Tag Archives: The Olympia Theatre

Indie, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

David Keenan Live At The Olympia Theatre Dublin

David Keenan graced the hallowed halls of The Olympia Theatre last night. A singer songwriter with poetic lyrics and powerful vocals – you might think his set would be quiet and poised with brief hand claps from a drowsy lethargic gathering however that’s not how Keenan rolls … nor his followers for that matter. Exuding mesmerising rock ‘n’ roll charisma, Keenan brought the roof down as he filled The Olympia Theatre with his vibrant, emotive and passionate tunes. The crowd hung onto every word bellowing out the lyrics, each syllable meaning the world to them and all of this was met with humble gratitude from the headliner.

Keenan stands behind a white screen with just his silhouette visible to the crowd. The audience cheer in anticipation. Many of them gushing “ I love him… he’s really pretty” as he poses ready for the canvas to lift and relieve the suspense. Of course Keenan maintained the solo stripped back intimacy that has gathered this dedicated following over the years, performing ‘Big Boys Must Cry’ and ‘Full Stop’ with no band and just his guitar. He is comfortable in the picturesque setting of The Olympia. His larger than life persona and poetic lyrics resound throughout the venue touching every single person who was there as the crowd bellow back his lyrics in worship.

“We made it to the Olympia Theatre, we did this together let’s celebrate together tonight as one“ and that was certainly what it felt like – a massive celebration of an artists well deserved, stellar climb to a sold out show in one of Ireland’s most prestigious and sought after venues. Keenan holds the audiences attention with ease as they await with bated breath to clap, sway or sing along. He stands majestically onstage – prancing, spiraling and jumping creating entertainment with every dramatic hand flail or stride. Like all the best shows a lot of planning went into this performance. There was a  joyous gradual beginning, an intermission of sorts with a wonderfully talented Aerial Hoop performer, a thrilling second half and phenomenal encore which saw Keenan return to the stage being cheered like a hero. Members of the crowd were embracing, shouting “go on lad!” and “love you Dave!” as he belted out powerful favourites  ‘Lawrence Of Arcadia’ and ‘Postcards From Catalonia’. 

Live, Keenan’s tracks ignite into beautiful flairs of wonderful colour and vibrant textures as he fashions the audience into a circle of friendship and comradery. With a band behind him Keenan is unstoppable.  

As the first half of the set swings into ebullient motion we see the familiar side to Keenan’s musicianship, the folky-hued, more traditional-tinged aspect. A lush and utterly mesmerising rendition of ‘Two Kids’ sees Keenan duet with Laura Burke. Their sweet, warm tones melt into one another, gently drifting the track to a new, exciting and beautiful dimension. This time stopping arrangement is a special moment within the set list and members of the crowd hug and sway while others weep. Keenan writes tracks that evoke a multitude of emotions but this specific moment took the crowd from dancing and singing to embracing and swaying in teary joy while electric bulbs and flashing lights illuminate the stage.There is a professional yet passionate approach to Keenan’s live shows that is quite admirable. He knows what gets his audience hyped up but there is an authentic and heartfelt backbone to his polished performance that leaves a raw and honest residue. 

The second half of the set brings drums, guitars (with some shredding solo’s) and a hint of grit into the show. Here Keenan tries his hand at being somewhat of a rockstar of sorts. He succeeds. A shout of “ haon, dó, trí, ” from Keenan rumbles above the drum thuds as ‘Unholy Ghosts’ initiates the more dynamic aspect of the show. There doesn’t appear to be a soul in the venue who doesn’t know all the lyrics to every track on the recently released ‘A Beginner’s Guide To Bravery’ album. ’The Healing’ and ‘Good Old Days’ have the crowd in a flurry of adored mania. ‘Alter Wine’ is utterly enthralling live – Keenan delivers the track with intense, earnest vigor as his strong vocals ricochet over the intoxicating melodic riff on guitars and strings.”Join hands with the person next to you.. lift them up” Keenan shouts as the entire venue sings the “Rain, rain, go away, I’ll come down another day” lyrics of ’Love in a Snug’. He doesn’t compromise quality as his striking vocal range refuses to falter while being met with mass applause for the lengthy notes in ‘ Tin Pan Alley‘. 

The encore brings more tears as a woman near me announces “Oh my god i’m going to cry” for ‘A Corner Boy’s Lament’ and yes she absolutely did. As she sobbed in the audience, on stage Keenan is giving it his all with his acoustic guitar. He tenderly presents this emotive song, perhaps unknowingly, creating or connecting to a special and personal moment with a lot of his audience. ‘James Dean’ and ‘Badlands’ continues the ecstatic sing and clap along while ‘Subliminal Dublinia’ aptly brings the show to an explosive finale as Keenan shouts “this is the end of the beginning not the beginning of the end”. 

There is no denying that Keenan deserved to be headlining The Olympia last night. His musical prowess is inspiring. He has the ability to rally and passionately ignite the audience through his powerful, emotive tracks and meaningful lyrics. As the confetti cannon erupted into the venue the lights illuminated the crowd’s smiling, proud faces.They cheered and applauded this young man who has worked relentlessly to craft and carve his sound without compromise. Keenan has created something unique that binds strangers together and provides an atmosphere of elation. His tracks are his medium of release, a therapy of sorts but they are perhaps so much more to the crowd of fans gathered in that venue last night.. ready to celebrate this milestone with him.  


