Remember the Alamo Ritz? Oh, I think some of us will. This was the cinema in Austin where Good Vibrations had its US premiere. Outside, a big queue of industry people signaled the interest. And while we don't want to denigrate an entire sector, some of these guys had the demeanour and the stature of Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons. A lot of hours spent on velveteen seats. Plenty of knowledge and opinion. I feared for a film that is so Belfast, that isn鈥檛 afraid of our humour and our vernacular.
Film Ticket
But blimey, they loved it. Cheering on Richard Dormer in his role as Terri Hooley, folk hero, blarney merchant and record store defender. Laughing at those acute lines in the script. Giving John Peel some spontaneous applause. They understood the essence of 鈥楥ops鈥� by Rudi. They were tickled by the drunken Terri, dismissing The Outcasts. And when the delayed intro to 鈥楾eenage Kicks鈥� finally blasted out, the house was in raptures. If there was any doubt, let it be appreciated: this is a universal story that mainlines the sentiments of every music fan.
There was a scene in the foyer of 主播大秀 London when Hooley meets a kindly news reporter. He explains to the receptionist that Good Vibrations is a great shop and that he bought a 13th Floor Elevators record there. No big deal, you might think, but that's a legendary psychedelic act from Austin, Texas and so the audience hollered even more. How remarkable. I鈥檓 sitting next to Tim Wheeler from Ash and he鈥檚 also getting it for the first time, also in love.
Tim Wheeler
At the aftershow, Tim plays 鈥楾eenage Kicks鈥� on his acoustic guitar. Some of the crowd have made the short journey over to the Latitude venue, but others are simply glad to hear a tune that is forever young. Tim also delivers a few of his songs that are in that sphere: 鈥楽hining Light鈥�, 鈥楪irl From Mars鈥�, 鈥楢 Life Less Ordinary鈥�. His solo album is just about finished but tonight is hardly the right time. That鈥檚 a special connection for another day.
Our extended time at the screening kept us away from much of the Girls Names set but the last few songs had a glowering presence and much approval. Likewise with the Lost Brothers and a return sxsw performance. 鈥楳oon River鈥� will light up every event, so also with 鈥楴ow That The Night Has Come鈥� and the boss harmonies. Psycatron made an abrupt change with the pulses and the digital confections and the NI showcase rattled home.