Oh Yeah Contenders - Ulster Hall Group Space, Belfast
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Oh Yeah Contenders:
Silhouette, Katharine Philippa, Ryan Vail
Ulster Hall Group Space, Belfast听
Friday 25th May听2012
The crowd are promptly gathering in the intimate setting of the Group Space, within one of Belfast鈥檚 most prestigious venues. It has been a busy week for the Ulster Hall, what with the institution turning the grand old age of 150, and so the celebration continues with three of the finest, up and coming acts, to have emerged from the Northern Irish music scene this year.
First to take to the stage tonight is Derry electronica producer, and his musical companion Katie Cosgrove. They start into an instantly atmospheric set of synthetic beats and breathy vocals, twisting down the road of retro shoe-gaze meets ambient dance. There is a raw feel to this sample filled set and Katie鈥檚 complimenting vocals, which are slightly underutilised, make for further depth. Amongst compositions of his own tracks, from both 鈥楥olours鈥 and 鈥楾hese Words鈥 EPs, we are treated to a down beat rendition of Gorillaz 鈥楳eloncholy Hill鈥 which makes for a fresh take on the Electro-pop hit.
After receiving justifiably astounding feedback from earlier in the week, having taken part in the Great Northern Songbook event, takes a modest presence at the front of the room. As she starts into her set with 鈥楾hinking of You鈥, it becomes instantly apparent that this girl has a gift. Her vocals are both strong and soulful, wrapping around passionate lashings of keys flawlessly.
The room is mesmerised by the Portadown born singer and composer, her vocal range is spine tingling in itself, with the tender moments giving nods to a young (and female) Jeff Buckley. It is very easy to get lost in the sheer beauty of it. She gives us a glimpse of some of her more recent tracks, along with 鈥榃hiter than I鈥, which stands out with its electronic set up. Katherine Philippa certainly knows how to silence a room.
The next act up tonight have been making a name for themselves on a huge scale here in Northern Ireland, between extensive radio play, sound tracking ads and an Irish tour, there is just no stopping . They kick off the alternative-pop affair with as much enthusiasm and charisma as ever. It is a refreshing set up, with the electro-violin complimenting the keys to create catchy melodies,听while the double bass听joins with the听drums to make a solid foundation.
Shauna Tohill鈥檚 vocals are flawless as she belts out, what could easily be, hit after hit. Upbeat arrangements are dominant听for the most part, with the exception of 鈥楿nder my Skin鈥 which touches on a more sorrowful side to Silhouette, but it isn鈥檛 long before the crowd are urged to clap along to turn 鈥渢his sad song into a happy song鈥. Shauna hands over the keys to Eimhear Tohill, as she takes the mic and brings the set to a close with charisma and energy in equal measures. The last song of the night is 鈥楻unning Against the Wall鈥, their next single, set for release later next month.
Sara Larkham
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