主播大秀

Unannounced on tonight's bill is Kyle John Suckling and band. It is a rare treat for an act to be added at this late stage, that can grab the attention of the audience from the off. With catchy riffs and melodies, this unexpected and somewhat unknown band may just have earned themselves a few new fans.

Robert Holmes follows with an acoustic set. This change in tempo to the evening maintains the audiences attention. There are clearly dedicated fans in the audience, with one taking to the stage and then declaring himself '...your only fan!'. There is, oddly, a clear Nirvana influence to some of his tracks, specifically the chords to 'God's Pussycat' being remarkably similar to those of 'Something in the Way'.

There is a surprise in-store when Clown Parlour take to the stage. An unexpected female presence stands beside front-man Mike Mormecha. Her harmonies are unobtrusive and she isn't prominently featured until the fourth track, 'Kick Your Shoes Off', where she sings the lead, however you could question how much she adds to the performance.

The band gained recognition and applause last year when they released their first album as a free download on bandcamp. It would seem that many of the audience took advantage of this as they sing along to tracks such as 'Monday' and 'Stanley Kubrick'.

The night's headliner is greeted by the sight of the majority of the audience on their feet. Pat Dam Smyth could be as easily recognised by his thick beard as by his strong voice. He is described by some as 'seventies revival'. He has been compared to Elliott Smith, Wilco and Grizzly Bear, to name but a few. He's joined by his band The Glue, which includes Kevin Sweeney and Joe McGurgan of the Dirty Blues Band, and Mike Mormecha returning to the stage to play drums.

Not long into the set he swaps his guitar for the piano, where he proves to be just as skilled. This versatility translates to his songwriting also. The set shifts seamlessly from the"...one about heroin" to 'Riches to Rags', and 'The Great Divide' (which in itself moves from Cohen-esque verses to an almost anthem-like chorus). He humbly introduces the band before their encore ends the set, and the night. Punters are smiling, spirits are lifted and, for those who don't already have it, albums are being bought on the door on the way out.

Sarah mcGlinchey