Hermitage Green have been slowly gathering momentum since the release of EP The Gathering in 2012 and the packed audience at Holy Thursday's gig at The Academy is testament to the loyal fan base that the Limerick boys have created.
It's impossible to ignore that the five-man line-up is pretty easy on the eye and the fact that the audience includes a contingent of ladies dolled up to the nines would suggest that some of their fans aren't here solely for the music. This, combined with the unfortunate coincidence that the country will be an alcohol-free zone in three hours, creates a bit of a challenge for the band and the rising noise levels throughout the gig slightly temper the atmosphere during some of the Green's opening numbers.
However, it's clear as the night progresses that Dan, Barry, Darragh, Dermot and Darragh have substance as well as style and they are well up to the challenge of taming this rowdy crowd. Fan favourite 'Gibson'
grabs the audience by the scruff of the neck and while the Irish influences work on some tracks, it is on the percussion-led, Americana-flavoured songs that Hermitage Green really shine.
Having just released their first album, unusually opting for a live album recorded at Whelan's, the band have largely made their name through putting their own stamp on some popular hits and the cheers that greet
Cosmic Love reflect this. But it is their cover of Massive Attack's
'Teardrop that stands out for me, when they manage to still the crowd to a pindrop silence (an achievement in itself) and launch into a beautifully subtle rendition that showcases the spine-tingling vocals of the Murphy brothers.
Other highlights of the night include a jawdropping percussion display and the introduction of
Síomha Brock for a stunning performance of one of the band's strongest songs
Sun Never Rose and a down and dirty cover of Etta James'
I Just Want To Make Love To You. With over 500 gigs under their belt, it's clear that these guys know how to work a crowd and have everyone in the venue in the palm of their hand before they leave the stage.
The overriding impression from the gig is that this former cover band is definitely well into the transition of standing on its own two feet but perhaps needs a little more time to really nail down a signature sound. While some of the original material (such as
Aisling) falls short, there is definitely enough here to pique interest for the future offerings of Hermitage Green.
We'll be keeping an eye out for these guys.
