GiggingNI.com

A disappointingly attended gig in Auntie Annie's may have led you to believe that there wasn't some great entertainment on offer tonight. This, however, was as far from the truth as you could imagine. Some odd choices in background music preceded the bands and ranged from experimental jazz to what sounded remarkably like a chainsaw. Not a fitting beginning to a hard-hitting night of the best in modern Irish music.

First up were local boys The Beat Poets who set off at a blistering pace. John Dinsmore's piercing vocals accompanied by his lively performance made for a highly entertaining set during which the mic stand was at times no less than an extension of his arm as he used it to dance around the stage. These guys look like they mean business with leather jackets and long hair and their music suits their style. Rockers like "Staring Stars Down" and "GI" got pulses racing while other more melodic songs with vocals reminiscent of bands like Aerosmith reveal a softer side to the four-piece. Alternating between one and two guitars, The Beat Poets achieved an exceptionally full sound, and the traditional rock line up was a breath of fresh air from some technology dependant acts dominant in Belfast currently. A set laden with catchy vocal hooks, effect laden guitar lines not dissimilar to U2, driving and at times delicately intricate drumming and pounding bass lines was given a good reception by the small crowd in Auntie Annie's and exemplified exactly why this band are getting worldwide airplay.

If the Beat Poets weren't rocky, upbeat or catchy enough for you, then Dublin's Humanzi must have satisfied even the most difficult to please in the audience. An exhilarating array of styles ranging from metal, to electronic dance and back to glam rock had the audience on the edge of their seats and some fans considerably closer to the dance floor than their seats. One song may have put the listener in mind of a dancy Kasabian track, while another may have conjured images of a heavy metal band in the throes of chaos. This diversity doesn't hinder the band by making every song a direct contrast to its predecessor, rather it is something many modern bands lack and Humanzi have pulled it off with devastating effect. Chanting vocals in songs like "Diet Pills and Magazines" were met with adoration from a pocket of fans and surely caught the attention of some less familiar with Humanzi's music. Despite requests for older songs, the band were confident enough to continue with a variety of old and new material. Front-man Colm Rutledge commanded the attention of the audience from beginning to end and proved himself to be a natural performer contributing to a highly enjoyable show, despite the questionable and at times distracting appearance of Lemmy's [Motorhead] miniature clone in the shape of Humanzi's bassist who appeared to possess an invisible pogo stick.

With a long drawn out, but thoroughly entertaining climax Humanzi left the stage to loud cheers and applause which was well deserved. An excellent evening spent listening to some great new music that was warmly received by an undeservedly poor turn out in Auntie Annie's.

Venue: Auntie Annies, Belfast - Date: 10/6/2009

GiggingNI.com Rating: 7/10 - Review By: Daniel Lynch