Music From Ireland Presents: The Full Irish Breakfast
B.D. Riley’s, Thursday, March 16
Okay, so it was the day before St. Paddy’s, but with brimming imperial pints and flowery brogues, no jury would convict you for mistaking the Full Irish Breakfast for the hallowed day. As welcome as bangers and mash on a hungover morning, Music From Ireland presented 11 acts in six hours. And yes, there’s life after U2. The inviting confines of B.D. Riley’s were populated by 11am, the dark morning beverage of choice being Guinness, not coffee. The amped-up acoustic and bright drumming of the Guggenheim Grotto‘s folk-powered rock was the first 20-minute set. Exuding confidence from deep talent, keyboardist/singer Duke Special came across like Irving Berlin with dreadlocks. The Wilkinson brothers are the Amazing Pilots, pop tunesmiths with ears for country music. They shared the stage with, and cameoed for, Iain Archer. The former Snow Patrol guitarist did the same, and offered the best quote about performing in a traditional Irish pub in the heart of Texas: “It’s a bit surreal.” Singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes – Sarah McLachlan with an acoustic guitar – was a welcome palate-cleanser. The Walls offered one of the more convincing sets of big rock and graceful punk, including “The Drowning Pool,” an excellent take on the music biz. The lead singer nailed music’s emancipating power: “The most important thing at the end of the day is to rock out.”This article appears in March 17 • 2006.