And So I Watch You From Afar - Festival Republic Stage
Belfast-based instrumental powerhouse And So I Watch You From Afar performed a very strong and well-attended set at the Festival Republic Stage on Saturday evening.
The songs were performed with a surging and impassioned sense of vigour, with all songs bereft of any vocal presence besides the odd yelp from pseudo front-man, Rory Friers, which only helps add to the gusto of the performance. Furthermore, the instrumental focus makes it easier to lose yourself in the scale of their decadent bass and guitar tones. Despite their evident experimental/alternative stance, they retain a strong melodic and structural cohesion that maintains a strong focus on audience gratification throughout.
The four-piece released their second full-length record, ‘Gangs’, in April of this year, fairing particularly well in their native Irish isle. They perform tracks from both their albums, and the participation on the audience’s part reveals the success they have achieved in recent times.
All in all, a very successful representation of alternative music in Britain today.