Bristol Trinity Centre, 16th October 2022
If there is anyone with questions as to the limits to what a guitar can be pushed to, consult Gilla Band. Synthesisers stay dormant, when you possess the talent and technical knowledge of strings and pedals of the 4 piece, Irish noise rock group.
When listening to their albums, I would question how on earth in a live scenario would Gilla Band be able to achieve their totally unique sound; that I can best describe as, the most tense, assaulting nightmares you’ve had, transcribed to audio…. It’s meticulous chaos, and it’s beautiful. Any possible cynicism or wonder on how this translation can happen in an effective means is blown away in one of the most mesmerising, tightest and authentic performances I’ve seen. There was no time for gimmicks or show boating at the trinity centre, just focus. Both bassist Daniel Fox’s and lead guitar, Alan Duggan’s pedalboards were filled to the brim. Even Vocalist Dara Kiely brandished his own station of sound destroying effects fed to his mic, in an effort to provide the most true to their LP’s vocal and instrumental experience as possible – task successful.
Their massive setups were used with frightening precision. The utter believability of Kiely putting his soul on display when performing, the anxiety inducing bass and slashing strums – listening on Spotify after you’ve felt it wrench your insides so relentlessly in person, just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore. Moshing kicked off at track one and barrelled on all the way until the end. With their 3rd album released not 2 weeks ago, the set list was dominant with new material, which the dedicated fans taking up most of the audience had already memorised to scream back at Kiely – a great cross-section of older rockers and punks, young alternative fans and a few metal heads.
Leading single Backwash was an experience in itself. Previous album favourites Shoulderblades, Lawman and Going Norway tore up the venue too. You sweat, your neck kills, and you need a good 10 minutes after the show to process things. it’s cathartic, tumultuous, loud as **** and I can’t wait until I get to feel it again.
@satyrmediauk
