GiggingNI.com

A Plastic Rose

With Delirium Tremens; Ablespacer;

Another installment of THE BIG GIG was due as the month of June draws to a close and since Elliot Minor took up their usual Friday night spot, this gig was moved to a Saturday - but don't fret. THE BIG LIST managed to cement a very capable line-up to draw a crowd which included the Belfast trio, Ablespacer, rockers Delirium Tremens and the Glasgowbury-bound A Plastic Rose.

First up, Ablespacer rallied onto the stage to a muted audience and an empty floor but it would be correct to say they soon changed the night for the better. With high-energy rock and a commitment-fueled performance, Ablespacer soon turned peoples heads from the bar to the stage. Fantastic, technical music, fronted by guitarist/vocalist Robin Regan, with a delightful mix of vocals proved to form one of the best sets of the night. But despite the vast number of many capable bands now in the Northern Irish frame for breaking through, Ablespacer are certainly in with a great chance of propeling themselves into local stardom and maybe it could come when they perform in the Waterfront, along with the great acts in Panama Kings and local gods, And So I Watch You From Afar. They have everything you want to see and hear. Powerful tunes, great performances and with high energy levels, Ablespacer were on top form on a night just days after the passing of King of Pop, Michael Jackson, and were proud enough to pay tribute to him during their set.

Delirium Tremens - "an acute episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol". Now I'm not the one to say that these guys have been on many alcohol sessions each weekend but their performance was certainly enough to make you feel a little off your feet. Hard rock and thundering basslines were surely enough to send waves through the floor and into the crowd to knock everyone down - similar to a hurricane you weren't prepared for. I've heard very good things about these guys and I certainly wasn't disappointed. It's great to see that there's still some old-fashioned hard, crazy rock that you can still bang your head off the wall to. Delirium Tremens proved that you don't have to play fair to win - scream your head off, put a great band behind you and force your way through the critics. I certainly wouldn't stand in their way - hats off guys, fantastic!

Next in the line to step up onto the Spring and Airbrake stage were 'mostly Belfast' based A Plastic Rose. Fronted by Gerry Norman, who on stage looked like Ash frontman Tim Wheeler (not sure if anyone agrees with me), took the vocals alongside Ian McHugh while the rest of the band did what their do best. Attracting a good few closer to the stage, which was a sad sight being empty most of the night, A Plastic Rose proved why they will be playing Glasgowbury in the near future. I think they are one of those bands that they could have one great song which could propel themselves from local band to nationwide, or worldwide, fame. I don't know what it is and it's very hard to pigeon-hole them but they have that presence about them on stage. While A Plastic Rose were very good tonight, it's the perfect reason why you should come down to Carrickfergus this Thursday [2nd July 2009] to see them in Joymount Arms because it's going to be great!