大象传媒

We really are spoiled these days. Used to be a time when you'd have to indulge in an Indiana Jones-esq quest to get your hands on local music, but most people these days just log on to for a plethora of Northern Irish musical delicacies. And to celebrate their 1st birthday, the good folk at the site have selected a wonderful a la carte menu, representing three very different slices of the Northern Irish musical cake.

Punk-blues powerhouse The Bonnevilles open the proceedings, making as much noise as a Boeing 747 getting ready for take-off. Guitars are mangled, drums are pounded, and woes are hollered, as the Lurgan two-piece take us on a journey through the Armagh delta. The band are incredibly effective in a live setting, with enough technical chops to convincingly pull this kind of thing off, but enough punk attitude to keep it from sliding into 'muso' territory. Unfortunately, they play for what feels like an eternity, massively outstaying their welcome. If their set had been a short, sharp shock, it would have been devastating. Instead it became an endurance test, devastatingly boring.

MojoFURY have an album under their belts, and seem to be rising from their torpor, ready to unleash their own brand of textured rock noise on a hungry public. Perhaps it's the years they've spent honing their attack, but MojoFURY effortlessly slide between high-octane thrashers and reflective ruminations. This breadth of material frequently means it's hard to compare them to anyone but themselves, which can only be a good thing. There's a darkness to them which might not be to everyone's taste, but to those of us who relish such a thing, MojoFURY deliver in all the right ways.

And then it all goes a bit crazy. Team Fresh have gained a reputation for their energetic performances, and the sense that every gig they play is a party, with stage invasions and mosh-pits now an expected sight. By the time the riffs kick in, the crowd are ready to cut lose, soaking up the noise. It's a raucous sight, and the audience are well up for it, with chugging guitars and spat out lyrics flying out in all directions. However, no matter how exciting a performance they deliver, there's no escaping the fact that they're essentially a rap-metal band, and their reputation will stand or fall depending on your opinion of "that sort of thing". Simply put, if you like the sound of a man rapping in a Portrush accent, whilst nu-metal riffs explode in your face, then this is the sort of thing you'll like. If not, there's nothing at all on offer, save a few guys putting 110% into jumping up and down and pointing occasionally.

And then it ends, and we take off our party hats, collect our party bags, and go home, tired and stuffed full of musical goodness.

Next year, there better be a clown.

Steven Rainey