大象传媒

A decade of belFEST? Lordy we're all getting old. Still, it's always a great excuse to get merry on a schoolnight, catch up with some old heads and occasionally be wowed by some homegrown hopefuls. Tonight there's a healthy, curious crowd upstairs in the Empire and despite missing two of the most promising acts on the circuit, The Elliots' set is mostly a tasty mix of riff and hook, vocals sometimes evoking the spirit of Mike Scott in his pomp. Occasionally lapsing into staid pop-rock, but on the whole engaging and positive. '17' is a stand-out track.

Clone Quartet have come a fair distance since their schizophrenic early days where gigs would alternate between the genuinely awesome and comedy bad. Although still a likeable scruffy lot, they've patently been working out in some kind of sonic gym. They're honed and taught, switching between four-four danceable indie rock to the more intricate, inventive side of their nature. 'Carousel' sounds immense, while 'Wont Somebody Please' is worth ten of anything from the Automatic.

Kharma 45 are the polished machine of the evening. They look and feel the part. Its evident that three years of record label shenanigans has been a sobering but galvanising experience for them. Some older tunes are dusted off to great acclaim from a section of the crowd, but the real money shot is the new single 'Ecstasy'. The entire build up of the set, including notables such as 'Come On' are just foreplay for the big release. Given the right wind, this has hit written all over it. It's a belter.

Paul McClean