Bell X1
Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick, 4 December 2003
Limerick band Sutras opened the gig and though we missed the first few songs we
were on hand to hear some of their better-known tracks. Formed in 1999 they have
enjoyed increasing success with their songs 'Princess', 'Believe' and
'Superhero' benefiting from radio exposure on the likes of Phantom, 2FM and
Today FM. Spread across the stage were four guitars, 2 keyboards and a drum kit.
They were certainly loud and rocking. Following 'Believe' they played a piano
ballad, although I think they succeed better with the louder songs. They
received a great reception however, especially for 'Lonely Ones', which went
down really well with what was mostly a student crowd and it was great to see
some home-grown talent on show. 
The Bellies arrived on stage to a warm Limerick welcome and started their set
with what to me was a strange choice, 'Daybreak' from their current album 'Music
in Mouth'. Their mellow start was at odds with the rock of Sutras before them
and they failed to capitalise on the momentum that had built up. The talking
continued on the floor in Dolan's and the audience didn't seem to be really
drawn into the music. However Paul Noonan, the lead singer, has blossomed in the
roll of rock star and looked totally at home leading the band, he has definitely
settled into his position front-of-stage after coming out from behind the drum
kit. He's much taller in real life and in his blue T-shirt had all the right
moves, acting up on stage and managing to break the microphone stand in his
enthusiasm during 'Snakes and Snakes'. This song managed to shake the crowd up
but was followed by 'Slowset', played with a country feel to it, from their debut album, which continued the leisurely pace.
On 'Alphabet soup' the connection between Paul and Dave Geraghty was blatant.
Paul may be the leading man but Dave with his prowess on guitar, banjo, keyboard
and harmonica adds variety and layered texture to their sound. Backed up by
Brian and Dominic, they're very much a tight foursome. 'Bound for Boston Hill',
another laid-back song, was next up, followed by 'Next to you', a beautifully
arranged ballad with Dave's harmonica used to great effect. By this stage the
crowd were impatient for some faster songs and someone shouted out that they
wanted to rock, though Paul handled it with his characteristic calmness and said
before they rocked, they wanted to play some slow ones.
Paul exited stage left for the opening of 'Offshore' and Dave at his keyboards
did a fine job starting the song with Paul joining in on the harmony. Then, not
as if the crowd needed an invitation, Paul shouted out "if you're gonna be with
us please rock" and started a thumping 'Man on Mir' followed closely by the
familiar riffs of 'Tongue' which had the crowd in full rock mode. The song
slowed down mid-way through and anticipation built until they came back with a
rocked out ending. With Paul hanging out over the speakers giving it his all -
the chorus resonating around the theatre, it seemed as if they used any pent up
rage inside them on this song and were electric. 'Whitewater song' was next up
for the rock and roll treatment. When Paul started 'I'll see your heart and
raise you mine' by saying "we'll leave you with this one" the crowd quietened
and then all joined in with the "la, la, la's" at the end before they finished
it with an excerpt of Johnny Cash's 'Ring of Fire'.
The encore started with 'West of her Spine' and then the eagerly anticipated
cover of Justin Timberlake's 'Like I love you' (first performed on the Ray
D'Arcy radio show). They really made it their own, slowing it down and including
Justin's "break it down" at the end, bringing back the beat with Dave's banjo
and then "drums". The new and improved sexy Paul would certainly give Justin a
run for his money. They finished the set with 'Blue Rinse Baby' from their first
album.
From shaky beginnings they ended the gig on a high note and brought down the
house. Finally out of the shadow of their days with Juniper they are an Irish
band that does both rock and slow songs very well, even if they're not always
given the chance.
Check the CLUAS
review of Bell X1's debut album 'Neither am I'.
