Across the line Feed

SONGBOOK BELFAST

2022-08-09T13:15:43+00:00

A gig in the Ulster Sports Club on a Tuesday? Say no more, I’m there.

It’s the first Tuesday of the month and I’m on a mission to find new music. The Ulster Sports Club has fashioned itself into quite the hotspot for new music. The venue still has the retro feel of the old Sports Club it once was only now it seems to be at the heart of the Belfast music scene. When you step inside the door you get hit with what can only be described as the USC’s own brand of unique perfume and a friendly hello from the bar staff.

Making my way upstairs I’m greeted by familiar Songbook regulars, we’ve all become one big Songbook family over the last few gigs. The lights reflect off of the shimmering gold streamers that dress the stage, with the addition of the pride flag this month. The house band are on stage and eagerly awaiting for host Nathan O’Regan to get the party going. The crowd is cheerful and there seems to be an exciting buzz as the suspense builds to see Laytha and Rory Nellis perform.

Nathan O’Regan’s wit and humour win the crowd over straight away, as he opens the show with a few songs with the house band; playing some well known O’Regan classics. You could even hear some of the Songbook veterans singing along in the crowd. Indie Folk duo Laytha leave the crowd speechless as they perform. This is my first time catching them with a live band, and I’m obsessed! Their voices blend so beautifully it gives you goosebumps. Their upcoming single ‘Strawberry Moon’ is really infectious and the crowd are taking it all in like kids on the first day of school. Laytha are performers that leave you wanting more - I can’t wait to hear the debut album they’ve been working on.

Rory Nellis, guest number 2 hops onto stage. Straight away he has a stage presence that is undeniable. There’s something really warm and reassuring about him, gaining him a lot of fans in the audience. His performance is enjoyable and it’s evident he is a seasoned performer as he plays with ease. Playing tracks from his ‘Written & Underlined’ album it’s really interesting to hear them with a different arrangement, he comments on this himself, getting a chuckle from the crowd. I really love how his vocals are super strong and soar through the venue, you can really hear the grit and emotion in the words he’s singing.

After a short interval, a few more songs from Laytha and Rory Nellis, Nathan O’Regan (the host with the most) hops back on stage to close the night. It’s warm, the crowd are merry and it’s time for one more song. The infamous ‘Crazy For You’. A song when recorded sits at 4minutes and 14 seconds but at Songbook we get the extended version. Each band member beams with their colourful introduction from Nathan as they take the spotlight in turns to showcase just why they’re masters of their instruments. It’s such an amazing moment to watch. And just like that, another Songbook is over. A Tuesday night well spent.

Electric Picnic 2017

2017-09-12T11:21:48+00:00

Highlights from this year's EP, including chat from Bicep, All Tvvins, Brand New Friend, TOUTS, Beoga, Waldorf & Canon and Slow Place Like Home.

Gig Report: Gascan Ruckus 29th January 2016

2016-02-05T11:31:17+00:00

Bethan Leonard reports from the album launch of Gascan Ruckus on 29 January 2016 in Belfast, with support from The Emerald Armada, Bee Mick See and DANI.

Gig Report: Loris at The Black Box, Belfast

2015-11-10T14:38:53+00:00

ATL's Jessica Dunleavy went along to The Black Box, Belfast on Friday the 6th November to chat to Loris, New Portals and Strength.

Gig Report: The Final Radar

2015-10-27T13:24:04+00:00

Taylor Johnson went along to Queen's University Students' Union in Belfast to talk to event organiser Dee McAdams and Mojo Fury's Mike Mormecha at the last ever Radar.

Mojo Fury at the final Radar

Gig Report - Girl Band September 2015

2015-09-29T14:56:06+00:00

Taylor Johnson heads to Bar Sub for an intense performance by the noise-rock quartet, Girl Band.

Electric Picnic 2015 - Day 1 & 2

2015-09-17T10:59:03+00:00

Rigsy and the team chat with Bleeding Heart Pigeons, Robocobra Quartet, BeeMickSee, The Lost Brothers, Race The Flux, Saint Sister, Ham SandwicH, Silences & Le Boom at Electric Picnic 2015 - Day 1 & 2.

Electric Picnic 2015 - Day 3

2015-09-17T10:40:19+00:00

We go on alternative tour of the Electric Picnic site with Cathy Moorehead. Plus Rigsy and the team chat to Villagers, Girl Band, Fight Like Apes, The Clameens & Le Galaxie, on Day 3 of Electric Picnic 2015.

Gig Report: Stendhal Festival of Art 2015

2015-08-11T16:20:42+00:00

Ciaran Lavery & Ryan Vail at Stendhal 2015

ATL's Peter Cinnamond made the trip to Ballymully Cottage Farm to catch up with some of the bands playing Stendhal Festival of Art 2015, including Sullivan & Gold, Ryan Vail and Duke Special

Gig Report: Sunflower Fest 2015

2015-08-05T10:05:59+00:00

Performing at Sunflower Fest 2015 we hear from Hot Cops, R51, Screaming Eagles, The Wood Burning Savages, Petty Youth, LORIS & HOW, with Bethan Leonard.

Gig Report: Go Girl

2015-07-01T16:26:18+00:00

Go Girl by Ciara McMullan

Jessica Dunleavy did a gig report for ATL at the debut gig of Go Girl in Belfast. Where we hear from Mel of R51, Alice Kearney, Ciara McMullan and Cheylene Murphy.

Gig Report: We Are Knives 12th June 2015

2015-06-19T13:08:28+00:00

On Friday 12th June We Are Knives played a special Tenth Anniversary Show at McHughs, Belfast and Rebecca Armstrong went down to report on the gig.

Gig Report: Empty Lungs, Hot Cops, Stygmate and Different Ghosts

2015-04-29T10:12:09+00:00

Taylor Johnson reports from The Menagerie, Belfast where Empty Lungs played with support from Hot Cops, Stygmate and Different Ghosts on Friday 24th April 2015.

Empty Lungs by Paris Visone

Gig Report: Jape in The Woodworkers, Belfast

2015-03-11T11:48:36+00:00

Jessica Dunleavy went to one of Belfast's newest venues hosting live music, The Woodworkers, to catch up with Jape before and after their Saturday night live set.

Gig Report - A Vibe for Terri

2014-12-30T12:45:07+00:00

Terri Hooley at Electric Picnic 2013

Rebecca Armstrong went along to the Vibe for Terri gig in the Limelight, Belfast and caught up with some of the organisers and performs at the event

Gig Report - A Vibe for Terri