IN A break from the usual sound alike support slots, the Thrills crowd were warmed up by the impressive and much hyped Dead 60s, four young white men providing a ska influenced sound that was an effective midway point between the pallid reggae pastiche of UB40 and the moving reggae influenced Clash. Songs veered from reggae to dance to indie rock, often all in the course of one song, but the Dead 60s were at their most rousing during the echoey, haunting dub like sound of the instrumental verses, without the unmistakably formulaic choruses and lyrics characteristic of indie rock to distract from the otherworldly magic of the reverb laden crashy drums and guitar.

From the sound of one island to another, the Thrills provided three part harmonies, harmonica solos and jangly Telecaster sounds more akin to the West Coast of America than their native Ireland, with songs such as 'One Horse Town' and 'Big Sur'. The major chord changes could not help but transport the audience to a warmer part of the world, and feel good sing along choruses were the order of the night.

The absolutely to die for beautiful piano led ballad that is the new single 'Not For All The Love In the World' from the latest album "Let's Bottle Bohemia" (one of the most aptly named albums ever) trod the same ground as Embrace's 'Gravity' at the same venue a few weeks previously, but was made interesting by the singer's distinctive, warm voice and the panache with which the sunshine in it was diffused to the audience through the dapper band.

The songs may be a little predictable with their slow, contemplative, pretty intros giving way to a solid, upbeat chorus, but the sun inflicted crescendos and falsetto singing in the songs mirrored the audience's excitement building up to a sea of waving arms. All the songs sounded different and their uplifting nature seemed to even affect the band, who took turns to jump into the crowd at the fitting finale, 'Santa Cruz.'

Picture from www.thethrills.com

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