Kicking off the evening proper were The Realistics from New York. Sounding like a cross between the Beach Boys and the Hives, the Realistics are one of the happiest looking bands I’ve ever seen play and their inherent verve was contagious and everyone in the crowd seemed to be really impressed with their stage presence and song quality. Their drummer Dave is one of the best drummers I’ve been lucky enough to see ever, and his speed/intensity around the kit was truly something else (rivalling Dave Grohl and Chris Dangerous). If you have a like infectious upbeat rock, then I highly recommend you check out The Realistics.
As Longwave nonchalantly took to the stage, it became apparent that they were extremely at ease and ready to give the last date on their Ireland/UK tour the send off it deserved. Even small technical hitches like guitar strap breakage and effects boxes failing did little to dent the overall cohesion and flow of the show. Old classics were mixed in seamlessly with new favourites, from “Pretty Faces†to the likes of the explosive “Tidal Wave†and the haunting “Everywhere You Turnâ€. Steve Schiltz seemed happy to be in Dublin again after their successful show supporting the Strokes in the Olympia, and was very vocal with his praise of the crowd and mid-set banter.
However, it was the sheer energy and enjoyment the band put into their performance that set the night apart. When you’ve got great tracks, it’s easy to sit back and rely on the calibre of the songs to pull you through, but at every turn Longwave were adding something new to each song, be it explosive drum fill or softly whispered lyrics. Longwave don’t bullshit a live performance, they simply get up on stage and let the fact that they love what they’re doing shine for everyone to see. From Steve’s masterful control of his extensive effects board; feet flashing across whammy faster than the Lord of the Dance, to Dave Marcheese beating his bass to within an inch of it’s life. With Shannon Ferguson on guitar and Mike James on drums forming the backbone of each pumping song, this four piece are hard to fault.
The energy and passion with which Longwave play is something that many bands lose shortly after their first album, but it’s the hunger to play the music they love that has kept Longwave sounding vital and fresh. Tonight Dublin belonged to New York’s finest.
You can listen to some tracks at