The Virginmarys  Live at The Bodega, Nottingham

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November 4

 

Two hearts beating as one tonight, The Virginmarys are pure of name, dirty of riff, focused and forceful of performance. The ferocity of feeling, whether love (‘My Nettle’), hate (‘Lies, Lies, Lies’), desperation (‘Into Dust’), bloody good rock and roll (‘There Ain’t No Future’) or all of the above (‘Dance To The City’) fires straight from Ally Dickaty’s (guitar/vox) soul and into the crowd’s. All evening Ally’s vocals kiss the softer elements of songs and kill the edgy, impassioned parts. Danny Dolan’s thunderous drumming hammers the point home even harder. Mild mannered, Madeira cake loving Danny is merciless behind his kit. Just when the crowd get lost in the complexities of his playing the power hits again and the energy shared between musician and fans becomes palpable.

Every song on brand new album ‘The House Beyond The Fires’ (touchingly dedicated to the memory of Danny’s dad Tommy) is played tonight which says more than yer girl ever could about the quality of this record. So much strength and such skill in the delivery of each track means they can all carry live. That’s astounding. It’s proper headline act stuff.

Gut-wrenching ‘White Knuckle Riding’ still stings live, but with the love in the venue – the support and solace directed to the duo from the crowd - tonight the lonely, unlovable emotions in the lyrics don’t hurt so bad.

Midway through the set, the reaction to 100,000 plus streams ‘Where Are You Now?’ is like a cork popping from a Champagne bottle. Excitement bubbles over into a singalong, and The Virginmarys’ party is well and truly underway. ‘Look Out For My Brother’ is welcomed in similar style. The majority of heads turn to face stage left to watch one of nature’s greatest sights – Danny pretty much punching his cymbals.

Throughout the gig Danny rarely takes his eyes off Ally. But the calm before the storm – the delicate intro setting the scene for the emotive crescendo of ‘Urban Seagull’ -  sees the duo in their own individual worlds. Intricately playing their instruments. Separated on stage. Yet completely in sync. Musically and spiritually. It’s striking. Visually and aurally.  

Closing with favourite ‘Bang Bang Bang’, The Bodega explodes with applause. Danny and Ally hug. But no one’s ready to leave. It seems nobody wants to swap the intimate truths of Ally’s lyrics for the harsh reality of the outside world. Tonight the Bodega has been a safe space. Full of love, fans like family, and two boys who are beautiful inside and out, and who deserve massive success.

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Review by Jo Wright