Review: Coronas & Microlip Empire Music Hall Belfast


4-4-11

While Sunday nights in the Empire are usually associated with the bluesy musings of one Ken Haddock, tonight it was the turn of Dublin indie-rockers The Coronas to take centre stage. Having already sold out the venue for their Saturday gig here and Derry’s Nerve Centre on Friday, the quartet, accompanied by Colenso Parade and Microlip, completed the hat-trick and ensured the sell out crowd left happy again tonight.
First up was Omagh four-piece Colenso Parade and although it’s probably a while since they last opened a gig, they proved they can more than handle any occasion. The Empire crowd is thrown back to the swingin’ sixties with a sound more than reminiscent of the Beatles or the Monkees. Vocal melodies and catchy hooks are par for the course as the lads deliver a string of quality songs including the ever popular ‘Not For Diamonds’ and new track ‘The Truth That Ran Us Down.’ It’s well trodden ground musically, but the upbeat tempo and feel good factor are infectious and ensure that the band go down well with an appreciative crowd.
Next up are Portadown five-piece Microlip. Boosted by a new set of material and frequent airplay on local radio the sound is much more professional and polished than in previous gigs. Without being overly intricate or groundbreaking, each song is sure to get even the most stubborn toe tapping and it’s no wonder the crowd are quickly clapping and singing along. New songs ‘Silver Lining’ and ‘You’re Not The One’ are more progressive than stalwarts such as ‘Man of Steel’ and illustrate the maturing of the band. There’s a conscious shift in style towards catchy vocal hooks and melodies destined for drive-time radio. It’s unashamedly commercial, but adds to the feel good factor created by Colenso Parade.
Finally the bustling Empire dance floor is appeased by the entrance of tonight’s headliners the Coronas. The band is on the last leg of their tour and it’s as much a celebration as it is a performance. Every chorus is screamed back at front man Danny O’Reilly and vociferously cheered by the ecstatic crowd. Their indie-rock label is well earned with echoes of the View and the Libertines, but O’Reilly’s transfer from guitar to keyboards adds a new dimension to the sound. ‘What You Think You Know’ stands out in a strong set, boasting a riff of the purest blues driven by lead guitar man Dave Mc Phillips and showing  that there’s more to the band than the typical indie-rock outfit. By the time cries for an encore are answered ,the Coronas leave the stage to rapturous applause having not only satisfied their own fans, but also converted the minority in the Empire less familiar with their music before tonight’s gig.
Overall an excellent evening’s entertainment and proof that in the blizzard of post-rock and electronic shoe-gazing, there’s still a place for unadulterated, radio friendly pop and indie rock of the highest standards.

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