Rainbow Girls, Marty O'Reilly & Vagaband // NAC 10.07.14

Pavlis 13 July 2014

Stomping at the rainbow, waiting for the next show.

Rainbow Girls, Marty O'Reilly & Vagaband // NAC 10.07.14

I bought tickets for this based on a review that described the Rainbow Girls as the Ronettes meets the Stooges. They are nothing like that, but this was a cracking evening nonetheless.

Vagabond kick things off with some shit kicking country/bluegrass. The Whistling Song breaks the no whistling rule and yet is still great. Thoroughly enjoyable. (9/10)

Marty O'Reillyis a Californian singing guitarist backed up the fiddle and double bass of the Old Soul Orchestra. At times, they sound like the Bad Seeds playing freeform jazz in a country style. However, the trio are good fun when they stick to countrified rock'n'roll. Howlin’ Wolf’s blues classic Smokestack Lightning is turned into a lengthy, enjoyable but exhausting jam. (6/10)

Rainbow Girls provide an awesome fusion of folk, country, rock 'n' roll, music hall and mariachi, all wrapped up in attitude. Gorgeous harmonies and great playing bring to mind an all female Fleet Foxes with humour and a sense of fun. Dark Night Dinner, The Naked Song and Jackie Wants A Black Eye are standouts from a very strong set. Second best gig of year so far. (9.5/10)

Pavlis