THE DAVIDS LEAD A STELLAR LINE UP AT THE GIG EVENTS SHOWCASE
We had been looking forward to this show, organised by The Gig Events, since it was announced. Having seen The Davids live before, alongside two strong support acts, we knew we were in for a great night.
All photography by @alyssaduffphotography
ASHGROVE
Ashgrove might have had zero posts in the lead-up to the gig, but they’d already been recommended to us by both The Cornerstones and The Davids themselves - so expectations were quietly high.
It only took one song for us to understand why. Ashgrove carry an almost unspoken confidence on stage, completely at ease in front of the crowd. There’s a real aura about them.
Honestly, we could have listened to the instrumentals alone all night - there was something genuinely captivating about them. That said, the lead vocalist truly sealed it. His voice is incredibly strong, and the use of echo effects added an extra layer that really stood out.
After chatting with some of the band post show, they came across as down to earth and almost unaware of just how good they are.
The last time we were this instantly impressed by a band we didn’t know was when we first saw SELL EVERYTHING live - now one of our favourites and doing great things. With a first impression like that, we can only imagine Ashgrove are on a similar trajectory.
JET BLACK TULIPS
Jet Black Tulips are a band we’ve followed for a while but hadn’t yet seen live. With the recent release of their EP Passion for the Past, we were especially excited to hear some of those tracks.
While we enjoyed the entire set, it noticeably built as it went on - almost as if the band were feeding off the crowd’s energy, gaining momentum with each song.
One standout for us was Say from the new EP, which we previously featured in a track spotlight. It’s the kind of song you find yourself singing along to almost immediately.
Like Ashgrove, their stage presence was excellent. They seemed completely comfortable - not just on stage, but with each other - creating a really natural and engaging group dynamic.
The lead singer, in particular, stood out with a charisma that makes you warm to the band instantly, even beyond the performance itself. Every member brought something special to the set, but we did find ourselves extremely impressed by the talent of the drummer.
After this performance, Jet Black Tulips are firmly on our list of bands we’d go out of our way to see again.
THE DAVIDS
We’re no strangers to The Davids having already caught them live last year supporting Pennys Band, and even including Every Second Counts in our Top 25 of 2025 playlist. After also naming them our April Artist of the Month, it felt overdue to see them again.
While we loved their set last year, they’ve clearly grown in both confidence and stage presence. Combined with a stronger catalogue of releases, this made for an even more engaging performance.
It was especially satisfying hearing newer tracks live now that we’re familiar with them - we found ourselves singing along with ease. While we love their recent release Celestial, we actually gravitated even more towards its B-side, Badger Season, in a live setting.
One thing we’ve really come to appreciate about the band, especially after featuring them, is their authenticity. They’re thoughtful about their music, and that sincerity carries through on stage. Nothing feels forced; each member brings a calm, natural presence that still manages to be compelling.
Visually, we loved the old TV aesthetic they incorporated - several sets on stage displaying static. It’s such a simple idea, but not an obvious one, and it added a unique and memorable backdrop.
At the end of the set, the crowd began chanting for one more song - and we love a truly authentic encore. This one felt especially real, with the band looking at each other almost blankly, admitting they didn’t have another song prepared. After a bit of back and forth, they settled on one - and despite the hesitation, delivered a strong final performance.
The night left us feeling even fonder of The Davids. We’re excited to see what’s next for them and would love to see more Belfast shows as they continue their current momentum. Seeing them live again only confirmed that they’re a band getting better with every performance.
Overall, the night organised by The Gig Events, was a brilliant showcase of the talent currently coming out of the local scene. It was also great to see other bands in the crowd supporting, including members of The Cornerstones and SCHTICK.
We left having discovered a new band we’re confident will go far, and with an even deeper appreciation for two bands already on our radar.