REVIEW: Brian Deady Live At Reardens With Bulmers Live

Brian Deady played as part of the Bulmers Live series of gigs.

The recently, revamped Reardens bar on Cork’s Washington Street was the final venue for the Bulmers Live Festival. Reardens is the busiest bar in the city and has for a long time been a proud supporter of live music. The new layout of the bar will certainly ensure they continue to thrive. The task of bringing the curtain down on this excellent run of events fell to West Cork’s Brian Deady. The Skibbereen born artist is riding high on the back of the success of his excellent, debut album ‘Non Fiction’. Catching Deady in an intimate setting like this is quite the coup, as in recent months he has been playing to full houses in some of the country’s biggest venues.

The Burma are fast becoming Cork's most talked about indie rock back. Alan Donovan (of Green On Red fame) in particular has been singing their praises. Tonight, the Cobh based, 5 piece (named after a famous set of steps in their home town) are proving well worth the hype, as they warm up the crowd. Their 10 song set flies by in no time. The best of their own numbers were "Out In The Heat” and "Hard To Say". However; and I am sure their traveling fans may disagree, but to the ears of this long term Smith's fan, their cover of ‘This Charming Man’ was the highlight of the show. The guitar work on this 80's classic was exceptional. I think big things can be expected of The Burma.

The crowd had been gradually increasing throughout the warm up set, so by the time Brian Deady took to the stage it was chock a block. Deady with 4 piece band in tow started off his set with the up-tempo, trio of 'Tapes', 'Seams' and the excellent 'Call My Name', before he, as he says in his own words "slows it back down” with the beautiful 'A Darkness'. Next, laughter ensues as Deady dons a werewolf mask to introduce us all to the Beast for 'All Star Cast' which ends in an impromptu werewolf sing along. Soon after and at the request of a hen party who had been occupying the dance floor, the tempo was once again raised, and in some style too. 'Over Like MacGyver', 'September' and smash hit 'Clap Both My Hands' have the packed crowd on their feet. The show came to an end to loud applause after the raucous 'Get On My Knees And Pray’. Bulmers Live certainly kept the best for last, as this excellent performance by Brian Deady and Co was the perfect choice to bring their energetic festival to an end.

Words: Anthony Kelly