By Conor O’Neill
Photography by Dawn Morgan
The Limelight is packed. I last saw Dea Matrona here about a year ago, and in spite of constant radio play, tons of press coverage and their four-to-the-flour romper-stomper high-energy tunes off their debut LP For Your Sins, the place was at most two thirds full. Now the duo, Orláith Forsythe and Mollie McGinn, backed by session musicians on drums and an extra guitarist, who by the way are fresh from touring with The Darkness and have graced the Royal Albert Hall, seem almost too big for the Limelight.
And why the hell not? Their debut made waves with anthemic tunes like Red Button, Black Rain and Stamp On It. Another LP tune Stuck On You is their opener and immediately the crowd is engrossed. My one gripe about the debut album is that to my ears its a little too polished. Live? Well, the sound is a different beast. The Growl of the Precision bass, the distorted tone of the Gibson SG all make for an interesting hour and a bit of power pop.
The pair roar their way through the debut LP, though to a reviewer’s chagrin they rarely introduce a song by name, therefore putting a me on the back foot.
*McGinn centre stage with Forsythe stage right*
Their recent touring has sharpened the band, yet the grit of the songs is undeniable. The two moments that lept out at me were the soothing, a;most whispered Glory Glory (I Am Free) and a cover of a cover, namely Nirvana’s Love Buzz, originally written and recorded by Dutch band Shocking Blue. This juxtaposition of songs and delicacy of delivery concerning the former highlight Dea Matrona’s broad palette.
The tone of the night was set by the pair’s enthusiasm to be on stage. Forget about shoe-gazing and concentrate more on rock’s original show-boating. Expect back-to-back guitar antics, one foot on the monitor and all other rock and roll cliches. Only they don’t seem too cliched anymore. Dea Matrona base their songs, look and attitudes belong routed deep in the 1970s.
A great night of rock and roll. I, for one among many, can’t wait for that ‘difficult’ second LP. Going on what I heard on Wednesday night, we’re in for a treat. The next time you see Dea Matrona advertised for such a small venue, snap your tickets up fast. I’d say in a year or two – upcoming album dependent – watching this band in such an intimate venue will be nigh on impossible.
For more on Dea Matrona visit http://www.deamatrona.co.uk
ENDS
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