IN a year when indie went mainstream, there was precious little happening in Dublin, as has been the case for a number of years now. Granted there is a dearth of live venues, due to the dominance of dance culture, but a few tunes wouldn't go amiss either. The only stuff breaking through is (again) coming out of the North. It was very much Ash's year and Divine Comedy finally made the breakthrough he deserved - although those of you who came in late with Casanova should realise that Liberation and Promenade were of equal, if not better, status.
There is a dire need for a major dance band. Given that we have mastered almost every other form of music, there should be some band out there challenging The Prodigy, Leftfield, The Chemical Brothers et al. Guitar rock still seems to be the dominant mode of expression and when it's done well - Revelino with Broadcaster and Bawl with Year Zero - it's worthwhile, but too often you find wilfully obscure indie dross being passed off as "contemporary music".
The diversity of Irish rock still surprises - from the Sixties tinged eclecticism of the High Llamas to the indie rock of The Frank and Walters and through to the classic songwriting of A House. By wilfully ignoring their peer groups, these groups and others like them prove that the days of the postU2 sound are dead and buried.
We still need more record company support and more radio play for the bands coming through. Labels like Setanta and DJs like Dave Fanning and Tom Dunne have a handle on what is happening around them, but they shouldn't have to exist in isolation. It doesn't take much of a leap of the imagination to connect the changing demographics of the music world with what people actually want. Tabloid hysteria about "Ecstasy Deaths" doesn't help matters, and it is to be hoped that the authorities take a more enlightened approach to the whole matter. It's only rock'n'roll.
Artist to watch:
The Jubilee Allstars, a Dublin four piece signed to the local Lakota label. Highly original and very crafted in their approach to songwriting, they play a moody mix of lo fi country rock that has often been compared to the Stars of Heaven.
This year's Must Sees:
1. Both the Heineken Green Energy Festival and In The City convention were very welcome additions to the local music scene this year, providing, as they did, a huge platform for new young bands.
2. Venue wise, it is to be hoped that the current difficulties at the Mean Fiddler are resolved sooner rather than later. The Fiddler not only hosts many a dance night but also provides a platform for less mainstream bands to tread the boards. On the same note, welcome back to the Da Club, which looks set to make a big splash this year.
3. After the massive critical success of his Hawaii album, Sean O'Hagan of the High Llamas was asked to produce the Beach Boys' new work. Quite a dream team.
4. From the North, expect the great tradition to be carried on by the Bedhangers from Ballymena and Cuckoo from Derry. The Bedhangers were runners up in this year's In The City unsigned bands competition, while Cuckoo impressed everyone with their Non Sequitur EP.
5. New V2 signing The Hormones will have their new single out soon. They go out on a nationwide British tour next month, but should fit in some Irish dates before long.
6. Pirate radio stations: long may they flourish. From Jungle to Techno to Trance, there's something for everyone and the simple reason they're flourishing is that the alternative is abysmal.
