GiggingNI.com

Kate Walsh

With John D'Arcy;

Having already had the chance to interview Kate Walsh and have a rummage around her website, I became curious as to what she may be like live. So, on Tuesday 27th October, I took my chance and perched myself on a miniature cushioned stool upstairs in Auntie Annies. As it turned out, I needn't have worried that I may not enjoy what I was about to witness.

First up to warm up the crowd was John D'Arcy, who thought that his spectators "looked warm enough already." I have to admit, to begin with, I didn't really know what to expect from the quiffed and retro-fashioned one man acoustic band. I mean, the 'teddy boy' concept seems to lend itself to the grim image of balding men amidst a mid-life crisis, not a fresh faced twenty-something with a full head of hair! Yet the moment he began singing, it was instantly obvious that he had an impressive little set tucked up his grey tailored sleeve. Opening with 'More Like Me,' the title track of his recently released debut EP, he received an instantly warm reception from the compact, yet adequately occupied venue, before asking if I had got a few decent shots. I'm sure he'll be pleased to learn that indeed I had!

D'Arcy's setlist included songs about "being rubbish at doing dishes and stuff like that," and "driving home and being too much in love and all that stuff," which were generously embellished with local phrases, sung loudly and proudly in a broad Northern Irish accent. This entertained the onlookers, who greeted each Ulster Scots colloquialism with a resounding giggle. However, my personal favourite of D'Arcy's tracklist was 'Pop Tart,' a song almost as infectious as his personality, which was used as the performance conclusion, leaving the crowd to rigorously cheer him offstage. And he thoroughly deserved the admiration!

After an impatient half hour wait and some minimal stage preparation, the enchanting 'Kate Walsh' finally adorned the stage, graciously greeting her fans in a polite manner, before beginning her set list with 'The Baker.' She then invited her cello player onstage for 'Fireworks,' before completing her band with her keyboardist for 'Sea Farer,' from her new album, 'Light and Dark.' It was then that she decided to publically apologise to a member of her crew for 'f**king up her sound check earlier,' to which her onlookers roared with laughter, possibly because hearing someone so polite and softly spoken say the 'F' word sounded so undeniably odd.

In fact, Kate's entire performance was sprinkled with curiously witty humour, as she compared her regular piano (known as the beast) to the space saving effort available to her on the night, which she matter-of-factly described as, "a fisher price 'my first keyboard,'" which she then attempted to play without switching on. And then there was the story of the woman in Portsmouth who had picked a Kate Walsh song to accompany her in her marriage ceremony, which was, as Kate so nicely informed her, written about one night stands. I think that may be a decision that will need to be reconsidered! It was at this point that it had become obvious as to why John D'Arcy had been her support act - the similarities in both their music and personality were uncanny!

However, I cannot let the concert repartee overrule what was an outstanding musical contribution from the Essex born performer. Despite having been awake since 4am, her singing was flawless from beginning to end, with each and every song receiving rapturous applause and 'Woo-hoo's.' Although the unrivalled highlight of the evening was her performance of 'Light and Dark,' the title track of her recently released record, before ending her unbeatable main set with a Turin Brakes cover, which finished a close second. Finally, not a girl to leave her fans hanging, Kate returned for an encore, closing the acoustically pleasing night with 'Our Song,' which carried with it an obvious dedication to her adoring fans, before leaving the stage amidst thunderous gratification and the promise of "hanging around to say hello, and scribble on stuff." I have no doubt there were no shortage of attendees who did just that.

Gigging NI would like to wish John D'Arcy a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!