San Sebastian
King Tuts
San Sebastian have got a magnetism that is hard to ignore. Closing the second night of T Break, their alluring and ambient sound was a refreshing alternative to the raucous bands that had come before them.
Lead vocalist Niall Gahagan’s whispery vocals and moody aura draw you in like an almost supernatural force. “La Beat Humaine” vividly captures the unconscious by combining a wall of distorted sound with harmonic interludes, which then catapults fiercely into a breathtaking rush of guitar riffs, adding a fascinating dimension to the track. The truly spellbinding “This is Modern” also stands out, with its triple vocals replicating melancholic lyrics above mesmerising drum beats.
Bass player Mark Stansfield has a particularly captivating quality, enticing the audience with his seductive scowl whilst also providing a cool dynamic by way of some sensual arpeggic lines. The only flaw I can really identify is a slight lack of charisma, which may prove problematic when they try to capture wider audiences. The band could also do with cutting the length of some of their songs, as some tracks start promisingly but get lost en route, leaving the crowd wanting something more. But make no mistake, San Sebastian have a unique essence and style that is hard to come by these days.
> Andrea O'Neill
San Sebastian have got a magnetism that is hard to ignore. Closing the second night of T Break, their alluring and ambient sound was a refreshing alternative to the raucous bands that had come before them.
Lead vocalist Niall Gahagan’s whispery vocals and moody aura draw you in like an almost supernatural force. “La Beat Humaine” vividly captures the unconscious by combining a wall of distorted sound with harmonic interludes, which then catapults fiercely into a breathtaking rush of guitar riffs, adding a fascinating dimension to the track. The truly spellbinding “This is Modern” also stands out, with its triple vocals replicating melancholic lyrics above mesmerising drum beats.
Bass player Mark Stansfield has a particularly captivating quality, enticing the audience with his seductive scowl whilst also providing a cool dynamic by way of some sensual arpeggic lines. The only flaw I can really identify is a slight lack of charisma, which may prove problematic when they try to capture wider audiences. The band could also do with cutting the length of some of their songs, as some tracks start promisingly but get lost en route, leaving the crowd wanting something more. But make no mistake, San Sebastian have a unique essence and style that is hard to come by these days.
> Andrea O'Neill
