Little x's For Eyes, Whelan's, Dublin
- Written by Marky Edison
Photos: Dom Marceleno
Little x’s For Eyes are here tonight to launch their second album, Everywhere Else. Skelocrats’ Paddy Hanna opens the evening with an acoustic set but the room only really fills up in advance of Little x’s set.
The main venue of Whelan’s is filled to near capacity and the mood is genial as we wait for Little x’s For Eyes to come on stage. They emerge one by one to whistles and cheers from the audience and ease into ‘Disko Bay’, the languid closing track from the new album. Most of the crowd are already familiar with the new material and are moving from the moment Bennie Reilly’s guitar begins to chime.
The album itself is reminiscent of The Cure at their creative peak but with a lighter, more upbeat outlook; Robert Smith on happy pills. The Cure influence is more pronounced live with the two guitars laying melodies over the driving rhythms. But Little x’s cut through expectations of where the music is going to go, with the band exploding into a tight groove in unison.
The six members of the group play with a unity of purpose. They project an easy-going, natural charm and appear effortless in their play. The atmosphere they create fills the room and makes it dance. At several points during the set, Little x’s give the impression of jamming, but are clearly just highly rehearsed and enjoying playing together.
The band line up on stage with the four vocalists (and guest vocalist, Lucy) to the front of stage and the rhythm section of Ed Costello and Harry Bookless propelling them along from behind. Bass player Harry has a particular style of play that brings New Order’s Peter Hook to mind. When his strap breaks mid-song, he drops to his knees balancing the bass on his legs, looking like he’s playing in an Iron Maiden tribute band. The crowd cheer him on through an instrumental section and Bennie, Davey and Lucy join him on the floor; Lucy shredding along on air-guitar.
Everywhere Else is a big step forward from debut album S.A.D. Even so, the older material played this evening sits comfortably with the mass of new tunes. ‘In Glue’ stands out among them and the reception from the heaving mass of bodies on the dance floor indicates that it will continue to be part of the set for some time.
Little x’s unashamedly describe themselves as pop, and rightly so. It would be unfair to undercut the sheer pop flair on show here tonight. To call them indie-pop or any such subgenre would sell the band short. They have that rare quality, particularly in a live environment, that will appeal to your mum as much as your hippest friends. This group would win over all but the most cynical.
The show ends with latest single ‘Logical Love’. Harry jumps into the crowd and dances with the fans while playing, a massive smile on his face. As the song ends the band are visibly moved by the occasion and take a moment to savour it. Bennie and Davey share a kiss and the lights go up.
Little x’s For Eyes display absolute mastery of their craft onstage and there can be no doubt that playing live music is what they want to do and what they were made to do. Festival season is upon us and they will be appearing at a few. If you are going to any of them this summer then bump Little x’s For Eyes up to your must-see list. They will make your day.