Live review for AU Magazine. Â October 2nd 2012.
The basement in McHughâs fills up quickly due to the slightly delayed door time and eagerly awaiting fans, who hurry to secure a spot. However, judging by their willingness to sit hunkered down at the stage front, it promises to be quite a sedate night. The venueâs low ceilings and pokey alcoves provide an intimate venue for the gig as Heathers start their set with âCircular Roadâ, a track from their new album Kingdom. Twin sisters Ellie and Louise gained recognition through their catchy and distinctive song âRemember Whenâ being featured in an advert for Discover Ireland, shown on television numerous times a day meant that even if you didnât know who they were, you still knew all the words to their song. In trying to recall how long it has been since their last visit to Belfast, their avid fans are quick to remind them of their âtwo year and one monthâ absence. The duo later recounts how they played just outside the current venue; at Belsonic 2010 in Custom House Square. The pair play the majority of tracks from their new album, offering insight into the inspiration for certain songs such as âThird Railâ with its aptly locomotive-sounding drum beat and how the song âLions, Tigers, Bearsâ is the first track where Louise doesnât play guitar. The closely synchronised harmonies notable on their earlier offerings can be heard to have significantly splintered into more solo vocal efforts, or indeed, to step in and out of harmonies quite abruptly but coupled with their accented brogue this has developed upon rather than detracted from their signature style. The two vocals and acoustic guitar was the staple of Heathers earlier work and midway through the set they relieve their drummer and guitarist in order to return to these roots. It appears that recognition of Heathers work is more far reaching than even they had thought; now having songs featured in American television shows, much to their own amusement. The girls go on to cover Lana Del Reyâs âSummertime Sadnessâ and play their self confessed personal favourite from Kingdom âForget me Knotsâ and itâs easy to see why they chose it. It is strong from the outset and continues to gain momentum as they deliver it with a forceful confidence, a feeling cemented by the crowds initial reaction; seemingly a fan favourite too. They drew to a close with âUnderground Beneathâ and stating âBy the way our voices are nearly gone so weâre going to have to take it easy on this oneâ before launching into the encore âFind a Wayâ (and not taking it easy at all). The crowd appear more than satisfied and rightly so with barely anything from the duos back catalogue left un-played and saying they hope it wonât be too long before they are back.
