GIG REVIEW: Harmony Festival 2019 rocks with FEEDER, FUN LOVIN CRIMINALS & DEA MATRONA

Harmony Festival returned this year again with another stellar Line-up , Locally Funded and run by volunteers it will never disappoint , if you are looking for a friendly welcome good entertainment and food and drink this is the place to be.

Saturdays Line-up had me interested with Local act DEA MATRONA, from the USA FUN LOVIN CRIMINALS and all the way from Wales the mighty FEEDER.

 

Up first hailing from Belfast Dea Matrona, A band that formed just a year ago, this is a band that have confidence and are musically talented , they have a style that consists of Rock and Blues with a bit of pop and this was evident today, playing music by Black Sabbath and Fleetwood Mac and Rock Royalty Led Zeppelin and obviously showcasing their own material, This is a band for the big stage and someone to look out for, They finish with their own song just wanna rock and by god they did, what an opener for Saturday evening at Harmony Festival .

 

Up next is Fun Lovin Criminals who have a style of hip hop, Rock n Blues with a bit of  R&B and a bit of punk and that is was we got today ,one song that stood out was You gotta be Crazy, it was infectious in every way showcasing the latin and Jazz styles of their music , On The night we had a few sound issues, but when resolved Fun Lovin Criminals returned to what they do best play music,  Frank Benbini on Drums  drives the rhythm with ease and Brian Leiser who is playing Trumpet, Bass .Keys and Harmonica brings it all together for that eclectic sound , They also play Tribute to the Doctor of Love Mr Barry white with the song Love unlimited and to the crowd pleaser Scooby Snacks which gets the crowd jumping with the chorus, then the uncore sees the musicianship come to the fore with that sound that we all want to hear and know.

 

Feeder are no strangers to Belfast and have a solid Fan base here in Northern Ireland Prior to coming on Led Zeppelins Immigrant Song plays over the PA before the band take to the stage; if you were expecting something as heavy as the background music, sorry.

Feeder are Pop /Rock but – full of energy and fun – a no-nonsense band that just gets up on stage and plays. with a back catalogue of hits  The band race through “Feeling A Moment,” “Renegades” and “Lost and Found”gathering pace with each song. a hell of an opener that didnt slow down.

 

Audience participation with  “Just The Way I’m Feeling” a favorite for all Feeder fans, “Buck Rogers” is the biggest song of the night with it laid back intro, and it sleek guitar sound.

Feeder have a new Album , of which the best might well be their new single “Fear of Flying.” with more audience participation and Nicholas getting the crowd involved it received a loud applause.

Harmony Live is growing, with bigger crowds and louder bands, what  will 2020 bring we wait with eager anticipation.

Review BY Wayne Stewart

Photography by Darren Mcveigh

Originally published on Metal Planet Music