If the amount of human sweat inflicted friction burns define a good night out then the Funnel was the place to be for The Frames DC. The Frames were in amazing form with pogo-stick jumping the norm for their set.

Through the narcotic-fuelled haze, Glen Hansard was clearly enjoying himself and the mood was infectious. Given his comments about the disillusionment engendered by playing in front of the same people the whole time, the younger crowd and their more enthusiastic response must have appealed.

Their encore went on and on and on and better and better until they ended with the sublime 'Red Chord'. 'Revelate' was another highlight as Hansard dived into the crowd and climbed up into the lighting system while a group of students came on stage and continued playing the song. Magic.

The cover version of 'Debaser' was as inciteful into the crowd's mood as it was welcome. Downstairs DJs Thayl and Singer played everything from the MacGyver theme tune to Spiritualized. Anyone who has the courage to play 'Cool Waves' gets my vote of confidence.

Earlier, Kid Icarus decided to showcase a lot of new material. Given the amount of people there who had never heard them before, it was the wrong occasion to do it. They never captured the crowd's imagination.

Palomine were their usual selves and sound increasingly better each time they play. Their sound is tight and will continue to be optimised. The only blips on the night were the faulty sound system and the over-zealous natures of some of the upstairs bouncers.

The Funnel had only one bouncer at one stage and the mood was relaxed and non-confrontational. The increase in security has eliminated that mood and it's beginning to turn into just another club. Hopefully, and providing the Gardaí butt out and allow them, they'll be able to get that ambience back.