ADVERTISEMENT
The sun is bursting through the clouds as JAMIE NEISH raises the curtain on a packed weekend of music. He is joined on stage with an additional guitarist as he stands front and centre with a dark brown worn acoustic. Festival goers are still arriving and settling in at the site which means only the keen have made it to the Main Stage. Jamie is a confident performer who is more than happy to talk and joke with the crowd, which comes as a contrast to his dark and sorrowful set of blues infused acoustic tracks. “Sickness In The Sunshine” and “Bones and Blood” silences the murmurs of those walking past as they take in Jamie’s unique voice. One aspect which stands out is Jamie’s honesty in songwriting and his ability to deliver this feeling live. Would have been interesting to see what a full band would have added his sound. A great opening set.Highlights ➜
“Belly of the Beast” is an excellent track which hasn’t received the recognition it deserves. We highly recommend you give it a listen.
Review ➜ Peter Cinnamond
IN CASE OF FIRE are back having split with their old label and lost two band members the alternative rock group are giving it another go. The band unleashes their honed rock skills on a reasonably sized crowd. With old crowd pleasers like ‘Parallels’ being mixed in with newer songs like ‘Pretender’ and ‘Are You Ready?’Highlights ➜
Seeing the troubled band finally make their re-appearance in the Northern Irish festival scene is a big enough highlight in itself for their fans.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
More people are drawn to the Main Stage as COLLY STRINGS emerge. The Bangor four piece are here to make an impression after their lengthy break as a band and open strong with “To The Water”. However this great start is not continued as the band throw in a few new tracks into the middle of their set, some working, but in all they might need a bit more tweaking to be at the level the band should be aiming for. They finish well with old favourite “Teddy Robinson” as they try to get the crowd going. They seem frustrated with the small crowd but certainly entertained those that came to see them. Colly Strings are a tight young indie rock band that showed they can perform at this level and obviously seem to have the ambition to go far. If they add a few more crowd pleasers to their set they could be onto a winner.Highlights ➜
“The biggest cheer is for the weather!” joked frontman Travis Gilbert. To be fair to the Pigstockers, it was an absolutely lovely day. It made us chuckle.
Review ➜ Peter Cinnamond
By the time I make my way to the Engine Room, it is jam packed with punters looking forward to seeing one of the best acts from NI around.LAFARO are renowned for big performances and today is no different. ‘Tupenny Nudger’ causes chaos with its huge riffs causing the crowd to thrash about in sheer enjoyment. Jonny’s snarly vocals are spot on as usual and the set is that heavy that they manage to blow up part of the PA system. Nevertheless the band plays on though it is noticeable that Jonny’s guitar is not coming across at all. Last song of the night is ‘Chopper’ and boy is it truly epic with the packed tent going absolutely mental.Highlights ➜
Obviously blowing up the PA system is a highlight in itself but the true highlight was seeing the massive mosh pit take shape. Suffice to say it was energetic and brutal and Lafaro loved it!
