The Oh Yeah Project

Posted on 23rd May 07 by Contributor | 0

Artist: Gary Lightbody" Lisa Hannigan" Elbow" Starsailor" Duke Special
Author: Scott Edgar

Live Review
Gary Lightbody" Lisa Hannigan" Elbow" Starsailor" Duke Special" Burning Codes" Jetplane Landing" The Fools.
Oh Yeah Open Day" The Outlet Building" Belfast" 05 May 2007

The Oh Yeah project has been gaining momentum" like a rolling stone you might say if Dylan hadn't propelled the phrase into such journalistic ubiquity. There have been a few raised eyebrows and some unsavory sarcasm in and around the Belfast music scene as to the what's and whyfore's of the project but this open day is a chance for everyone to come down" learn more about what's going on and maybe even rub shoulders with some of those friends they have in high places.

As the day progresses I'm running between gigs in separate venues and by the end of it all I'm lacking in the cohesion but suitably caught up in the hype and excitement as the question and answer sessions" music industry stalls and guided tours give way to an intimate gig which would not only be the jewel in the crown of many a promoter but is also one of Belfast's worst kept secrets. Oh Yeah's aim is to provide a shared space for all those involved in Northern Ireland's music industry to flourish in. They can bounce ideas off each other" rehearse" write and maybe eventually record together and when the going gets tough there's a big old "wall of heroes" that can either inspire or provide the perfect target for banging a frustrated head off.

Tonight's line"up is a who's who of local talent. The ones that got away" if you will" the great and the good who in many cases against the odds forged careers in a cruel industry while starting from humble beginnings. For any aspiring performers lucky enough to make it to the gig it's a rock and roll motivational speech. Amidst the sound" sweat and freely flowing Stella Artois you can almost see that big finger of destiny pointing to the stage inviting you to be that elusive next big thing.

Former buskers extraordinaire The Fools kick things off with some quirky indie pop gems full of gritty Belfast realism but with that added sprinkle of Liverpudlian humour that has become apparent since their recent relocation across the water. Burning Codes are another band making waves across the Irish Sea. Fronted by Paul Archer who has been a sensation as the mercurial lead vocalist with The Ghears" this band has yet to formally record an EP but the select few demo songs available on Myspace and live performances like tonight's will leave you in no doubt that when a record finally emerges it will be a force to be reckoned with. The north"west is represented by Jetplane Landing who have been sadly absent from the live scene around these parts for much too long. They don't quiet rock things up as much as they have done in the past but it's an affable set and an appetite whetter for things still to come.

Gary Lightbody has been praising the Oh Yeah project since day one and so it's only fitting that he makes it back home for this memorable night. He might fluff the words to his biggest hit and stumble somewhat through a brand new song written specially for the day but he carries it off with that confident" cheeky smile and a genuine look of surprise at the big welcome home reception that you can't help but grin along as you applaud. Lisa Hannigan makes her first live appearance since parting ways with Ireland's finest whine"merchant and joins Gary in heartfelt and tender renditions of "Set The Fire To The Third Bar" and "Some Surprise". Up the stairs lie the soon to be refurbished remains of an old recording studio where it's rumoured The Undertones may have laid down some tracks in days gone by and in a fitting tribute to the successes of Belfast's diverse musical history Gary is joined by Elbow front"man Guy Garvey for an alt country" acoustic version of "Teenage Kicks".

Guy welcomes the rest of the Elbow guys on stage and treats the ever increasing numbers in the venue to an introspective" emotional but all too short set" feeling the need to apologise for his lack of Northern Irish credentials. Another Englishman takes over the stage although as an adopted resident of Northern Ireland since marrying a Ballymena lass" James Walsh of Starsailor has become one of our own. His performance of "Four To The Floor" may well be enough to affirm it as not only Starsailor's greatest hit but also as a great song. As has become the tradition of the evening" he pays homage to former heroes of the scene with a cover of one of Van Morrison's lesser known works.

It's left to Belfast's own hope of the immediate future Duke Special to round off a long" but memorable evening with a short set featuring some old" some new and some borrowed tunes. One of the newer songs of the set "Careless Heart" looks to be the runaway highlight of the evening" as it stands head and shoulders above a set diverse enough to feature the latest UK release "Last Night I Nearly Died" and "The Catfish Song" from no less than Huckleberry Hound The Musical. It's well and truly trumped though by a mis"worded but emotional cover of Ash's "Oh Yeah".

Tonight hasn't been about one man though. It hasn't been about Duke Special. It hasn't even been about Gary Lightbody. It's been about every single performer" about the guys with the vision to get this project off the ground" it's been about every supporter of the project and every volunteer and average punter off the street who have made the day the success it truly deserved to be and as the night gives way to the wee small hours every single one of those voices lifts the roof of the old whiskey warehouse along with Duke Special's Belfast lilt. "Oh Yeah" it was the start of the summer""

Photo Credit: Alan Maguire www.livemusicpics.com