Press Features
Tracks
Video
Pictures
Words about John D’Arcy
“John D'Arcy writes songs that will stick in your head for months on end. He has, by far, the catchiest, quirkiest and cleverest tunes on the Northern Irish scene.
D'Arcy's set is a mixture of up beat pop-tunes and contemplative folk ballads, creating a musical journey via the stories and characters in his songs.”
Gigging NI
Shows
Press Kit
Reviews
Spring & Airbrake, Belfast:16/9/2010
Tonight sees the Limelight complex thrown open for the penultimate night of Belfast Music Week, with the Spring and Airbrake hosting Belfast Calling.
A dapper John D'Arcy opens, leaving his Great Bunch of Lads sidekicks to watch from the audience as he takes to the stage for a solo acoustic set of stick-in-your-head, well crafted tunes. With soft little love notes - More Like Me - and sweet songs such as Scotty and Pop Tart that are both lyrically sharp and wonderfully observant, it's clear that it's D'Arcy's personality and wit are equally responsible for his talent and his music. A lightly vaudevillian touch and a keen engagement with the audience brings it all together without the support of his band.
Aoife McKeown
Auntie Annies, Belfast: 3/8/2010
Tonight is a night for the brand spanking new, the young hopefuls, the re-invented, and the last waltz - four tasty slices of indie-pip goodness.
Having seen John D'Arcy too many times to recount over the years, this reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the man's new persona with "the Great Bunch Of Lads". Old songs are reinvigorated and the new songs sound ready to bring John & Co. to the "next level". Beefed up with excellent punchy baselines, muted power chords and straight up beats, John D'Arcy has moved from twee teenage songwriter to the Weezer/Blink 182 radio friendly guitar driven indie-pop that so many try and fail.
The old favourites are there, but the most exciting prospect is the quality and catchiness of the new songs in the set, making me yearn to know the words so I can sing along.
Amy McGarrigle
Review of ‘More Like Me’ featured in Alternative Ulster magazine (AU 53, 2009, p.80)
It is an almost superhero power, the way that songwriter John D’Arcy can see through people and situations and get at the core of them. His observational nous and ready wit combine wonderfully with the preening melodies of More Like Me.
Over the course of a few years, John D’Arcy has been honing his craft, looking for that elusive sound that will crystallize around him and show him the way to greatness. With More Like Me, it would appear that he has reached a plateau, with all manner of different directions streaming off in front of him.
The record reveals D’Arcy to be a skilled performer in whichever medium he turns his hand to. The title track and ‘Miss You’ are affecting ballads, whilst ‘Take Care Of Me’ brings to mind the vaudevillian pop of Duke Special, and ‘Scotty’ and ‘Poptart’ are bratty, stinging songs, full of barbed witticisms and quirky twists.
But it’s the gentle and intricate ‘Gentleman Jim where D’Arcy’s true talent emerges. Beautiful melodies intertwine with the words, creating a mature and fully developed voice, revelling in the craft of songwriting, but revealing none of it. It is, put simply, an effortless masterpiece. Where he goes from here is anyone’s guess, but the journey should be a great ride.
Steven Rainey
Words about John D’Arcy & the Great Bunch of Lads
“Surprises are to be found in the shape of John D'Arcy and The Great Bunch of Lads, resplendent in a uniform of red t-shirts. D'Arcy will be a familiar face to many, having gigged consistently over the last few years in various different formats, from the earnest folk troubadour, to the playful indie-rocker.
As we see him going from gig to gig, swapping genre for genre, we feel compelled to ask, "Just who is this John D'Arcy fellow anyway?". His latest incarnation might just answer those questions. Operating within the confines of a punchy three-piece setting, once familiar songs are given a new lease of life, kicked into shape and all the better for it.
With D'Arcy prowling the edge of the stage looking like a young Joe Strummer, comparisons with Give 'Em Enough Rope-era Clash soon spring to mind, with the dexterous bass playing and crashing Telecaster guitar chords taking us right back to '78. However, it's not long before D'Arcy's contemporary lyrical references, and Belfast-centric song locations soon remind us where we actually are.
BBC Across the Line
Barcelona
new single
30.7.2011
Launch at Head Records Belfast
featuring John D’Arcy & the GBOL. 2pm
John D’Arcy / John D’Arcy & The Great Bunch of Lads