Review & Photography by Paul Verner for MPM
Its been nine years since NEEDTOBREATHE last played in Belfast, and that was in the now demolished old Mandela Hall. This time, the show was scheduled to take place in the Limelight, but due to the high demand for tickets it was quickly upgraded to the rather more salubrious surroundings of the Ulster Hall.
Opening tonight, Northern Ireland’s own Foy Vance. Taking his place behind a set of keys he began with a slowed down version of ‘Closed Hand Full of Friends’, the opening track from his 2013 album Joy of Nothing.
With some of the audience clearly surprised that Foy was also on the bill, he wasn’t long in taking the opportunity in explaining that both he and NEEDTOBREATHE share management, and joked that if he didn’t get on the bill for this particular show, then there could be consequences.
Other set highlights included ‘Sapling’, ‘She Burns’, ‘Coco’, and a well received cover old an old gospel hymn ‘One Day At A Time’, of course delivered in Mt Vance’s own unique style. The short set finished out with crowd favourite ‘Guiding Light’.
After a short stage reset and some intro music, the band is led onto stage by Josh Lovelace (keys, mandolin, harmonica) and Randall Harris (drums, percussion), setting the tone with the drums and hammond organ playing opening bars of ‘Great Night’.
The rest of the band followed, with lead singer and guitarist Bear Rinehart coming out last to cheers from the now packed hall. They followed up quickly with ‘State I’m In’ and ‘Don’t Bring That Trouble’ which was a blistering opening for any set.
The crowd are already in full voice signing along, plenty clapping and having a bit of a boogie where space on the floor permitted.
With a slight change of pace they continue with the acoustic led ‘Banks’ and ‘Riding High’, the latter of which demonstrating the range of vocal harmonies available in the current line-up.
With ‘Wasting Time’, Lovelace showcases his enviable skill as a harmonica player and this belter of a tune is reminiscent of the early Black Crowes sound, but with way more energy. This was also the first track of the evening from the quintet’s latest album CAVES.
Foy Vance makes an appearance for ‘Temporary Tears’ which he co-wrote with the band. There is something to be said for the quality of the melody coming from Tyler Burkham’s guitar. Amazing what can be done with a Telecaster, a Vox AC30, some drive, a little bit of attitude and a whole lot of skill.
Rinehart is also no slouch on the guitar, his preferred ES335 sounding immense playing slide and pulling solo duties where the songs required. Also demonstrating his confidence as a lead man by going it alone on acoustic as per the opening of ‘Washed by the Water’. The rest of the band join in later as the song reaches it’s crescendo.
The band close out the main set with ‘Outsiders’, on which Burkham switches to a banjo to carry the rhythm of the song and by the end the audience were shouting in unison ‘We are the Outsiders’, As the lights go down those in attendance were clearly not satisfied and made in known with obligatory chants of “Ole, Ole, Ole!” ringing around the old hall accompanied by plenty of foot stomping and clapping.
Thankfully it was only a couple of minutes until the band reappeared with Lovelace treating the crowd to some tremendous rock’n’roll-blues piano licks, before the starting into their 2015 single ‘Brother’.
Before closing, as it was the last night of this particular leg of the current tour Bear rightfully took some time to thank the road crew who had travelled with them across the Atlantic for their UK and European dates.
And with that they finished with ‘West Texas Wind’. The band lined themselves up along the front of the stage – Eagles style. As they played the final song of the evening, there was a beautiful few seconds when they silenced the instruments and stepped over their floor monitors, the audience was virtually silent and they closed out the song alcapella, singing in unison with the crowd. A truly spectacular moment.
This was way more of a rock’n’roll show than this reviewer remembers seeing the last time NEEDTOBREATHE visited this island. They always had great songs, but the stagecraft, musicianship and vocals all seemed on another level this time around.
Maybe the band were on a high, as it was the end of the tour, or maybe they are just in a place where they were clearly enjoying what they’re doing. Whatever it was, it translated extremely well with the audience who were more than delighted to welcome them. Not only that they embraced an appreciated the songs and musicianship like an old friend. Lets hope they don’t have to wait as long before NEEDTOBREATHE come back again.
The band return stateside and are set to play on 29th September in Franklin, Tennessee, then on to Ocean City, Maryland, followed bt a number of dates in Canada. For further touring information please see their official website.
Set List
- Great Night
- State I’m In
- Don’t Bring That Trouble
- Banks
- Riding High
- Wasting Time
- Hideaway
- Something Beautiful
- Testify
- Wasteland
- Temporary Tears (feat. Foy Vance)
- Washed By The Water
- Lay ‘Em Down
- Girl Named Tennessee
- You Wreck Me (Tom Petty cover)
- Who Am I
- Outsiders
Encore
- Brother
- West Texas Wind
