Words: Gareth O’Malley

Things got off to a bit of a shaky start, it has to be said, though through no fault of the aptly-named The Brilliant Things, who record as a two-piece. Having already impressed when I caught them supporting The Blizzards back in April, even myriad technical problems couldn’t put them off. Lead vocalist Marie Junior was in fine form. So too was the touring drummer, whose performance on set-closer and recent single ‘Rise’ was nothing short of spectacular. With an album (’Stronger Than Romeo’) due early next year, there seem to be big things ahead for the group.

Following their superb performance on the Live Stage at The Music Show, at the beginning of October, the grapevine in the international music industry has been humming about The Brilliant Things.

Their live video of ‘Rise’, made at The Music Show has already been nominated for an IMTV Award, where it will compete with And So I Watch You From Afar’s ‘Set Guitars To Kill’, Ladydoill’s ‘Button’ and Lisa Hannigan’s ‘Lille’ and ‘I Don’t Know’.

The video is a YouTube hit, with 10,000 plays in less than a week – a remarkable number for a previously unheralded outfit.

“Their performance at The Music Show was a revelation,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes says. “They put in a storming appearance, but the bottom line is that they have the musicianship and they have the tunes. Their sound is really contemporary and of the moment, but there is a classic pop sensibility at play too. They’re the kind of band that could have a string of hits, very quickly.”

Hot Press understands that the word is out in radio in the UK about the band, with ‘Rise’ being hailed by programmers as a perfect debut single and a likely radio hit.

No wonder the race to sign the band is beginning to gather momentum.

Marie Junior & Greg French of The Brilliant Things at Hot Press presents Absolut Rock at the Sugar Club, Dublin

Copyright: Graham Keogh/hotpress.com

“Their performance at The Music Show was a revelation,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes says. “They put in a storming appearance, but the bottom line is that they have the musicianship and they have the tunes. Their sound is really contemporary and of the moment, but there is a classic pop sensibility at play too. They’re the kind of band that could have a string of hits, very quickly.”

We’re delighted that people are enjoying our music, thanks again for all the support and we can’t wait to play a gig for you again soon!

From Hotpress magazine:

“The Brilliant Things played to a thronged arena and went down a storm, with Marie Junior giving it loads upfront and co-conspirator Greg French more than looking the part in eyeliner and natty threads. If the ecstatic crowd reaction is anything to go by, electro pop is back in Ireland, especially when it’s delivered with this kind of energy and musical smarts! The Brilliant Things are looking like the real thing!”

The Irish culture website, culch.ie, has two reviews, one by Eoin and one by Darragh.

… the band took to the stage with as much energy as I have ever seen them (or any other band, for that matter), display, blasting through their twenty minute set.

Since first coming across them opening the Oxegen Festival on the Main Stage with the Artane Band this summer, their music has really struck a chord. Their upbeat tunes are a perfect mix of sweet well-pitched vocals from Marie Jr. and just-so lyrics from Greg French.

Hotpress

You can see more pictures take by Hotpress here.

Fans

You can see more pictures taken by Jamie Mullen here.

You can see more pictures taken by Eoin Pluinceid here.

We’ve also been featured on the Hotpress website! You can read the article here.

To celebrate we’ve made playlists of all the best of Irish music that will be on show at the event, including Republic of Loose, Imelda May, Sharon Corr, Figth Like Apes and – of course – us!

If you’re coming along it should give you a good taste for what to expect on the day:

Luckily for us there were some great photographers in the crowd too! Here are some of the excellent pics they took:

Supporting Carolina Liar

Photos by Meagan Hyland.

The Academy2

Photos by Kieran Frost

more from Kieran.

Photos from Mick Arnold.

more from Mick