There has been much whispering of late about Donegal four-piece The Screaming Orphans. Seeing as they're four very attractive sisters who all confidently play their own instruments and write their own songs, it's not surprising that a lot of that whispering has involved comparisons to The Corrs. But the four Diver sisters - Joan, Marie Therese, Grainne and Angela - though perhaps less refined than their Dundalk rivals, are already far more accomplished songwriters. And, thankfully, they have a greater breadth and a harder edge to their music, which distances them from the "manufactured" vibe that seems to infect so much of pop music today.
Not yet having been subjected to too much of the polish that comes with record company grooming, they seemed to shine all the brighter during their hour plus set in Whelans on Saturday night. Songs such as Little Affair, the up-tempo Thank You and the more sombre Selfish Stupid amply showed the band's considerable talent for writing evocative and infectious music.
The Corrs, as well as Britney and the rest of the pop fraternity, should make some room, because a real sister act has finally arrived.