Murphys Live Cork Leg

Posted on 29th Mar 07 by Contributor | 0

Artist: Exit Pursued By A Bear" The Citizen
Author: Mark McCarthy

Exit Pursued By A Bear" The Citizen" The Blizzards

Yes folks it"s the time of year again when various competitions kick off and make for an exciting music calendar with IMRO Showcases" National Student Music Awards and Murphy"s Live providing highlights for music fans. Exit: Pursued By A Bear are just about to start as I make my way into An Br"g and the place is absolutely heaving. I"ve always liked the way Murphy"s give bands an attractive headline band in order to draw the masses and tonight it has worked effectively.

Exit: Pursued By A Bear have been touted as ones to watch with a while now and tonight cements their credentials as pioneers of stylish and original music blending multiple genres with ease. The mainly experimental and electronic outfit instantly look the part on stage and appear to be feeding off the amiable and growing crowd. With Sigil and Squirm opening their set it is evident that" with their tendencies to flit from electronica to post rock moments" these guys are trying to formulate something new and highly experimental out of tried and trusted genres. Midway through the set the forthcoming debut Single The Wine She Drinks "out April 27th" begins with catchy electronic beats complimented by groovy bass lines surrounded by a chill out backdrop combined with excellent vocal build up.

The crowd are now swaying to Exit: Pursued By A Bear"s hypnotic rhythm and revelling in their ability to keep things hot once sufficiently warmed up. By the time their final track of the night No Transcending echoes out in a loop throughout the venue the atmosphere is one of the most exhilarating experienced in An Br"g in quite some time. If you see Exit: Pursued By a Bear coming to a venue near you then mark it in your diary as they are guaranteed to entertain.

Next up are another Cork based band The Citizen. An unenviable task of following such a performance awaits the indie/folk rock group but they seem determined to keep the crowd focused and entertained. The Citizen have gained a lot of interest over the past few months and justifiably so" a slot at the upcoming National Student Music Awards Cork heat awaits where they will play support to Lotus Lullaby "now known as The Gift". While providing a totally different sound with their Damien Rice inspired vocals and easy going guitars The Citizen do well to keep the crowd interested. Timid at first" the indie quartet grow in confidence throughout their performance with noticeable songs from their Paper Hearts EP providing those in attendance the chance to sing along. What is notable with The Citizen is the vocal mixture of John O"Connor and Lisa Walsh as they compliment each other beautifully and naturally. Hold Tight and the emotive Calvary are excellent songs in their arsenal and are well received" throw in a cover of Neil Young"s Heart Of Gold and all in attendance have smiles fixed on their faces.

And lets hear it for the headliners of this heat The Blizzards. Having played an incredible amount of gigs over the past year The Blizzards ensure that a" you won"t forget them in a hurry and b" you all know and love their songs. How they managed to fit in all their equipment on the stage is anyone"s guess but these guys sure know how to entertain. It seems an enjoyable night was had by all as Superdrug emits from the speakers to finish this leg of Murphy"s Live.

www.myspace.com/exitpursuedbyabeartheband
www.myspace.com/thecitizen4

Photo by Fionn O Ceallachain