A Band Called Wanda

Showcase 25th July - Review
Current mood: electric
Category: Music



The large crowd that gathered in De Barra's last Friday night provided further proof that the TMW Showcase is growing in popularity. There were a number of bands scheduled to play at the gig, but due to last-minute withdrawals Galway's A Band Called Wanda had to take care of the entertainment for the evening.

And a mighty fine job they made of it too. These folk/country rockers from the West write melodic, uplifting tunes marked by great vocal arrangements and the use of a wide array of musical instruments (fiddle, mandolin, trumpet, flutes…even a trombone came out). In the absence of XXX, they decided to "support" themselves, playing a few acoustic numbers before introducing the band proper with 'Cowboy Song,' an excellent alt. country tune with a powerful vocal line on the chorus. There were other highlights, too, with musical styles wavering between trad/folk (some moments brought to mind the Waterboys or the Levellers) to straighter country tunes to a more contemporary sound. Despite the changes in styles, the set never felt disjointed.

The band played for over two hours, fair dues, finishing with a terrific version of The Band's "The Weight (Take a Load off Annie)," an appropriate ending that drew attention to their influences and which went down a storm with the audience.

If we have more Showcase nights like this, it won't be long before word gets out to a wider audience and the crowds start coming in their droves. The Showcase provides bands with an opportunity to get their music heard to a wider audience, to get into the thick of the live music scene. A Band Called Wanda took that opportunity.

Written By Donal O'Sullivan
- TMW newsletter

A Band Called Wanda Live in Galway,

By Kevin O’Connor




Two of Galway’s most original and talented bands will take to the stage in An Pucan, Forster Street next Tuesday 2nd September. The gig will be headlined by A Band Called Wanda, who have built up a reputation for brilliant song writing and an eclectic style, playing everything from folk to country to rock and back again to form their distinctive brand of self proclaimed ‘folk n roll’.

This will be A Band Called Wanda’s final Irish show before embarking on their first European tour. The gig will be recorded and released as a live EP, a rarity among the Galway music scene. The group have been in much demand over the past two years, live performances by the band in Galway have been comparatively seldom but much acclaimed. A Band Called Wanda come into their own when performing live, with an impressive stage presence; switching between instruments and musical styles with ease between songs and performing with a confidence and energy that won’t be forgotten easily.

Support on the night will come from one of Galway’s newest music phenomena; The Followers of Otis, who are quickly making a name for themselves on the national scene having just returned from a set of performances in Dublin. They will be giving out free copies of their EPs on the night. This gig will come hot on the heels of a headline set in the Roisin Dubh on the 30th of August and cement their status as one of Galway’s hardest working bands. The Followers of Otis will also be performing at Dublin’s prestigious Hard Working Class Heroes festival for unsigned up-and-coming bands in the Andrews Lane Theatre in Temple Bar on the 14th of September.

Tickets on the night are 5 euro at the door and are sure to be snapped up quickly.

For more info and to listen to the bands, check out

www.abandcalledwanda.com and

www.myspace.com/thefollowersofotis.

- Galway First

Every Tuesday, Java City, the coffee shop in the canteen under the library will play host to a variety of acts over the coming weeks.

Tonight sees Galway folk/rock/blues/country legends A Band Called Wanda play an acoustic set of some of their most popular songs. The Galway band, who have recently recorded a live EP in An Púcán are about to leave the relative safety of the city to embark on a musical "odyssey" further afield with this being their last gig in town. The band were the winners of Witless, the prestigious NUIG Music Society prize a few years ago and are back to show the students that they still have what it takes and that they're bigger and better than ever. This rare appearance by the four-piece has to be seen to be believed, with an array of musical instruments and styles at their disposal, the first of the new Students' Union alcohol free entertainment sets should not be missed. This event takes place at 7pm tonight (Tuesday) in Java City. All Tuesday night SU sessions are free. - SIN newspaper