MUSIC California dreaming
Voodoo, Belfast Tomorrow, 7pm
Watford-based The Spitfires conjure up an authentic look and sound from circa 1980, even though its members were born many years after the likes of The Jam and The Specials ruled the charts.
Even the influence of 1960s bands such as The Kinks and Small Faces can be heard in their output, which includes two acclaimed albums, 2015’s Response and A Thousand Times, released the following year.
The Spitfires are one of the best live bands on the circuit, having notched up more than 400 gigs and amassed an ever-increasing army of fans. A new album is due for release later this year, so expect the odd taster when they play this early show at Belfast’s Voodoo.
Visit seetickets.com for further details.
Empire Music Hall, Belfast Tomorrow, 8.30pm
Expect plenty of smooth Californian sounds as The Empire hosts seven-piece band, The Illegals.
Fronted by The Commitments/ Eurovision star Niamh Kavanagh, the tribute outfit reproduce The Eagles’ 1970s vintage sound by playing instruments from the era.
All the hits from the late Glenn Frey and Don Henley’s influential soft-rock troubadours feature and, as a BOGOF bonus, the band will also cover several of the early British blues and West Coast hits of Fleetwood Mac. Visit thebelfastempire.com/music-hall/the-illegals for more details.
Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast Sunday, 7.30pm
Portland, Oregon-based kings of alt-country rock Richmond Fontaine rolled into Belfast several years ago to promote new album You Can’t Go Back If There’s Nothing To Go Back To.
Sadly, that was the band’s swansong, as singer Willy Vlautin announced he would be working on new projects once the tour ended. Vlautin is back in town to play this solo show, but with plenty of Richmond Fontaine material in his set list, as well as more recent compositions. For more details, visit ticketsource.co.uk/date/432459
Patric Baird