Review ➜ Robert Brown
MORE THAN CONQUERORS are out to impress tonight and come out with all guns blazing. The sun is still shining in Killinchy as they launch into ‘Oh My Son’ with the crowd singing along to the chorus of ‘I never saw it coming.’ The band’s sound seems a lot heavier tonight and is effective at drawing the crowd’s attention. The guitar riffs on ‘Bear Knuckle Fight’ are meatier and the newer material played tonight is much more likely to get the band noticed across the water.Highlights ➜
After one song a new guitar is required for Kris Platt as he has already broken some strings. Also members of Gascan Ruckus rocking out during the penultimate song.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
The Engine Room had been rocking all day by the time the four boys from Middletown arrive. With a number of enthusiastic fans at the front of the stage GASCAN RUCKUS rattle through an array of their older material to the delight of the moshers. It is a very slick performance from the band who are on a fine run of form after their single launch the previous week. They might have been out of the spotlight for a few months but they brought their A-game to Killinchy, producing one of the best performances of the weekend! They ended the set with their most recent singles “Vitamins” and “Pieces”, leaving the audience infatuated and wanting more. “Pieces” in particular was excellent, it is a riff-tastic, adrenaline pumping sing-along; which has gained a substantial amount of popularity in a very short period of time. On the basis of this performance Gascan Rusckus could push on to do some great things this year. One to watch.Highlights ➜
Seemingly tired from all the moshing and running around the legion of fans at the front attempt a human pyramid. Which prompted “I encourage the continuation of this” from guitarist Decky. It was a fine attempt if we do say so ourselves.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
The Dublin band, JOGGING, make their first appearance at Pigstock as the penultimate band on the Friday night. They have a small crowd and I think this can be attributed to the lack of knowledge of any of their material. Their post hardcore sound is soon pouring from the stage with some epic guitar riffs and angry vocals filling the cooling air. But perhaps 45 minutes was too long for a reasonably unknown band playing pretty much all new songs.Highlights ➜
The band haven’t eaten and only have euros so can’t buy any food so they resort to begging the crowd to throw food at them.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
The Belfast three piece, NOT SQUARES start their set with some low-tempo, funk driven new material which gets the Gem Saloon into a nice groove, but this the calm before the storm. Eventually moving into recent single “Fall Far” the pace begins to build and doesn’t stop. The crowd are loving every minute of it and when the bigger hits start to come there is a real party atmosphere brewing. Electro favourites “Asylum” and “Release the Bees” continue to please as the band tease the crowd with false starts of the big sing-a-longs and breakdowns. No act throughout the whole weekend had an audience in the palm of their hand quite like Not Squares did, a true highlight of the Killincy festival.Highlights ➜
The music did not stop as one song merges into another. However the pay-off at the end of “Release the Bees” had the tent rocking.
Review ➜ Peter Cinnamond
There is a definite sense of excitement and expectation as FIGHTING WITH WIRE take to the stage. Cahir is in fine form cracking jokes with the crowd and the band seem happy to be playing gigs in Northern Ireland in anticipation of the release of their new album after they signed with Xtra Mile Recordings. Tonight they showcase a number of new tracks off the new album including ‘Waiting On A Way To Believe’ and of course ‘Colonel Blood’ which are sounding fantastic. As expected the guys also play their massive hits from their debut album with the epic ‘Everyone Needs A Nemesis’drawing the biggest sing-along of the festival so far. They also throw in ‘Into the Ground’ and ‘Make a Fist’ for good measure.Highlights ➜
Cahir jokes that the new album is called ‘Chinese Democracy’ after all the trouble they have gone to, to try and get it released this is very apt. In the encore the band do a riff-tastic cover of Nirvana’s ‘Breed’ which gets everyone dancing and mini mosh pit breaks out.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
True stalwarts of the local scene RUNAWAYGO are one of the hardest working bands in the province right now. They are a well oiled machine at this point and put on a performance to prove that. There is a chilled out vibe at the Main Stage which the band embrace. Dave gets the crowd involved to sing with them during “Delicate Man” which starts a succession of crowd pleasing tracks such as “Alligator” and “Drowning”. The new songs thrown in go down just a well during a set which will have won over any people who might have been on the fence about the band. We’ve been told that the Belfast five-piece might have a “quiet summer” after this performance so catch them while you can!Highlights ➜
It was a very solid set with “Electric” being a great start. However it is hard to beat “Delicate Man” with Fiona and Dave at their vocal best.
Review ➜ Peter Cinnamond
Not being on the original line up perhaps doesn’t help generate a bigger crowd for the indie rock band, PICTURE THE SOUND from Ballymoney. The five piece are very tight and you can tell they have been gigging for over 10 years. It is quite clear that the band have been influenced by bands such as the Stereophonics and Oasis.Highlights ➜
The band play ‘Big Time Charlie’ a brilliant track, why haven’t these guys been given more airplay?
Review ➜ Robert Brown
As a Richter Collective band there was a certain amount of expectation for SQUAREHEAD. A relative unknown to a majority of the NI crowd it was going to be interesting to see how they were perceived. Unfortunately it seemed as though their placing on the bill would be their biggest downfall. With their laid back beach-rock sound similar to bands such as Howler, their sound didn’t feel distinctive enough to those coming from high engery acts such as Pocket Billiards, LaFaro and Not Squares. Those who hadn’t retreated to their tents for a rest wanted to continue on with the mayhem but Squarehead were not the band to give it to them. We like their album and know they can produce the goods live, however it was just not their night.Highlights ➜
A pick of the tracks was “Axis of Love”. It’s just a shame we couldn’t have sat back earlier in the day and enjoied it in the sun with a cider in hand.
Review ➜ Peter Cinnamond
CHRIS CAMPBELL is a talented singer songwriter who is accompanied by Rachael Boyd on violin. Unfortunately for Chris, the noise from the Engine Room stage drowns out his acoustic set at times but this only encourages the small crowd to move closer to the stage to hear his chilled out vocals. It would be fair to compare Chris to Joshua Radin or more closer to home Gareth Dunlop.Highlights ➜
Whenever there is a break in the Engine Room and we can actually hear how talented Chris actually is.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
The true unknown of the festival. The penultimate slot on the last night is a big one to fill and it was never going to be easy for Kildare producer Jack Colleran (aka MMOTHS), all alone on stage with only his laptop for company. It was a bold move by organisers and shows that Pigstock is ready to broaden it’s scope and take a risk. Did it pay off? Mmoths has a fantastic collection of chilled out electronic tracks, which sounded almost epic through the great festival speakers. However it just didn’t feel like the right kind of vibe for such a late position in the bill. The weather didn’t help his cause either as the temperature dropped and the rain began to fall. As a live spectacle there is improvements to be made, but his skill in sampling and mixing cannot be denied. Would have been interesting to see this act in a more intimate setting.Highlights ➜
Played earlier in the set “Heart” is an exceptionally well crafted piece of music. It drew in the curious and pricked up an ear of all those in shot of the speakers.
Review ➜ Peter Cinnamond
If you just happened to look at the stage while IN ELEGANCE were playing you could be mistaken for thinking Paramore had stopped by for an impromptu performance before Belsonic in August. Fronted by female vocalist Taryn Walker who looks stunning in an all-white dress, the guys play a focused if uneventful set. It is easy to draw comparisons between the band and Paramore and Evanescence with songs like ‘Easier Said Than Done’, ‘Burn Bright, Fade Fast’ and ‘Open Your Eyes’ showcasing their talents.Highlights ➜
Their rocked up version of Lady Antebellum’s ‘Need You Now’ could have fallen flat but turns out to be a real unexpected treat.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
THE RUPTURE DOGS packed out the Engine room and had several different bands come see their set including the likes of Mojo Fury front man Mike. They share a few jokes with the crowd in between energetic performances of their songs which makes a good impression on their fans. Having seen them before however, I personally found some of their set to be a little slow and less energetic than usual. But standout track of the set is definitely ‘Painted on Skin.’Highlights ➜
The sight of band members rolling around the stage shredding the bass proves their commitment to creating awesome rock.
Review ➜ Helena Killen
EATEN BY BEARS are perhaps one of the few unique bands on the NI music circuit. Defining themselves as a math rock band, the guys mix things up with the addition of a violin and some screaming vocals. ‘Duchenne Smile’ and ‘Let’s Build a Spaceship’ gets Pigstock rocking and highlight why there is such excitement about this young band.Highlights ➜
Malkovich which is a more pop oriented song is a great summery track, especially considering the very snazzy shirt worn by a certain band member.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
Fresh from playing their 10th anniversary show, POCKET BILLIARDS were once again in fine form. These Buckfast drinking sons of Belfast certainly had the ground shaking with their epic lyrics and funky ska sound. The unique band, certainly were well received by the crowd with everyone on their feet, jumping and screaming. In my opinion they almost deserved a headline spot or certainly one closer to the end with the energy they had blasting over the crowd. A band not to miss!Highlights ➜
SPIDE is a classic Northern Irish track with almost everyone in the crowd joining in on the typically Norn Irish, ‘Here’s me wha?, Aye yer ma! – You’re only thirteen and you’re already a Da!’
