Republic of Loose frontman Mik Pyro rolled into Waterford this weekend and brought the funk to the ever-evolving Bank Lane venue.
For those who remember Republic of Loose’s wild, genre-bending heyday, you’ll be happy to know Mik hasn’t lost a step. These days, he’s doing his own thing, mixing soul, funk, blues and that unmistakable swagger into something that feels fresh but still rooted in what made him so magnetic back in the day. Backed by a full band, the performance had a rich, lived-in sound that filled the room effortlessly. His voice is still killer and listening to him last night brought me back to hearing classics like the steady song for the first time 16 YEARS AGO. He still has that smooth with equal measure gritty quality to his vocals. He played newer tracks from his 2023 album Exit Pyro as well as some classics, all which were received well from the crowd.
The band deserves its own shout-out too, they added real weight to the set. Everything felt sharp and purposeful. It’s the kind of setup that lets Mik be Mik, but with extra muscle behind it.
The gig took place in Bank Lane, which has been going through a serious transformation lately. Upgraded lighting, better sound, a more acoustically pleasing layout, and an increased capacity of 400, all signs this place is leveling up. With bigger plans in the pipeline too, it’s shaping up to be one of the go-to venues in the southeast for its size. Mik himself commented on the venue during his set saying “what a lovely little room isn’t it?…It’s a huge room actually!” before commenting how much he loved the City and spoke about places he had visited throughout the day.
Though the show started out as a seated gig, it didn’t stay that way for long. As the set rolled on, the crowd started loosening up, singing, swaying, and by the end, dancing in front of the stage and at the sides and back of the venue. It was one of those nights where you could feel the energy slowly build until everyone was just having a great time together. Mik Pyro is still the real deal, and Bank Lane is clearly a venue to keep your eye on too.
Mik Pyro photos:
Photos & Words – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography