Live Review: Shannon & The Shortcuts - Swan Lane, Navan June 30th

Photo from Whelans gig, March

Navan singer Shannon played her first headline hometown gig last night with her exceptionally good band 'The Shortcuts' and it was a great success. They're gonna be massive!

http://www.facebook.com/ShannonOfficial

Kicking off the gig in fine style with the title track from their debut EP, 'A Million Miles', Shannon & The Shortcuts proved to me that they are a band worth blogging about. Shannon has superb vocals, has great stage presence and is all rounded entertaining performer who commands your attention throughout. In front of a supportive 'home crowd' her stage performance showed maturity beyond her years by enticing audience participation and audience singing during a number of tracks.

While Shannon's performance was quality, the set-list of songs was brilliant from start to finish. 'The Shortcuts' consists of Drums, Bass, Guitar, Violin and on some songs Trumpet or Saxophone. The recent addition of violin on the tracks enhanced the finesse of the songs. Standout songs from the set includes 'Be Mine', 'I Can't Hide' and the instantly charming 'Our Mistakes'.



While Shannon is a 'Pop Star' she is comfortable vocally with all the songs which flirted with other genres. The well chosen covers of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues and Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine showcased Shannon's vocal abilities. The mid set slow set of a little jazzy number and the track 'Romeo' from the debut EP also proved to be no problem to Shannon.

Overall it was a fabulous performance from a band who are very close to being a complete package.

http://shannonofficial.com/

Buy The EP here: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/a-million-miles-ep/id505515374

Here's Shannon & The Shortcuts on the Saturday Night Live Show: