226_Light Colour Sound Festival 2014 by Michelle Geraghty_8299
Light Colour Sound Festival at Shankill Castle, Co. Kilkenny on the 4th and 5th July 2014

The inaugural Light Colour Sound Festival took place last weekend in the grounds of Shankill Castle in Paulstown, Co.Kilkenny. Boasting an impressive line up featuring Irish heavyweights like And So I Watch You From Afar, Jerry Fish, Wallis Bird and Cathy Davey, there was plenty to look forward to over the two day festival.

However, there were a few major setbacks. Stages were running late on Friday, making it very difficult to know when anybody was actually going to play. Some bands didn’t play at all, which definitely was a let down for many people who were patiently waiting. This problem was partially resolved, with some bands playing on the Saturday instead or bands from earlier in the day taking to a different stage later that night, but there was nothing to explain what was happening which was very frustrating for many.

Despite all that though, it was a successful weekend. Saturday drew a larger crowd than Friday and there was plenty of activities like yoga and pottery to partake in, as well as four stages jammed with quality music and a Spoken Word tent that was packed out all weekend.

Friday:

Friday’s line up had suffered a major blow during the week with the cancellation of well known hip-hop duo Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, who were headliners, pulled out just days before the festival was due to begin. But for all who turned out on Friday regardless, there was plenty of talent on show.

Irish post rock band Overhead, The Albatross played to a small crowd in the Whelan’s Big Top, but that didn’t stop them from giving it their all. The issue with post rock is the length of the songs, and fans were only treated to four songs during the rather short set. Two new songs were played, as well as old favourites Pigonometry and Think, Thank, Thunk.

On the smaller Brodericks stage, KaTet delivered a hard hitting set full of crunchy guitar riffs and deliciously heavy basslines that were a treat to people who had gathered around the tiny tent.

The HMV Main Stage was a particular highlight of Friday evening, with the always impressive and charismatic Riptide Movement playing to a crowd that sang and danced there way through their set comprised of new songs and old favourites, like Hot Tramp and the radio friendly Keep Keepin’ On. Following this was no easy feat, but Jerry Fish was more than up to the task and he had the crowd in the palm of his hands from the second he walked out onto the stage. He spent an impressive amount of time off the stage, coaxing the crowd to sing along with his “Oooh, aaah” reprise that was kept going for at least three or four minutes. Flanked by women resembling colourful birds, Jerry Fish delivered exactly the kind of the set you’d expect from him.

With the loss of Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, closing the main stage was left up to Cathy Davey who did just that. Reuben was a stand out track, with the entire crowd howling along during the chorus.

At the same time, Raglans were in an almost full Whelan’s Big Top and entertaining the crowd who were in high spirits. A cover of MIA’s Paper Planes went down pretty well, and even when they left the stage, the crowd continued to sing. They truly impressed, and it’s hard to see why they wouldn’t be playing on the main stage next year.

Saturday:

Saturday was a much more dreary day, full of dark skies and sore heads from partying late into the night. Only small crowds gathered for the earlier acts of the day, but there was some great acts to see.

Aztec Jackal entertained a very small crowd on the Brodericks stage, but played a truly fantastic set with beautiful harmonies and uplifting choruses. Later that day, all girl band Featuring X entertained a small crowd with well written originals and cleverly chosen covers, such as Gold on the Ceiling by The Black Keys.

O Emperor played a great set on the main stage featuring songs from both of their albums and some witty banter just before the heavens opened and soaked all in attendance. This didn’t stop anybody from dancing their way through The Barley Mob‘s set though, and the band greatly appreciated the turn out.

Over in the Whelan’s Big Top, Wicklow (and now one quarter Dublin) math rockers Enemies took to the stage.  Only a small crowd had gathered but as the set drew to a close, more had wandered in to investigate where all the noise was coming from. The dual drumming was as impressive as always, and it was to be a night for great drumming in the Whelan’s tent as Rarely Seen Above Ground took to the stage later that evening. Jeremy Hickey always is an act to remember, and as clips of him playing various other instruments in the songs were projected onto a screen behind him, he drummed manically as the tent filled up. Always an energetic act, RSAG did not disappoint. At one point, he kicked half of his drum kit off the stage and continued to play on other parts. The crowd begged with him for one more song, but as he left the stage to roars of approval, it was clear he had gained some new fans.

Jape played to a saturated audience who grooved along to new tracks as well as an extended and much dancier version of Floating. Wallis Bird played exceptionally well to an audience who sang the words back to her as she just smiled on, playing for what seemed like hours yet nobody really wanted her to leave.

Closing the stage on it’s final life was Sargent House’s very own And So I Watch You From Afar. Certainly one of the most exciting live bands in the country right now, they blistered through a set laden with old tracks and freshened up with newer ones. The front of stage became a mosh pit, and guitarist Rory Friers stopped to thank everyone mid-set; “We weren’t sure how many of you guys would turn out, but you’ve made it fucking worth it for us.” There was head banging and crowd surfing as fans jumped around in the mud, enjoying the last of what was a great weekend for Irish music.

Light Colour Sound Festival – Friday – Photo Gallery

Photos: Michelle Geraghty

Light Colour Sound Festival – Saturday – Photo Gallery

Photos: Michelle Geraghty