Freezer Sessions kicks off in Galway!

We are but hours removed from a spectacular opening to the latest round of the Jägermeister Freezer Sessions in Galway. A packed Roisin Dubh played host to four tremendous sets, capped off by a fantastic headline outing from Cork rockers The Frank And Walters. But we're getting ahead of ourselves...

Lisburn native Peter McCauley - alias Rams' Pocket Radio - was bestowed the honour of opening the evening's entertainment, and he didn't disappoint, delivering an energetic set complete with full band and plenty of xylophone action. Fresh from supporting Snow Patrol and a head-turning slot at Glastonbury, there was a notable air of confidence throughout, with the likes of 'The Sickness Has The Taste' and '1+2' drawing big reactions from the crowd.

Up next was the soulful and cheerfully impossible to categorise Elaine Mai. No stranger to the intimate surroundings of the Roisin, Ms. Mai commanded the full attention of onlookers with her spellbinding vocals and impressive laptop-assisted live mixing. From the moment 'Guarded' announced her arrival until the last strains of 'I.O.U.' brought the curtain down, Mai captured something very special. Look out for her new EP in January.

As the crowd swelled to capacity, local heroes The Depravations kicked things up a notch. Bursting with energy, the frenetic four-piece practically tore the house down with their relentless force. 'This Wave' and 'Not Forgotten' proved an incredible one-two punch to close out proceedings, leaving Cork veterans The Frank And Walters with a tough act to follow.

Bedecked in matching orange ties and braces, the foursome's retro stylings proved irresistible, whipping the crowd into a frenzy and transforming the Roisin into one great big dancefloor, aided by tracks like 'Little Dolls', 'City Lights' and 'Colours'. Peppered with some self-deprecating humour and confessions of their newfound disdain for soundchecks, The Frank And Walters raised the bar for Freezer Sessions' headline acts.

For a full gallery of the night's action, click here. Keep an eye on hotpress.com for further reports as the Freezer Sessions rolls on. Next stop, Sligo.