Photos: Niall O'Kelly Photography
Info: On Tuesday night Bristol trio Elder Island took over the main stage at The Grand Social in Dublin for their sold out show with support from fellow English touring partner Favela. Opening with single 'Medals' from his new album Community, electronic producer Favela provided the platform for the groove-laden and mellow evening that was in store. Upping the tempo on the second track whose name eludes me, but is noted as a 'banger +1' in my notes! the set had great variety, with other highlights including the rippling and sombre 'Gong' as well as another delicious electro-pop single in the shape of 'Call My Name' towards the end.
With the room packed, Elder Island shortly took to the stage, and within minutes we were gone, the nonchalant delivery of beyond mellow dreamy guitars and vocals drifted out from the stage like an invisible potion, settling in all of our ears, and taking command of our senses. The first track up was latest single 'Don't Lose', the funkiest of of jams which momentarily and respectfully nods its cap to the likes of 70's era George Clinton & Parliament, before the band smack down their own lavish brand.
Elder Island - 'Don't Lose'
Close to zero outside, reaching boiling point inside, it was sweaty as a MF in the packed venue already. Although early in their set, I think it was 'Bamboo' from their 2016 EP Seeds in Sand that sank us all. Did I conduct a survey of everyone in the room? No. I just looked around me. It was one of the most captivating moments I've ever experienced within an audience, trance, trip-hop, I imagined that this must have been what it was like to see the early days of Portishead, Deee-lite or Sneaker Pimps live in a small venue. Another similar moment occurred during 'Bonfires', more into the deep house zone, the electronic chill was popping out from synths n' pads, and frontwoman Katy tunnelled everything directly at us with her vocal. It really was one of those moments that will have attendees recalling it as their gig of the year, or at the very least, one of them. Their debut album The Omnitone Collection is due out February, 2019, I cannot wait, and I need to see EI live again very soon.
