Wyvern Lingo: Live Review & Video Exclusive

Having been once, more noticed as Hozier’s backing singers, Wyvern Lingo, who are also label mates and County Wicklow residents, have seen firsthand how their friend Andrew Hozier-Byrne has rapidly managed to propel himself to the forefront of mainstream music, and as the crowds got bigger, so did the desire for Wyvern Lingo to give it a go themselves. At the Glasgow Barrowlands, the trio from Bray, Ireland threw down a marker and started to mark out where they were going. 

Since stepping out from behind the shadows, Wyvern Lingo released The Widow Knows E.P and what we got to hear was a band representing music to its core by seamlessly blending different styles and genres into something all their own. Set opener ‘Sweet Life Ruiner’ kicked the night off as mellow jam music that blends everything from funk to smoky champagne jazz which bubbles below the surface.

At times Saoirsha Duane's Gibson guitar meddles in Incubus’ more funkier elements before walking bass notes take us closer to Frank Zappa’s door but without ever knocking. The pop melodies and precise harmonies which got them the spot as Hozier’s once backing band bring the track together.

Caoimhe Barry (Percussion/Vocals) was the first to take centre stage as lead vocal duties work on rotation from start to finish. The second track of the night, ‘The Widow Knows’, see the trio take a verse each and possibly the only glitch of the night was that Sirsh’s microphone could have been up a notch as at times it fell below the music.

Following on, as The Widow Knows E.P does, is one of their most outstanding tracks ‘Fairytale’. A haunting, hypnotising piano arrangement and vocal harmonies led by Karen Cowley (Keys/Synth's/Vocals) create a slow rhythm and blues feel packed with soul. Karen also featured on a duet with Hozier on his excellent album track ‘In a Week’. Tonight, however, we got a taste of things to come in the future.

Brand new song ‘Run’ and forthcoming Letters E.P track ‘Letter to Willow’ was met well by a growing crowd who were hush during the performance, but showed huge appreciation between tracks and at the end of their set. The omission of their well sought after acapella track ‘Used’ is a sign that the girls are now going in high gear and in one direction.

WL already have quite an extensive catalogue of songs and although their main style is encompassed around a crossover of R&B and pop, their willingness to dabble in more old school styles of music does bring Jeff Buckley to the fore as their main influence.

Now fresh from their Hozier UK support tour, Wyvern Lingo are travelling back home in preparation for their headlining show at Whelans in Dublin. With few remaining tickets available, we have an exclusive live video released today of ‘Letter to Willow’ to see why you should be there. Check it out below, you just gotta love the cowbell!

Images from the show are also available here.