THE NEW RESIDENTS OF THE DUBLIN CASTLE
Is Friday the 13th a good night for a gig? With a higher number of instrumental breaks than you might expect in one MOT set, there was evidence that perhaps it wasn’t a date to be onstage. With the 14th being Valentines day though, and the set running past midnight, it’s clear that the bigger story is the love in the room for this band from a growing following. Especially now they are installed as the Dublin Castle’s new resident band, playing every month.
We’ve championed MOT as our new London music of choice for a few years now, but despite updates it’s over two years since we at MIS have actually seen them play. Despite thumped through torn drum skins, interference from electric cables and knackered keyboard adapters they play a great 12 or so song set to reacquaint me with their music and show me how it’s progressed, in a packed out headlining spot at the Dublin Castle. The 2nd night of their new Dublin Castle Residency, after the 1st gig got so packed people were turned away from entering. In those two years a couple of new songs have emerged beyond the last 14 track CD which you can hear at www.motband.com
“Nobody knows” is a new song played for the first time tonight. Brand new and up to date. “This is new, you don’t know it, and funnily enough it’s called Nobody Knows, I think only my mum knows this one” singer Ryan quips, and then the band play a song that everyone should know. Because it’s that good. It’s a born live to immediate acclaim and applause and my delight, and it’s so good you just wish you could email everyone the experience of hearing it live on the night rather than just telling them about it. And it makes you wish more people did know MOT as it’s better than so many songs I hear on the radio these days.
Along with “Another Day” these were two tracks that amazed, entertained and showed a developing depth of variety in the band’s sound that takes in a little blockheads style intro and wider musical influences that Madness fans would enjoy.
Alongside classics like Uptown Miser, Faces, I must be paranoid, Can’t take anymore, their own Sign of the Times, and newer tracks, Spinning Around, Going Crazy and Staring into space, it was a foot stomping, pogo jumping, dance along fun evening in the DC’s back room, showing old fans and new comers alike why they are the new kings of the castle on a Camden saturday night.
Catch them next headlining on March 14th, or April 11th.
Jonathan Young
