HAPPY DAYS FEST BROUGHT TOGETHER THE PERFECT LINEUP
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Before the secret headliner of Happy Days Fest in Belfast was even announced (Esmeralda Road), we already knew this was a gig not to be missed. With a stacked line-up featuring some of our favourite emerging acts, we had high expectations going into the night - and they were definitely met.
THE THING IS…
The room was packed from doors opening, with The Thing Is… kicking things off. The Downpatrick alternative rock band have been on our radar for a few months now, and they opened the night with their punchy track ‘I Would Rather’, which we previously featured in one of our Track Spotlights.
Their set was a mix of released and unreleased material, including their recent track ‘Logic’, which was a particular highlight for us - we’ve been loving this one.
The energy throughout their performance was undeniable, and we have to give a special mention to frontwoman Eva Rowan’s live vocals and stage presence. Having already been highlighted by Vera and Monday’s Child in one of our Artists Recommend Artists posts, we weren’t surprised to see her command the stage so effortlessly.
AVENUE 68
Next up were Avenue 68, and if you’re familiar with our On Record performances, you’ll already know just how much we love this band.
We were lucky enough to have them perform three tracks for us back in April, but this was actually our first time seeing them perform to a live audience - and they did not disappoint.
There’s something about Avenue 68 on stage that is impossible not to get caught up in. They genuinely look like they’re having so much fun performing together, and that energy is infectious. You could feel the crowd getting more and more involved with every song.
Our highlight had to be their unreleased track ‘Records’, which they originally performed for our On Record series. It was so nice to see the song translate to a live crowd, with people already singing along to the chorus despite it not even being released yet.
For their first ever Belfast gig, Avenue 68 certainly made an impression.
SELL EVERYTHING
Sell Everything were our first ever Noise Night headliners, and despite having seen them perform many times now, they’re a band we never seem to get tired of.
We’ve said it time and time again, but no matter how many times you listen to Sell Everything on streaming platforms, they’re a band you need to see live. Their energy and stage presence are something completely unique to them.
Despite still being unreleased, ‘Got to Know’ has become one of our favourite tracks from their set. Jack’s keys are a particular highlight for us on this one, and it’s always a song that the crowd seems to really get behind.
There’s something about watching Sell Everything live that makes their songs feel even bigger and better.
ESMERALDA ROAD
There was a very noticeable buzz throughout the room as the crowd waited for Esmeralda Road to take the stage, particularly given how long the Belfast band have been making their mark across the UK.
Somehow, this was actually our first time seeing Esmeralda Road live which feels almost criminal but we honestly couldn’t have picked a better first gig.
Despite being short, their set may have been one of the best we’ve seen all year. The crowd sang back almost every word, including songs that haven’t even been released yet. Tracks like ‘Mobile Phone’ and ‘Here Honey’ had people singing along despite only being familiar to fans through live performances - and we know there are plenty of people hoping we’ll get official releases of these soon.
Every member of Esmeralda Road brings something completely different to the stage, but they work together seamlessly. Each musician is individually incredibly talented, while collectively they create something that feels completely electric.
It’s difficult to talk about Esmeralda Road’s live performance without mentioning their frontman. Charlie Magill has the kind of stage presence that completely demands your attention. His performances have drawn comparisons to some of indie’s biggest frontmen, but he still remains completely unique.
There’s a real sense that he completely lets go once he’s on stage. The crowd feeds off that energy, and you can see it spreading through the room with every song.
Of course, ‘I Think’ was a huge crowd favourite, but our personal highlight had to be ‘Esmeralda’.
We’re looking forward to catching them live again during their Irish tour this December.
Happy Days Fest managed to bring together a line-up that felt like a perfect snapshot of the talent coming out of North and South Ireland right now. From The Thing Is… kicking off the night, to Avenue 68 bringing their infectious energy, Sell Everything proving once again why they’re so good live, and Esmeralda Road closing out the night in unforgettable fashion, every act brought something different to the room.
For a festival built around celebrating emerging music, it felt like exactly what a night like this should be: packed rooms, unreleased songs already being sung back, and bands genuinely enjoying being on stage.
If this is anything to go by, we’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on what Happy Days Fest does next!
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