The DIT Summer Fest kicked off with The Flaws, winners of the DIT Battle of The Bands. The poor turnout was due to exams, not lack of interest; most of these bands sweat charm, talent and great tunes, and they have built up a considerable following on the live circuit. In spite of the small numbers there was a buzz about the place. The Flaws, Sonic Vista, Surface Theory and Stone Ocean are keen to impress, and they really put in the donkey work. I thought I was doomed to a night of generic college guitar bands trying to be the next Frames, but was instead treated to well-written and strongly performed music.

First up, an impressive and very polished collection of songs from The Flaws, catchy guitar solos, and, yes there are hints of Muse and Whipping Boy, but these lads are already way ahead of cheap parroting.

This was followed up by the Donegal foursome Surface Theory. There were shades of The Undertones at times. Unfortunately we couldn’t always hear the frontman’s vocals, but the lads really endeared themselves with an energetic performance.
Publicity-stuntmen of the night, Stone Ocean, delighted with their (by now trademark) dancing girl in teeny-bikini (no word of a lie, you could see her belly-button) and knee-high boots. Along with the balloons and cracking tunes, the erstwhile Bluemoose members really bolstered the atmosphere. And really, the music seemed all the better for having a pretty girl wriggle her hips in time. This band work very hard on their performance, they’re tremendously good fun. Star quality and winning personalities abound, no surprises then that they were asked to perform at Oxegen. (Their debut single ‘Let It Be Tonight’ is out June 11.)
Sonic Vista put a spit-polish on the evening with some energetic strumming and convoluted solos. My favourite of their offerings was ‘Empathy’, a fun, upbeat song with sexy, growly vocals.
So for the few exam-dodgers, the bands all rolled up their sleeves and beat out an enjoyable production. A quality night.