Putting 2005 to bed, part 2, highlights from Northern Ireland

I haven't been able to pay a lot of attention to local RECORDED output over the last year, but the Tracer AMC 12" and the Oppenheimer 3-song demo/ promo would be my two highlights. Embarrassingly, I haven't had a listen to either the new Tracer album 'Islands' or the Robyn G Shiels, both of which I am looking forward to hearing.
As far as gigs are concerned I have fared slightly better as I've seen a lot of really good shows. Old faves like the aforementioned Tracer AMC and Desert Hearts didn't disappoint the few times I've seen them this year, and Clone Quartet have undergone yet another transformation and were one of my highlights of BelFEST 05. Another highlight from the same night were Delaware who I had seen a couple of times before and I wasn't bothered about, but they really rose to the occasion on the BelFEST gig in the Empire. Those vocal harmonies are so sweet.
Ultimately though my two live highlights are bands I have seen a lot in 2005 and I have always been impressed by - We Are Knives (twice) and Oppenheimer (four times). In particular, Oppenheimer wowed the masses passing through the tented stage at the Vital show in Botanic Gardens, and We Are Knives supported some visiting emo-band one night in Auntie Annies and they really couln't be followed. I hope to hear loads more from these guys in 2006.

One sad final note as 2005 saw the demise of Torgas Valley Reds, one of the finest bands to come from these shores this decade. They left us a solitary 7" and a handful of great live memories.