21/12/2008 Cherry Brakewells @ The Dublin Castle

Subject	Cherry Brakewells @ The Dublin Castle
PostedDate	12/21/2008
	It's a slightly odd night at the Dublin Castle as it's a 'Rock 'n' Roll Cabaret' event - 6 bands and various burlesque acts. As usual at this venue it's excellent value for money, in fact even better than normal. One of the acts consists of two burlesque dancers either side of the stage and a bloke playing guitar along to a laptop full of samples. The kid leaps about a bit with his guitar, but you start wondering if he's actually playing anything live at all?  I stop caring after a while and head back to the front bar for some more of that lethal Westons scrumpy. Actually, after a few pints of that I won't really care about anything.  Some more conventional entertainment is provided by indie band the Stayaways, who have noticably improved since I last saw them at this venue. The Cherry Brakewells turn in another fine performance. I'm pleased to notice that 'Cover Me' is back in their set after being conspicuous by it's absence in Whetstone a few days ago.  The band turn a lot of heads as they strut and prowl the stage as if they own it. I suspect most of those present have never heard of these girls before, but their brand of funked up rock and soul certainly wins them quite a few more friends tonight. I think this band really has the potential to go a long way - they just seem to knock people out wherever they go.  I was hoping to be able to check out headliners Joanna & The Wolf as they sound quite interesting, but they were going to go on stupidly late for a Sunday when the tube stops running earlier so I had to miss them.  I get fed up of having to get two night buses to get home from Camden - particularly in the middle of winter when two potentially long waits at bus stops is a less than attractive prospect.