Review ➜ Helena Killen
FARRIERS are probably the best known folk act that Northern Ireland has and by the time they take to the stage they have gathered what is definitely the largest crowd on day 2 of the festival. Their set features songs from ‘Years Ago In Our Backyard’ with particular standouts being ‘Fickle Fold’ and ‘So Long As I Can Stay’ providing the crowds with something to sing and dance along to.Highlights ➜
At one stage near the end of their slot, the crowd down at the front of the stage participate in what can only be described as a hoedown to the music. We did not join in as we were worried about scaring people away.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
The voice behind promoting Northern Ireland as a tourist destination makes her Pigstock debut to an expectant crowd. Shauna (akaSILHOUETTE) and her band get a very warm reception from the crowd however as with any new artist the fact that they know very little of her material is a bit of a stumbling block. The new songs that are introduced seem to go down well and Shauna gives a very energetic performance of songs like ‘Volume Destroyed’ and new single ‘Running Against the Wall’ but in truth there is a long way to go until she and her band are favourites in the Northern Irish festival scene.Highlights ➜
‘Can’t Keep Up’ is rather predictably the highlight of their set with the crowd joining in on what is surely the most recognisable song in Northern Ireland this year.
Review ➜ Helena Killen
One of the more anticipated bands from South of the Border,TIERANNIESAUR’s set probably could not have gone any worse. Firstly the band take an age finishing the sound check which leads to a good number of punters leaving early and then whenever they finally get going their set is interrupted several times due to technical problems. The disco infused pop act sound good whenever they do get playing but they will not have won any fans over this time round.Highlights ➜
Whenever the band actually get playing we are treated to some great pop, probably what the Wonder Villains will sound like in ten years’ time.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
Tonight is an achievement for MOJO FURY as it is the first time they have headlined a festival anywhere and so they are out to give us something special. Confidence is high due to their successful UK tour and they showcase a lot of new material which sounds fantastic. There is even a bit of funk in the new tracks which is definitely a brave new direction. Old classics ‘Bones’ and ‘Colour of the Bear’ sound better live. The now quite heavy rain and wind doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd even as Michael encourages us to ‘Just Run Away’. The guys even throw in a cheeky cover of Nine Inch Nails ‘March of the Pigs’ as a tribute to the organisers of Pigstock Festival itself.Highlights ➜
The pure delight that the band took from their set and the enthusiastic response from the large crowd means they get a bit over excited and start kicking over all of their instruments. Rock ‘n’ roll at its finest; the only thing missing was some crowd surfing…
Review ➜ Robert Brown
After having their set delayed and not having toured in quite a while, KOWALSKI are out to impress and launch proceedings with the extremely summery pop track ‘Outdoors’ which gets people dancing immediately. Their set is unfortunately also hit with technical issues but the band plough on and treat us to some shimmery electro pop goodness.Highlights ➜
Members of the crowd wearing masks of the Royal Family to celebrate the Royal Jubilee boogying to their hearts content.
Review ➜ Robert Brown
Jeremy Hickey (aka RARELY SEEN ABOVE GROUND) graces us with his presence at the Gem Parlour at Pigstock but unfortunately draws a crowd of only ten people. They are definitely the ones missing out as the one man machine hammers out some funky beats on his drum and percussion kit while adding in the odd vocal here and there. We bet there are plenty of bands out there who would love a man of his capabilities sitting behind their drum kits.Highlights ➜
There is one girl at the front who is dancing to herself for the whole set, at least someone was having a blast.
