大象传媒

It's beginning to get more plausible that The Lowly Knights' influences go deeper than frolicking forest animals and other such folk clich茅s because at some points tonight these guys are as noisy and excited as a Death Valley 69 Sonic Youth. These moments of energy are a welcome contrast to the respectful lull that accompanies the introductory poem recitals from Maria Mc Manus.

When the bands set continues we watch as they play a game of pass the parcel with their instruments and quickly realise that there are actually more instruments on stage than there are Knights!

The slower, alternate version of 'Weight on my Mind' is a ballsy move on the Knights behalf but the style suits the venue. A piano melody that quite literally lasts as long as it takes to put your coat on is played in memory of an ex-Lowly Knights member and a number of tracks from the newly released EP The Hollow are impressive; riddled with heart warming harmonies and enough tambourine work to convert the most devoted of cowbell fans.

Between songs they invite us to ask questions; one person queries their need for an ironing board pre-gig and they let us know the importance of freshly ironed, well presented shirt-wear.

As friends of the band take to the stage to share their own songs the gig seems more like a casual jam amongst musical peers and it's reassuring to watch them epitomise the talent we have on our own very doorsteps; we were promised a night of "music, poetry and literature" and we were given just that, all wrapped up in a proud folktastic bow.

Shannon O'Neill