Review of John D’Arcy & The Great Bunch of Lads, Auntie Annies, Belfast (3rd August 2010)

“Having seen John D’Arcy too many times to recount over the years, this reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the man’s new persona with “the Great Bunch Of Lads”. Old songs are reinvigorated and the new songs sound ready to bring John & Co. to the “next level”. Beefed up with excellent punchy baselines, muted power chords and straight up beats, John D’Arcy has moved from twee teenage songwriter to the Weezer/Blink 182 radio friendly guitar driven indie-pop that so many try and fail.

The old favourites are there, but the most exciting prospect is the quality and catchiness of the new songs in the set, making me yearn to know the words so I can sing along.”

Amy McGarrigle

Click here for the review of the whole gig, which included Wonder Villians, Varionis and Southern.