Live Review: Grizzly Jim Lawrie, De Fremery, Roscoe Irwin, Rob Muinos

A handful of punters cosy up in the Old Bar to watch opener, Rob Muinos, of local soul sensations Saskwatch, performing his introspective, acoustic ballads. Quite the departure from his other musical venture, Muinos' songs are heartfelt and delivered with the deft and delicate touch of a pro. 

Continuing with the quality sounds, Roscoe James Irwin proceeds to blow everyone's minds up to the stratosphere. Surrounded by instruments, Irwin gives anyone considering jumping on a loop-station in the near future instant clinical depression tonight. He opens with a trumpet ditty that bitch-slaps the audience to attention and then ends with a multitude of dreamy vocal loops. Second song, Some Day She Will Tire Of Me, is as whimsical as the title suggests, with vocal harmonies that would be right at home echoing through the hills of Ireland. Wake Up features keys over droning notes, accented by some tasteful brass and final track, Fortunate One, shifts the dynamic into fifth, with crashing rock-opera keys that shake the dust off. Roscoe James Irwin is the real deal.

What five-piece de Fremery lack in experience they more than make up for with youthful charm. Lead singer William van der Vliet's vocals sit nicely in the mix and all songs sound measured, with just the right blend of each instrument to sculpt a memorable tune. Slide guitar brings in second track, Keep It Right, to be lifted from their forthcoming EP, and features der Vliet's soaring vocals, a lovely contrast to the powerful instrumentals of the chorus. Looking forward to the EP release, lads.

Grizzly Jim Lawrie and his band unassumingly take to the stage, opening with the mellow Drenched To The Bone. Having had praise heaped on them throughout the night by all three supports, Grizzly Jim et al go on to prove their mettle. The lively Wish I Was There showcases a band equally as tight as they are laidback. Songs brimming with happy nostalgia ensue and special mention should be made of Lawrie's understated and musically sparing band, who make it all appear effortless. What Did We Do? is another masterclass in artful songwriting. The Storm brings with it a solid, hard-hitting drumbeat and fantastic backing vocals.

All four acts performed beautifully at the Old Bar tonight, and all for the mere cost of a Howard-era pint. What more could one possibly demand of a Wednesday night?