Review of And So I Watch You From Afar in Dolans Warehouse, Limerick on May 18th 2011
Review by Martin O’Sullivan
And So I Watch You From Afar might not be the loudest band on the planet, but they’re getting there. 10 hours after I left a packed and sweaty Dolans Warehouse the buzzing in my ears has just about abated. On the first night of the Irish leg of the tour to promote the almost universally acclaimed 2nd album, Gangs, the Belfast four piece are a force to be reckoned with. Since being released Gangs has been the talk of the blogging community and beyond, and with good reason. It’s an album that demands attention from the opening chord, and the live show is no different.
The crowd, nicely warmed up by 3 opening bands, were awaiting the arrival of their heroes and were not disappointed with the results when they arrived onstage. Starting out with a wall of feedback and bass drum that launched us into Gangs opener “BEAUFIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION“, we were 3 songs in before there was time to catch a breath. Sometimes the sound in Dolans can be a little murky but tonight every note of Rory and Tony’s guitars were crystal clear. One of several highlights of the night, “D Is For Django” The Bastard, brought the opening 4 song salvo to a close and gave the punters a chance to rehydrate. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a mosh pit like that in Dolans and it’s a welcome sight in a world where moshing and generally enjoying yourself can, and often does, get you ejected from a venue. I even saw a stage diver at one point!
ASIWYFA seem to be four lads that a very happy in their current employment. Drummer Chris Wee is a powerhouse sticks-man and along with Jonathan Adger on bass form a driving rhythm section that takes the band to another level of excellence. Mixing the set with tunes from both Gangs and their self titled debut it looks as if the the initial apprehension of playing the new tunes live has been discarded. “Search: Party: Animal” sits comfortably beside “Set Guitars to Kill” for example and closing the set with “The Voiceless” is an inspired choice as it sends the crowd home with appetite for more of the same on future visits to Limerick and beyond.
Overall an excellent outing from the Belfast boys and one that will be ringing in my ears for a while to come.