大象传媒

David Kitt always seemed to evoke the feeling of unfulfilled promise. His albums, rightly praised within his native Ireland, have never really managed to make it onto more distant shores along with his contemporaries - Hansard, Rice et al. Happily, the Irish still love him regardless, even up here in lonely Belfast, as evidenced by a lively, full crowd for an early Sunday show.

Openers Somadrone began a short 4-song set in front of a polite sixty-odd people, finishing up in front of a more healthy, happy three or four hundred. 听

The problem with Somadrone, if it's fair to say it's a problem, is that their sound is simply far too big for the two-man group. Partly due to the bright daylight still spilling in, perhaps the quiet, half-empty crowd, it felt a lot like an old CD that you appreciate, but never ever feel like putting on. But since it was live, you had no choice.

By the end of their set, they seemed to have won over a few new fans and played out with a more structured, grungy affair that built to an impressive crescendo, finally allowing you to smile and appreciate them, for which we all of us were thankful.

Immediately getting it out of the way, David Kitt explained that him and his band had performed in Dublin the night before and had a few drinks afterwards. The hangover didn't do much to slow him down - if anything, his shabby, bouncy demeanour enhanced the affair to a degree. Opener 'A Real Fire' is fresh, breezy and genuinely enjoyable.

The band, including both of the guys from Somadrone, were certainly good at their job, but not heavily enthusiastic. They really didn't need to be with Kitt on great, entertaining form.

The silly bandy-legged dancing during almost all of the songs, the self-mockery during 'Nobody Leaves', it made the Sunday evening roll by. Even when he switched to the acoustic guitar for the slower, more tender 'What I Ask,' he couldn't resist undermining himself with a few choice Whitney Houston lyrics. They managed an impressive fifteen tracks in total, including all ten from new album 'The Nightsaver'.

With the first couple of songs after the curtain, Kitt reverted to a quiet, solo acoustic sound, until he was rejoined by the band for closer 'No Truth In Your Eyes'.

Kudos to the lad, he really made it fun. He can come back anytime.
Sober or otherwise.

Words and photo:
Raymond McGahan