After seeing Conor O’ Brien’s new band Villagers support Halves (Purveyors of groovy bell action) on Saturday , I felt I had witnessed the start of something completely enthralling, a band that are sure to be doing some big things in ’09. Essentially, O’ Brien’s solo project it may be but he has surrounded himself with a great band, two of which feature regularly in One Day International. O’ Brien himself is a captivating singer, the kind that closes his eyes. moves away from the mic and still blindly knows his exact position on the stage as he exalts through song.
It was probably Villagers fourth ever gig (and maybe only the second or third with a full band) but the songs are already near fully formed, ready for inevitable adoration. Yes, that good. So good that there were a few people singing along already to ‘The Meaning of the Ritual’ and ‘Home’, songs currently only available on Myspace.
I am not the only one who thinks so. An EP is due in late January. No pressure like.
http://www.myspace.com/wearevillagers
More solo videos after the jump.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
There was such a feeling of excitement in the air, it was fantastic. They performed like a band who’d been together a lot longer too.