State in conjunction with our friends in the North, AU kicked off the first of what we hope to be many excellent cross-border lineups on Friday night. Kicking things off in The Purty Loft in Monkstown was Conor O’ Brien playing a solo show under his Villagers moniker. Not one to let himself be deterred by being on stage on his lonesome, he treated the crowd to some recently written material with the kind of talent that few can match right now.

Conor was followed by a short set from local boy Hamlett Sweeney before Belfast’s And So I Watch You From Afar confirmed the North / South idea was a good one. The boys shredded the place to bits. Seriously captivating stuff. We can’t wait to see them again. After that, it was left to Alphastates to bring the night towards midnight with a slew of new tunes from their just released and long-awaited Human Nature album.

We’re looking forward to next Friday’s lineup of Escape Act, The Rags and John Shelly and the Creatures.

Villagers – To Be Counted Amongst Men

ASIWYFA – A Little Bit of Solidarity goes a long way

Photos by James Goulden.