Cherym – Live In Belfast

First off, apologies to the mighty Enter Shikari, tonight’s headliners. Provincial public transport being what it is, and with a long way to go home, I was only able to experience the first couple of songs of the set. These were ecstatically received by a heaving Limelight crowd, indicating that this was going to be a raucous and celebratory affair. Sandwiched between Enter Shikari and Cherym is avant garde Irish punk art terrorist Meryl Streek whose restless pacing of the stage, excursions into the pit and furious excoriations of the establishment set against techno-rock soundscapes are well-received by the Belfast cognoscenti. He’s half on home turf here, so he’s hitting home with his missiles and is clearly loved and cherished.

I had seen Cherym at last year’s Rebellion Festival where their set was delayed and hounded by tech issues. Tonight I saw them in their more natural environment – relaxed but wide-eyed at the opportunity, but not over-awed. Fresh from the triumphant launch of their Take It Or Leave It album on Alcopop! Records, the band are tight and bursting with energy. It’s more or less a truncated album set with the mid-set addition of Listening To My Head, kicking off with Alpha, Beta, Sigma and ending with the magnificent It’s Not Me, It’s You.

For those not familiar with the album (whyever not? Go get it immediately), the Cherym sound is a hook-laden dayglo guitar pop-punk with heavy undertones and razor sharp lyrical sensibilities, delivered in short, perfectly-crafted melodic bursts. The vocal harmonies are gorgeous and there is clearly substantial songwriting nous at the heart of this band. I can’t imagine Cherym care too much if you don’t subscribe to their ideology or agenda. You don’t have to, and while the messaging is unambiguous, there’s never a sense of hectoring or preachiness. This is music to be enjoyed and to fall in love with. It’s about being human, it’s about stories.

A short set that’s enthusiastically received by the Limelight crowd – some in the know, some being wooed. This might have been one of those gigs that you’ll tell people you were at when, a little way down the line, Cherym are everywhere. And they should be. Catch them if you can.