Author : Danu

Check Out More Pictures From The Night Below

Indie, Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

The Riptide Movement Live At The Olympia Theatre Dublin With Support From Adam Weafer ,Midnight Wayne and ELLYD

The Riptide Movement headlined The Olympia Dublin last night. Promising us a set brimming with tracks from their rich and exhilarating repertoire the band created a show that was buzzing with adrenaline and vigor without fail.

Dublin’s Adam Weafer kicks off the night with his rich and warm tunes accompanied on keys by the beautiful and strikingly powerful vocals of Amy Penston. Their vocals blend perfectly – sweetly cooing the glorious catchy melodies with passion and gusto. Weafer has an extremely expressive tone and velvety texture to his voice. His tracks charm and coax the crowd to the front as they sway along while the pair banter and laugh between songs. Weafer is an enthralling performer and he brings a lighthearted and charismatic approach to his riveting tracks. Charming on stage they both settle the crowd in nicely. 

Midnight Wayne, the solo project of Wayne Soper the front-man of Dublin rockers The Hot Sprockets follows. His style is perhaps a little different to what you might expect. After time travelling from the 70’s he brings a brown flared trousers suit and some sweet luscious melodies to the stage. His falsetto coo’s through each track with a candied delicacy. With acoustic guitar and loops he creates the perfect, simple yet lush soundscape for his retro rose-tinted tunes. He proves himself quite the proficient musician creating wonderful psychedelic hues and rich sounds with a simple yet effective set up. A must see. 

ELLYD (Elaine Doyle) is the next act to grace the stage. With rich depth in her voice she is mesmerising to hear through the wonderful acoustics of The Olympia. With real heartbreaking emotion conveyed beautifully through her voice there is no denying the power behind every track she performs. The mighty and expressive choruses could break or heal your heart while her more tender tones create a warmth within you. With simple acoustic accompaniment its the outstanding vocals and wonderful melodies that hit you in the chest and confirms Doyle’s firm grip on your ears… potentially forever.

The Riptide Movement take the stage while the crowd cheer and scream. As the harmonica whines the band leap into ‘What About The Tip Jars’. The crowd are set alight. There is not a word, guitar riff or bass rumble that this crowd doesn’t know and the band pack in as much as they can of their exciting five album long back catalog. There are members of this crowd that adore and worship this band. They are on their knees in adoration, head banging to the more animated ‘Reno’ while holding each other and swaying for the slower Americana swing of ‘Skin and Bones’ and jumping, clapping and stomping for all the tracks between. Malachy Tuohy gives shout outs to the many familiar faces they have seen throughout their 13 years as a band.

The lighting was a dazzling display with strip lighting and a disco ball. The band flash lights on the crowd to see them singing along to beloved tracks like ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’. Each song the band plays empowers the audience more, causing mass jumping and singing. Tracks from the new EP ‘Something Special’ are greeted with as much enthusiasm as ‘Changeling’ from the 2016 album ‘Ghosts’ and ‘Getting Through’ from the 2013 album of the same name. The band have oodles of tracks ready for mass sing-along’s – the audience is hooked on their infectious sound. One guy from the crowd on the balcony rushes to the front – dancing and wiggling uncontrollably to ‘Getting Through’ as he shouts the lyrics and points to the band before thumping his chest while others in the balcony and the pit are standing flailing their limbs and dancing. Its manic but good humored fun that only a band as beloved in Dublin as The Riptide Movement could bring.

Guitarist John Dalton appears to go into his own world on stage – his hair streaming over his face while he blazes through shredding guitar lines with finesse and a majestic quality that is to be admired while Gerry McGarry prances about springing from the raised drummers platform where Aaron O’Grady stands in for Gar Byrne. The crowd love and cherish every member of the band as if they are their own kin and that creates such a wonderful and vibrant atmosphere for a live show. The band play ‘Fall A Little More In Love’ taken  from the vinyl version of the new EP ‘Something Special’ and boy is it a spectacular reason to buy the vinyl! That sweet melody is a dairy milk chocolate box on Valentines Day and a lot more. A real treat, the track jangles on warm acoustic guitar and a radiant Americana-hued indie backdrop with a touch of Roy Orbison flickering through the melody.

This audience will not leave without an encore from The Riptide Movement, they shout for the band singing the lyrics to ‘Elephant In The Room’ until they return to play a few more tracks. Tuohy sits by the keyboard under an immaculate spotlight for the Christmas- y  ‘All I Ever Wanted’ and they finish the night with a standing ovation as the crowd sing, jump and dance to ‘All Works Out’ as Gar Byrne triumphantly takes to the drum kit. What a spectacle.

The Riptide Movement have been around for 13 years and their show in The Olympia last night was a blistering first rate experience. They are a fantastic, primed band that are thrillingly raw and vital with their finger on the pulse of musical melody brilliance . 


Author : Danu

Check out some more images from the show below