Upstairs at Whelan’s provided the perfect intimate setting on the 24 th of April for a night of raw energy and exciting new music, headlined by Belfast’s Makeshift Art Bar, with support from Irish-German grunge outfit Gag Reflex.
Gag Reflex opened the night and immediately set the tone, warming up the compact venue with a confident, gritty set full of distortioned guitars and strong stage presence. As it was my first time seeing the band live, I came away genuinely impressed. Their grunge sound felt both familiar and fresh, and they carried themselves with the confidence of a band that knows exactly where they are headed. They are definitely ones to watch.
The main act, Makeshift Art Bar, proved exactly why they have been described as a “Frankenstein’s monster” of post-punk, grunge, and electronic influences. Their sound was chaotic in the best possible way, dark, sharp, and full of atmosphere, with each song pulling the crowd further into their world. Like Gag Reflex, they feel like a band on the rise.
Lead singer Joseph Sweeney was impossible to ignore, looking like a young Sid Vicious while at times channeling the movement and commanding stage presence of Iggy Pop. His performance alone made the band a must-see act, bringing an unpredictable energy that elevated the entire set.
It was my first time seeing both bands, and I’m glad I’ll get to see Makeshift Art Bar again very soon when they open for Just Mustard at Dublin’s 3Olympia on 1 May.
Gag Reflex photos:
Makeshift Art Bar photos:
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic