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It's an early start at the Spring and Airbrake tonight, but this hasn't put the crowd off. It's a sea of local music faces and we spot guys from A Plastic Rose, Annapurna and Kasper Rosa in the crowd to name but a few and it's great to see that the Belfast scene continues to show the solidarity its famed for.

The reason the crowd have ventured out early this evening is to see opening act Eatenbybears. The band are an unusual sight onstage, Olan Stephens wielding a warlock guitar which would look more at home at a Slayer gig, coupled to a violin slicing apart guitar riffs. EatenbyBears are a band of few words on stage, bordering on instrumental in a lot of songs, however what they offer is truly unique and the fact that the crowd are singing along during the chorus in 'Vanderhoof' shows Belfast has already embraced them.

Next up are Leicester lads Maybeshewill. Opening their set with the epic sounding 'Take this to the Heart' they have the crowd enthralled while barely saying two words. Maybe they're shy, but we Belfast folk like a bit of banter, and a bit of chat wouldn't go amiss. Guitarist John Helps has the set list inscribed in red ink on his arm, but this offers no spoilers however, as he moves so fast on stage you don't get the chance to read it.

Its an album that's been we've all been waiting a while for, so when Mojo Fury take to the stage the crowd is already pretty much in a frenzy. Dreadlocked hippies, metallers in band tees and eyeliner clad goth chicks all mosh together around a guy in a pig mask doing the strangest dance we've ever seen. This is the tone for the set, and Mojo Fury as a whole really - surreal but in the best way possible. The band are genuinely thrilled with the reaction, frontman Mike Mormecha thanking the crowd several times. He even dedicates 'Lemon Marine' to all their mums who are in the audience, Mike's mum herself rocking out next to us at the front of the crowd. Set closer 'Deep Fish (Factory Setting)' has a grungy feel that will please fans of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, whilst the disco edged backing track of 'We Should Just Run Away' keeps the indie kids on their toes.

They've been together seven years now, so for this to be their first album may come as a bit of a shock, but if tonight's performance is anything to go by then 'Visiting Hours of a Travelling Circus' has definitely been worth the wait.


Carrie Davenport