Music Blog: Underground Gig Review

By Rachel Moorhead

There’s something quite magical about small gigs. The intimacy, the relaxed atmosphere and the feeling of connecting through music. On the 1 st February that is exactly what happened at The American Bar as Lauren Ann, ANOMALyS and The Scarlet Cavaliers took to the stage for Queens Radio’s Underground event.

“Her delicate but powerful vocal blends so perfectly with the dynamics of the acoustic guitar”

Opening the night was the incredible Lauren Ann. Her stage presence and ability to capture the attention of the entire room was mesmerising as she performed an acoustic stripped-back set. Her delicate but powerful vocal blends so perfectly with the dynamics of the acoustic guitar it’s hard to believe she isn’t an acoustic artist. Even harder to believe was her admitting it was her first acoustic set, without knowing her electric alt indie style prior to the gig you would have no idea that this performance wasn’t the norm. A clear crowd favourite was ‘NEED’, which Lauren Ann also describes as a favourite on her set. The Underground crowd was treated to a preview of the track prior to its Valentines Day release. Lauren Ann describes the song as “a different sound and the record is heavier but tonight we’ve kind of turned it into this slower acoustic thing and I’m very excited about that!” The versatility in Lauren Ann’s voice and performance is testament to her astonishing talent and she is undoubtedly one to watch in 2024.

“The indie rock riffs and electronic sounds combined with the drumbeat of this track instantly transport you to that euphoric festival feeling ”

ANOMALyS (no typo there!) were next to perform to the eager crowd. The atmosphere was electric, and you could tell everyone in attendance was there for their love of music and keen to find their new local favs and the ANOMALyS were certainly ready to accept that title. A track that really stood out to me was ‘Messiah’, which is actually the first song the band wrote together. The indie rock riffs and electronic sounds combined with the drumbeat of this track instantly transport you to that euphoric festival feeling and it seems this song is destined to be heard on a festival main stage.

“They are a band with impeccable stage presence and their enjoyment of performing transmits to the audience.”

Last but certainly by no means least were The Scarlet Cavaliers who owned the stage with their catchy lyrics and soft indie sound. They are a band with impeccable stage presence and their enjoyment of performing transmits to the audience. Tracks like ‘Way Back Round’ and ‘Yeah So Anyway’ perfectly encapsulate the charm, catchy beats and lyrics we all know and love of the indie genre.

A sold-out gig with three incredible local artists, if you weren’t a listener before Underground you certainly left as a fan. The American Bar provided the perfect atmosphere to showcase the talent in Belfast and the surrounding area. With such stage presence and confidence in their performances you want to start listening to Lauren Ann, ANOMALyS and The Scarlet Cavaliers now and say you were there before they got big because undoubtedly the future holds great things for these three.

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

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Opening the night was the incredible Lauren Ann. Her stage presence and ability to capture the attention of the entire room was mesmerising as she performed an acoustic stripped-back set. Her delicate but powerful vocal blends so perfectly with the dynamics of the acoustic guitar it’s hard to believe she isn’t an acoustic artist. Even harder to believe was her admitting it was her first acoustic set, without knowing her electric alt indie style prior to the gig you would have no idea that this performance wasn’t the norm. A clear crowd favourite was ‘NEED’, which Lauren Ann also describes as a favourite on her set. The Underground crowd was treated to a preview of the track prior to its Valentines Day release. Lauren Ann describes the song as “a different sound and the record is heavier but tonight we’ve kind of turned it into this slower acoustic thing and I’m very excited about that!” The versatility in Lauren Ann’s voice and performance is testament to her astonishing talent and she is undoubtedly one to watch in 2024.

ANOMALyS (no typo there!) were next to perform to the eager crowd. The atmosphere was electric, and you could tell everyone in attendance was there for their love of music and keen to find their new local favs and the ANOMALyS were certainly ready to accept that title. A track that really stood out to me was ‘Messiah’, which is actually the first song the band wrote together. The indie rock riffs and electronic sounds combined with the drumbeat of this track instantly transport you to that euphoric festival feeling and it seems this song is destined to be heard on a festival main stage.

Last but certainly by no means least were The Scarlet Cavaliers who owned the stage with their catchy lyrics and soft indie sound. They are a band with impeccable stage presence and their enjoyment of performing transmits to the audience. Tracks like ‘Way Back Round’ and ‘Yeah So Anyway’ perfectly encapsulate the charm, catchy beats and lyrics we all know and love of the indie genre.

A sold-out gig with three incredible local artists, if you weren’t a listener before Underground you certainly left as a fan. The American Bar provided the perfect atmosphere to showcase the talent in Belfast and the surrounding area. With such stage presence and confidence in their performances you want to start listening to Lauren Ann, ANOMALyS and The Scarlet Cavaliers now and say you were there before they got big because undoubtedly the future holds great things for these three.