Winter (WINTER on all music platforms) are an up-and-coming local band from Belfast. They are fronted by my great friend Holly Maguire, whose debut solo EP I reviewed back in February. However, this band is a much different proposition to her solo material…

The band began as a solo project from bassist Robbie Winter (where the name comes from), who then expanded into a live band: Holly on vocals with Alex Keatings and James Donnelly on guitar. Their motto is “Make Music Scene Again” – basically music that could fit in a ’00s Tony Hawk game.

Now this self-professed “emo” music isn’t a genre I have the greatest knowledge of. I suppose you could call Green Day (who I’ve recently reviewed) emo, with their look around the “American Idiot” era and some of the lyrics. However, I do believe they are a just a great rock n roll band, with a rooting in classic punk and a surprising “lemon” influence as I recently said! Some of the more overtly “emo” material from that time has never fully landed with me. But WINTER feel like something different.

From the opening track, there’s an immediacy to their sound – full-throttle, but surprisingly accessible. What stands out is the balance: despite the angsty, minor-key tendencies typical of the genre, much of the set leans into major-key progressions and genuinely danceable rhythms. It’s a combination that gives their music a lift that sets it apart.

A lot of that energy is driven by drummer for this gig Zak McConaghy, who delivers a relentless, high-impact performance throughout. There are moments that flirt with house-style 4/4 patterns alongside fast skate-punk beats, adding an unexpected rhythmic dimension.

Their second single, “bite your tongue,” is a clear highlight. It captures that duality perfectly – emotionally charged but still upbeat and fun. The band’s stage presence really comes into focus here too, with Maguire confidently leading crowd interaction. Calls to “jump” and “clap your hands” might sound simple, but they’re surprisingly rare at local gigs – and they work.

An unreleased track, “75,” talking about the friendship that comes with a band, reinforces how tight they are as a unit. There’s a sense of cohesion not just musically but in how they engage the room – something that can’t be faked.

Two covers in the set – Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life” and Paramore’s “Decode” – highlight the band’s influences, even if they also underline some of my own reservations about the genre. Both songs lean heavily into a kind of heightened drama that I personally struggle to connect with. I don’t hear much of a groove and can’t really bop my head to these songs! That said, WINTER perform them with precision and conviction.

A full-band version of Maguire’s “Tides & Satellites” offers an interesting contrast, showcasing the group’s technical ability through more complex arrangements, while still fitting cohesively into the set.

*the band even have their own t-shirts. Blurry photos as they are from Instagram!

Their debut single, “WHAT DO YOU THINK I REACH FOR?”, continues the pattern – minor-key intensity paired with an underlying danceable sense. Even at their heaviest, there’s usually something to hold onto melodically. If I was to squint my eye and compare their music to a “lemon” band like with Green Day, I could honestly call it a heavier female-led Ash – and I can’t find that kind of influence in all music!

That’s what ultimately makes WINTER compelling. While there are elements I don’t naturally gravitate towards – particularly the occasional screamed sections and heavier breakdowns – they’re balanced by strong musicality and an instinct for melody that cuts through.

For a band with only a couple of official releases so far, this felt like a confident and fully realised live show. For a band called Winter, they definitely have a bright future!