On Tuesday night TiLT began its debut showcase event in The Button Factory Dublin in association with Totally Irish 98FM, Sound Training Productions and The Button Factory. This first edition featured four exciting Irish acts – Bullet Girl, Synk, TOY GIRL and MUNKY.

Alternative five piece TOY GIRL kick started the event. Hannah Worrall’s mesmerising vocals echoed around the venue with powerful sweet tones and rich depths of captivating proportions. She punctures the rooms atmosphere with haunting crisp clarity leaving the crowd stunned in her presence. TOY GIRL’s chilled indie fluidly oozes with an R&B quality as the band, unnerved, command the stage. Their darkly coated tracks create a smoky atmosphere as Worrall’s vocals coo and haunt over the rumbling drums and eerie, piercing guitar. With their tightly layered sound of twinkling keys and rooted bass grooves the band slowly seep their enchanting tunes into the venue- mesmerising the crowd. After a small request from Worrall to move closer the crowd rush to the front of the stage to sway to the bands hypnotic tunes. The hushed atmospherics of their songs flood with rich vitality and deep intricacies that can only be truly adored in the live setting. Utterly majestic and soul fulfilling TOY GIRL were superb.

Post Punk four piece Bullet Girl follow, tearing the venue to shreds with their raucous set and blistering instrumentation. Pulverising drums, crashing guitars and relentless bass hammer and pierce the atmosphere, consuming the audience in the band’s ferocious soundscape and battering punk assault. Aaron Doyle is the ever charismatic frontman as he prances about screaming, wailing and yelping into the mic. The tense sweltering bass and shrilling whines on guitar gash through your skull as Bullet Girl masterfully display their raw savage wall of sound. It’s an acute chaotic set brimming with tracks to set a mosh pit alight and the head banding and bopping from the crowd was a pleasant sight. This band is designed for blood thirsty moshing and utter anarchy. Bullet Girl are a fantastic raw live act. A must see. 

Electronic rock band Synk are up next. These guys bring an intense set to The Button Factory but on a different level to the previous act. The audience are swirled up in a psychedelic prism of rock with light indie facets and mellow glimmers to create a wholly submerging experience. These guys could melt your mind, frazzle the remains and solidify it again all in one rich tune. There are lush warm guitar moments wrapped delicately in laid back sweet melodies and dreamy soundscapes as well as crashing harsh rock moments throughout this bands set. The deeply nourishing melodies create a wholesome atmosphere while the lush harmonies and vibrant keys lift the tracks to ethereal heights. The rhythm throughout each song is mesmerising and pounds through your chest as this band weave between genres to create a sound all of their own. Very professional and proficient Synk’s sound is a bottomless pool of magical depth and the passionate powerful vocals are spine chilling. Synk are an outstanding and refined band that take you into a whole new universe with their sound and in a live setting they are enthralling to watch.

The fourth and final band to take to the stage are disco grunge group Munky. A band of vibrant charismatic characters these guys know how to put on a show. They steamroll through their funky infectious tracks with relentless stamina. With Taylor Maslanka and Sinead McConville on backing vocals and Andrea Louise Jones on saxophone the band were set and ready to create their dance-able setting. Stage presence and swagger-dipped persona’s in tow they jump, dance and wiggle around the stage as their tracks fluctuate from crashing grunge rawness to light disco funk with ease. The crowd dance and execute some very snazzy moves to the bands catchy tunes. Munky always put on a fantastic show. Their set is always vibrant and rich while exuding fun and energy. Bassist Niall Donnelly and guitarist Conor Lawlor have guitar poses down to a tee. The sharp guitar lines and intricate melodies are performed with precision while that hip grooving bass and pummeling drums keeps the crowd dancing. It’s not often there is a band as much fun to watch and listen to but these guys have it all. You will never be disappointed at a Munky live set.

TiLT chose four outstanding bands for their first showcase. There was something for everyone and more. Each band performed their set to a polished and professional standard however there was enough edge to keep them refreshing and interesting to watch. They all put on an exhilarating show. Versatile in their on right and greatly entertaining all four acts showcase the immense talent we have in Ireland. The sound on the night provided by the ninja’s at Sound Training Productions was flawless and of course The Button Factory is one sleek venue so it was sure to be one heck of a night and it was. I’m looking forward to who will play TiLT next month.

Author : Danu

Check Out Some More Images From The Night Below