“Low lie the Fields of Athenry. Where once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was on the wing. We had dreams and songs to sing. Its so lonely round the Fields of Athenry”. (The Fields of Athenry)

A double bill to grace any night but as this was a special night it made it even more spectacular. St Patricks day is always a good excuse to drink, sing and dance. So when these two local heavy weights got together to play it was bound to be a night to remember. The good people of Middlesbrough obviously felt likewise as they came out in their droves to support these two.

CATTLE & CANE
First up was one of our favourite bands, Thornabys finest Cattle & Cane. Now if you remember I was not too impressed by their Christmas show but all that is forgotten as they swan onto stage and begin to woo the crowd. Familiar tunes mixed with brand new ones but the standard never drops. The crowd begin slowly to appreciate the lush voices of Joe and Helen. The sparkling tunes and excellent musicianship draw the large crowd in and refuse to let them go. Sold my Soul and The Poacher are again hightlights but almost every track is superb. The new songs sounding even better than the old, if that is possible. I think I have run out of superlatives to describe Cattle & Cane. Their album should be out this year and the world will finally get to know their name.

WILDCATS OF KILKENNY

Now I have seen these raggle taggle bunch before and thoroughly enjoyable they were too. Doing a full version of Rum, Sodomy and the Lash at the Empire on Music Live day in Middlesbrough about 18 months ago. A mixture of great tunes in a great venue, The Empire, made them a band I was looking forward to seeing again. Tonight I was not disappointed. Tunes of their own, covers of classic Irish folk songs and a few “hit song covers” thrown in as well. Their infectious enthusiasm and the fact the crowd are determined to enjoy themselves creates a great atmosphere and in turn, a great gig. The Fields of Athenry, The Wild Rover, Dirty Old Town and Im a believer to name but four. They play for well over an hour but the crowd never tires of them. A great night out if ever you fancy one.

A big thanks to the two bands and to Ciara at Tees Music Alliance. Some great things coming up in the next few months including the real Pogues at Stockton Festival in August. More details to follow soon.

LINKS

TOWN HALL
http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/what-s-on/what-s-on-arts-and-entertainment/town-hall-whats-on/
WILDCATS OF KILKENNY
http://mikemcgrother.com/wildcats-of-kilkenny.html

CATTLE & CANE http://cattleandcane.co.uk/

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By peter on March 29, 2012