大象传媒

A collection of gigs so epic that we had to get four people to cover them over two reviews, A Little Solidarity represented a triumph for local music. Here are the next ten reasons why it was great...

11. THE POSTERS
Seems a small thing to highlight, but branding is important. A great design almost provoked a few scraps, with stealth missions around the venues set up. But only a few lucky punters got one to keep. Luckily, t-shirts were available to buy. The must have fashion item for the season, surely.

12. PANAMA KINGS
Niall Panama Kings may be properly cool, with his ludicrous hair and dapper get up, but ATL is reminded of the time he was spotted dancing, on his own, in a Belfast night spot to Rihanna's 'Umbrella'. Hardly notable, you may assume, but he had made up his own little dance which incorporated a fake umbrella and a cheeky shake of the hips. What an absolute legend.
They were incredible on Saturday, spikier than ever, even without the wonderful 'Young Blood'.

13. BIG SCREENS
A pair of screens in Mandella Hall is a nice touch. Visuals are mixed in with close ups of your favourite local musician. Little things like how the front row are hanging over the barricades and the fact that each band's 'big' song is greeted with a sea of mobile phones makes this feel like five huge, touring acts are in town.

14. GENERAL FIASCO
You can tell they've been on mammoth tour (supporting One Night Only, to be precise), as they sound and look like a band who now know exactly what they're doing. It also feels like a leaving do for 'Rebel Get By' - a celebration of it's brilliance before it goes off around the world.

15. THE TIMING
Gone are the days of Belfest and the bigger festival season of the summer is a distant memory, so what better way to perk up our spirits in the middle of a frosty November than a local band fest? Any chance we could have one every month?

16. ASIWYFA.
Given they owned the thing in the first place, this show wasn't really going to be stolen. What they did do however, was justify why they are only second to Fighting with Wire on this bill. In fact, they were pretty much declared the finest live band by the entire venue. 'High Noon' by DJ Shadow is slayed while 'A Little Solidarity' pounds us to oblivion. 'The Voiceless' is almost too much. Everyone takes stock. This is special. This is proper. Nothing short of sensational.

17. CRASHING CONCLUSION
To end, Fighting with Wire cover 'School' by Nirvana, with Tony from Andsoiwatchyoufromafar on vocals. It's noisy, hectic and apt.

18. BAR MADNESS
It's been a while since Saturday headliners Fighting with Wire came offstage and everyone is now getting the beers in and toasting a triumphant evening. Johnny Tiernan is DJ-ing in the Bunatee, dropping Justice, MGMT and Salt n' Peppa. The atmosphere is frenzied and chaotic. It's as if a war has just ended, the rule book is torn and people are on the streets misbehaving, doing as they please and contemplating getting... a little bit naked. It's that type of night.

19. THE AFTERPARTY
It seems crude and irrelevant to reference an afterparty, but there was something a bit special about all the bands getting together and celebrating such a triumphant night. It's also worth noting that there was so many people in one of the after-events that, at one point, people seemed to be packed horizontally as well as vertically. Band members are stumbling about the place, laughing and celebrating the sheer insanity of playing a near sold out Mandela Hall. Something each and every one of them should get used to, surely.

20. THE AFTERMATH
The general consensus is that the dust must not be allowed to settle. This is how good things can be. This is how great things *will* be, from this point on. A little solidarity goes a long way.

WORDS: Emma Rose McGrady & Rigsy

PHOTOS: Ruari Drayne, Emma Smith and Rigsy