazoo makes an appearance, fitting as best as a kazoo can into 鈥淪unny Side Street". Everyone pitches in with vocals as those harmonies dance alongside a little mandolin. The inevitable highlight (it was on a tourist board ad after all) is " Long May You Reign鈥, a fine example of their poppy side.
All eyes were on the stage from start till finish, which speaks volumes. Between the on stage banter and jokes for the non-prudish, this band know how to hold a crowds attention, for sure.
Sara Larkham
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