Chromatics - Andrew's Lane Theatre, April 24

Slightly late with this one as the Dublin brigade of BTBW have been busy with things non-music related for the past few days. This was our first experience of the newly opened Andrew's Lane Theatre venue, smack in the middle of the hub of all things great in Dublin - the Grafton-Stephen's Green-George's St-Dame St. rectangle*. We were more than impressed. The dark, brick walled interior to the dance-hall style venue allows for a nice atmosphere to generate. There is ample room to throw a few shapes too which is always good. The line-up fitted the surroundings perfectly - David Kitt opened playing his Spilly Walker stuff, sans his brother. Aside from the already established (in our kitchen anyway) classic Let the freak come out at night, Spilly Walker appear to have a few more gems up their sleeve. The dark and heavy electronic beats accompanying colourful guitar riffs are a far cry from Kitt's earlier work. An album or EP release is highly anticipated in these parts after this taster. Donal Dineen finished the night once Chromatics were done, and as usual did not disappoint. If every gig ever was accompanied by these two gentlemen that would be just fine with me. As for the main event, Chromatics treated us to a very competent and progressive rendition of what they have to offer. Their attire and onstage demeanour are straight out of the uber-cool New York scene, but, I suppose, as Ron Burgundy famously conjectured, When in Rome....Early tracks included their beautifully subtle rendition of The Boss's** I'm on Fire before moving on to more upbeat tracks such as Night Drive and In the City, the quality of which should render this group destined for greatness. Their finisher, a cover of Kate Bush's Running up the Hill was more than enthusiastically received by an audience which knew they were looking at a group with serious potential. Hopefully this will not be the last we see of them on these shores. Oh, did I mention, the singer is a hottie too?

*this area may not in fact be rectangularly shaped.

**Bruce Springsteen is the boss

chromatics myspace