Words: Newt Albiston Photography: Colin Lievens

A Monday night showcase of Irish alternative music hadn’t been on the cards when I’d woken up that morning, but someone needed to fill Eerie’s boots, so I travelled up from West Sussex to Islington, accompanied by my live-in photographer (also known as my partner, Colin), ready to be impressed. The people of Ireland are pretty good at music, so I assumed I was in safe hands with the three-act roster that The Lexington had put on in partnership with Communion One. I was correct. Each act was distinctive, tight, and packed full of character. One of the bar staff had an Irish football shirt on, and there were two lads outside, rolling cigarettes and talking about The Cranberries during one of the intervals. Which part of London is Little Dublin? Was I presently there?

No matter. Let’s get to the bands;

Monday’s Child are a cohesive and robust three piece that hail from Belfast, kicking down the doors of the night with a collection of grunge tunes via the mode of Jeff Buckley’s most melodic compositions. Living in the world of alternative rock, they portrayed a wonderful symmetry as they stormed through a series of songs that detail the forlorn nature of muddling through your early 20’s and the relationships that ring true throughout those pivotal years. Somewhat of a goth girl group (this is to be read as a compliment), Monday’s Child’s lead vocalist has a soaring, buoyant voice, snaking through the crowd, and that voice was only elevated by the tight and delicious harmonies provided by the rest of the band. Finding out that they were sisters upon researching them the day after the gig pushed all of the puzzle pieces together. An emo-tinged treat, they were as tight as any veteran band, and performed with immense authority.

Maicín followed, a Cork band with the lyrical irreverence of Pavement and the lager soaked sonic palette of Jamie T. With torn up vocals, wit coming out of their eyeballs, and a kick ass sort of attitude that reminded me of the optimistic promise of early 2000’s indie rock, Maicín impressed me with just how much of a brilliant time they were having. Quirky to the marrow, the tunes are massive and sing-along-esque, balancing irony and melancholy in a way that feels pretty Irish and deeply charming. They were popular with the crowd, garnering plenty of cheers from some folks at the front, but no cheers were to be had for the lead singer’s terrible Bruce Springsteen impression towards the end of their set. Certainly not from me.

Delivery Service were the headlining band, having flown in from Dublin for some UK shows. Another band with harmonic excellence, I’ve been trying to think of a succinct and evocative way to describe their performance style. You know the band from Freaky Friday? Lindsay Lohan’s femme pop-punk deal? That’s Delivery Service. They perform on a gorgeous sort of marionette, like a trio of haunted dollies who have been summoned to play some excellent tunes for you. Think The Breeders, or L7, but a little more subdued, a little hypnotic, and deeply magnetic. Similar to Monday’s Child, they play like veterans, connected in their performance and wonderfully tuned into one another. I was specifically impressed by the band member playing guitar and synth at the same time, but I can barely walk and send a text at the same time without tripping over, so that was always going to impress me. Each member has a moment to shine vocally, and they used their 40 minutes to showcase a dizzying number of skills.

So yeah, Ireland continues to be a place that catapults excellent musicians across the world, and we were lucky enough to see three accomplished bands in one night, each act holding a strong identity. Ceol Nua is a relatively new and regular Irish Music night, and it’s worth a visit if you’re in town. The Lexington is a historic venue with expensive booze, and it made a great setting for this particular gaggle of acts. Maybe get a bit drunk somewhere else first, though.

Stay up to date with Communion One and The Lexington for future Ceol Nua nights and other exciting live shows, and follow each band’s individual instagram accounts to see where you can catch them playing next: Monday’s Child, Maicín and Delivery Service.

Ceol Nua at The Lexington