Monsenior Single Launch at Bello Bar, Dublin, 14th March 2014

From the outside, the Bello Bar doesn’t look like much. But those who packed in to the cosy confines of the intimate venue on Friday night were in for a real treat.

The ambient lighting only added to the chilled atmosphere of the Bello Bar. The main event here was the single launch of a band called Monsenior, organized by their label, Pickled Onion Records. But there were two fantastic acts to see before Monsenior even took to the stage.

Kicking off the night was a duo called Fabian and Farah. The pair blended their voices with a classical guitar and a synth, and the result was captivating. Their voices worked in perfect harmony, and it was nice to see Fabian hit the highs while Farah handled the lower notes, especially on songs like the delicate Sinking.

Next to take the stage were four-piece Fanlights. This was only their third gig, which is genuinely hard to believe as they brought their own unique sound to the stage. Fanlights showcased a convincing set, led by strong female vocals, glistening guitars and rhythmic bass. The slow building opening number Freeze Time was one of the high points of the set from a band that surely have big things in front of them.

When Monsenior took to the stage, a genuine air of excitement filled the room. The band uses tight musical arrangements and a trio of vocals that blend perfectly to create their own distinct brand of pop music. Tall Tales is a certain stand-out from the set, led by punchy drums and bass and swirling guitar. The single that the night was about, Raise A Glass, closed the proceedings on a high. It is a tight pop number that is folk driven but retains the alt-pop notes throughout.

In a world where pop music has become one big mash of rarely varying sounds, it’s good to see that there are bands like Monsenior fighting to keep it alive as it should be – uplifting, contagious and an altogether enjoyable experience.

Raise A Glass is available from the Monsenior’s website, here.