One of Ireland’s best live bands, Director, perform live at Bar Ritz (Mulroy’s Bar ), Castlebar, tomorrow night Saturday September 18 with support coming from Oddsocks Revival and Ka Tet as part of the Finbar Hoban Presents series, Castlebar’s only independent alternative night out. Director show their love for Mayo, which seems to be becoming the band’s second home, by making their second appearance at Bar Ritz this year.
Director have a new EP in the works, due out at the end of the year, and the band promise to be showcasing new material with some old classics in what promises to be a brilliant night of live entertainment, and all for just €8.
Their debut album, We Thrive On Big Cities, which included the hit ‘Reconnect’, brought Director widespread success in Ireland (well over platinum status sales and a chart presence for 28 weeks after debuting at number two in the album charts ). Director played to packed-out venues across Ireland, and commanded large crowds at their Oxegen festival appearances. Accolades were forthcoming as they won Best New Act at the Meteor Awards 2007 while We Thrive On Big Cities picked up a nomination for the Choice Music Prize album of the year.
Meanwhile Director began to pick up a following across the Irish Sea, where a series of support slots for successful British acts like Hard-Fi, Razorlight, and The Fratellis along with numerous festival appearances won them an appreciative audience.
In late 2007 work began on an entirely new set of songs guided by the same exacting standards that had informed their debut. A space was rented over a Dublin pub, and the band threw themselves into a four month-long intensive writing period. Adopting a disciplined song-writing regime, the group often concentrated on a single song for days, moving on only after they were happy that some significant progress had been accomplished. With the band’s recent album I’ll Wait for Sound debuting at number 11 in the Irish charts this will be a show not to be missed.
The second support band of the night hail from Sligo and have recently done a nationwide tour with Alabama 3. Oddsocks Revival consists of Anthony Mannion on guitar and vocals, also responsible for song writing; bass player and vocalist Michael Conefrey; Eoghan O’Kelly on drums and vocals; and Luke Mercer, also on vocals.
They play with the sole purpose of bringing you good time rock and roll, funk, and blues. A striking stage presence and blend of musical styles has given them a solid reputation as a band who will keep the good times rolling. These four talented lads have been playing together since the summer of 2003 and have developed a powerful connection on stage which is evident at every gig.
The first band of the night are originally from Ballyhaunis. Once Ka Tet completed their stimulating, self-produced, four track demo, they turned their attention to live performance. They have gripped audiences throughout the country with their unique brand of explosively energetic underground live shows.
Director play Bar Ritz in what promises to be the gig of the weekend. Doors open at 9pm and the first band take to the stage at 9.15pm. Admission is €8. for more info on upcoming shows at Bar Ritz join Finbar Hoban Presents on Facebook and Twitter.
