Review by Aisling O’Brien
Photos by Sean Conroy
Bell X1 at Vicar Street, Dublin on November 11th 2010
Thursday night in Vicar Street saw Bell X1 take to the stage as part of their acoustic tour, the atmosphere in the venue was a complete contrast to that of the stormy conditions outside, it felt like the calm of the storm. The stage was stripped back, just the three lads and their instruments. Walking in a half eight we were informed they were about to take to the stage, by the time we got a drink and positioned ourselves with a good view on the balcony, Paul was on the last few lines of the first song. Delving straight in to How Your Heart Is Wired, I could tell that this was going to be a gig to remember. “Hello, how are ya?” was how Paul greeted a timid crowd, informing us that they have “never done this acoustic malarkey in Dublin.”
Introducing “a weird new song”, Paul, who had a great rapport with the crowd, explained the back story, of how they were at the Austin City Limits Festival and how a sort of man love developed, the song titled Velcro, was met with a burst of giggles. It is a catchy little number which seemed to be received well by the crowd. As the opening chords of Bad Skin Day rang throughout the venue, there were woo’s from the audience.
After a bit of chatter about the excellent selection of biscuits which is always laid on by Vicar Street, David piped in “Should we play a few songs?”
Paul, Dominic and David gathered around a mic and recorded the lalala, which again banter with the crowd ensued, for Ribs of a Broken Umbrella. Before leaving the stage for a well-earned interval we heard Flame.
Coming back on stage after the interval with Eve The Apple Of My Eye and another new one What Could Be Safer Than Love, where David takes the lead.
On a nostalgic note Paul stopped to pay tribute to the vibe in Vicar Street, and informed the crowd that it was ten years ago that they first played in the same room, and that was the reason for the current tour. In Every Sunflower was a fan favorite and was received with a widespread awe. Next To You with its cheeky lyrics and Hey Ya chorus added at the end was a definite crowd pleaser. The Great Defector had the majority of Vicar Street singing along. Alphabet Soup, See Your Heart and Raise You Mine, heart-felt thank you’s and a standing ovation brought us to the encore.
The lads kept the waiting crowd on their toes and finally appeared back on stage with West Of Her Spine. Paul told the crowd that the only member of the band with a bona-fide rock n roll mate was Dominic, who is mates with Rod Stewart’s bass player, and was in charge of bringing them out when they came to Dublin, and brought them to Coppers, which was a nice link to Slow-set which closed the show and prompted another standing ovation which was well deserved and seemed much appreciated.
If you get a chance to catch this show, I would completely recommend it, three hours of high-class homegrown talent and each performance as wholehearted as the last.