A couple of years ago I reviewed Secrets of the Day, the latest studio album from the Celtic Rock band The Killdares. My high praise for the band and their music has only increased over time and, with their newest release, they’d earned a place on my bucket list of bands I need to see live. Recorded on July 30, 2010 at the historic Granada Theater in Dallas, TX, Up Against The Lights – Live in Concert packages together a high definition DVD along with two CDs of the entire show in one neat little collection.
If you have a high end home theater system then the DVD will be a very nice treat for you. Dim the lights and crank up the volume. The picture quality is superlative and the sound is crisp and clean. But you will quickly forget the technical aspects as you get drawn into the performance that is The Killdares live. Their studio albums have such a rich, full sound that I thought would be very difficult to achieve live. I was very wrong. If anything, the band sounds even more dynamic and vibrant on the stage. Most remarkable to me is Matt Willis playing the bagpipes not only through a lengthy intro, but effortlessly segueing into the first two songs. And Willis barely takes a break during the entire show, switching comfortably between bagpipes and various flutes. Of course, once Willis is accompanied by Roberta Rast’s electric fiddle, the effect is fairly mesmerizing. I’m still gleefully jubilant at how cool the fiddle and bagpipes sound together, playfully flowing through the songs. Brek Lancaster’s guitar influences, namely Steve Howe and Jimmy Page, become more apparent in a live setting, but he thankfully never gets out of control and keeps his masterful playing within the songs instead of overshadowing them.
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The biggest surprise to me is Tim Smith, drummer and lead vocalist. There are a lot of lead singers/drummers who opt for a tour drummer so that they can be right out front singing. Not so Mr. Smith. Astonishingly, Smith wails away on the drums while strongly singing each song and never looses timing either way. I sure an expert musician and Smith himself would point out little errors here and there, but to a music fan like me it simply looks and sounds astonishing. I don’t think anyone would ever think badly on Smith if he had another drummer sit in for him, but he frankly looks right at home behind the drums and I don’t think someone else would have his passion or intensity. Smith shows obvious enthusiasm and love for what he does and that is echoed in the other members of the band. That is also shared by special guest Gavin Kelso on bass guitar and keyboards. Kelso effortlessly fits in with the band and would not be out of place making more music with them.
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The show runs right around two hours and features a great collection of songs from their discography including four unreleased tracks. One of those is a brand new song called “The Undertow” and I really hope it is on their next album. The DVD is shot from multiple cameras and edited together very nicely. The DVD also features a lengthy and candid interview with the band that is as insightful as it is sometimes silly. The band members seem much more comfortable playing their music in front of a camera instead of being asked to talk about themselves, but their camaraderie and friendship is evident. The Killdares also show a love for their fans with some great fan footage which reveals a mutual admiration. All in all, this is a very well put together set and I highly recommend you pick it up right away. If you are a fan and can’t make it to Texas to see them live, this is a very acceptable alternative. Even if you’ve seen them many times on stage you’ll want to watch this show over and over in your home. And for those that have never experienced the music and shows of The Killdares, well, you are in for an amazing treat! Pick up this set now by clicking here.
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