Lotus Lullaby live at ULU, London

There may be no prize for second place, but Cork’s Lotus Lullaby can take some sense of victory from finishing runners-up at the Student Music Awards. With text voting having less of an impact than previously, 2006’s British finalists could claim to be present on merit rather than the size of their fanbase. Though their standard as a whole rarely shifted above average, the improvement on the previous year’s comedic collective was distinct.
Brighton-based The Wailing Jacks delivered an energetic two-fingered performance of southern blues whilst Manchester’s Whisky Cats added a diversion to the rock-fuelled proceedings with their mix of jazz, folk and funk.
Performance of the night came from eventual winners and frantic angular rock trio Olympus Mons. With their shifting melodies and bass-driven hooks, the Londoners hugely impressed, drawing most comparison with Bloc Party. Though deserved winners, their victory proved surprisingly tight with only one vote separating them from Lotus Lullaby in the eyes of the judges.
Surprising, because from the off Lotus Lullaby seemed set-up to be forgotten. Handed the unattractive 7.30pm opening slot, by the time they’d launched into opener ‘When It Feels So Good’ – a disco stomper much in debt to Franz’s ‘Do You Want To’ – only a handful of people had made it into the venue.
This though meant little to frontman Gavin Dunne. Oozing charisma he trailed about the stage like a dog in heat gyrating his hips and pouting suggestive lyrics as if playing to an audience of thousands. Such rampant on-stage energy proved infectious and as crowd numbers began to swell, so too did the group’s confidence. Had they had slightly more memorable songs, like the aforementioned opener or current single ‘Push’, the outcome may have proved different. However with post-gig murmurs of A&R interest, they and the Irish contingent can’t have been too disappointed. A victory of sorts amid some healthy competition. Roll on the 2007 Bank of Ireland NSMA’s.