大象传媒

Rigsy regales us with ten tremendous things about the Oh Yeah Sessions album, and the great gig that launched it, at the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast.

1. It's a slick CD launch, with proper sponsorship, decent organization and a full house. Yet, according to Stuart Bailie, who's the boss round here, the whole thing is the result of a drunken conversation. Like all the best ideas, then.

2. The Outlet building is looking well. A beer company (with impressive links to live music) are involved and have pasted up huge posters of Lightbody, Wheeler, Cairns and co. Tonight is for friends of the bands and media types, so it's hardly the most rock 'n' roll vibe, but everyone is pleased to be witness to something special. The Oh Yeah Centre is already "the place to be" even before it's officially opened.

3. Cashier No. 9. Marking the inclusion of 'When Jackie Shone' as the opening track on the CD, their short set is much dirtier and swampier than we expected, based on previous shows. He initially threatened to be the quietest, indie-est boy in Belfast, but now Danny Todd is a threatening, mischievous presence (and notably, an excellent musician) doing something pretty unique, for Northern Ireland anyway.

4. Kowalski stepping up to the plate. No longer the wide eyed youngsters ATL met a couple of years back, they're now a confident, promising prospect. Even at a slightly hectic night, without a sound check, all four are at ease on that stage. Armed with massive, epic choruses, keyboards and (on Phil Kanus) a mini-chior, they now sound like a cooler, more interesting version of Coldplay, or even Snow Patrol, their guardian angles. This lot have it all in front of them.

5. And So I Watch You From Afar sum up everything Oh Yeah is about. New, much discussed and full of promise. 'A Little Bit of Solidarity Goes a Long Way' is a good place to start - noisy and uncompromising.

6. Show-stealers tonight, The Jane Bradfords. That electric drum-kit, subtle backing tracks, Hook-esque basslines and singer Deci's slight Atlantic drawl - they tend to stand out on any bill of local music in this country. 'Golden Ticket' is light and shade - gloomy and uplifting.

7. General Fiasco are on the CD, but don't play this show as they're headlining their own across town. ATL rushes over to Auntie Annies, but doesn't make it in time. We're gutted - the show was rammed and apparently it kicked off a bit. The crowd, pouring out onto the Dublin road, look exhausted, but happy. Armed with arguably the most enthusiastic fan base in the country, they've almost everything in place.

8. Start Together, the studio in the Oh Yeah Centre, has already given us an impressive body of work. The second Oppenheimer album and that splendid Jane Bradfords debut, for a start. Seven of the ten tracks on this CD were recorded at Start Together, all but one at least mixed there. Engineers Rocky Oppenheimer, Ben Three Tales and Barrett Lahey already have a great deal to answer for.

9. Friends in high places. We know Gary Lightbody is heavily involved in all things Oh Yeah (and has been from the moment this whole thing was dreamt up) and has contributed sleeve notes. But it's David Holmes who's really delivered. It's almost unfortunate that 'McCready Rides Again' is the stand out track, given Holmer is so established, but it really is a gorgeous piece of music.

10. Here's to spreading the word, then. Perhaps you'd like to enjoy Mojo Fury, Panama Kings, Mojo Fury and Cashier No.9 perform in Belfast's HMV this Monday (21st April). Whatever, just buy the CD and support what this project is all about. Get involved.

Rigsy