If you weren’t at The Spirit Store on Friday night, you missed what can only be described as a night of “Bray-centric” storytelling and pure, unadulterated goofiness. Scustin didn’t just play a set; they hosted a high-energy, tongue-in-cheek house party that happened to take place in one of the best venues in the country.
The crowd was primed from the jump. By the time the band took the stage, the air was thick with anticipation and the faint scent of stout (but no blackcurrant to be found).
Frontman Larry is a force of nature. Part-crooner, part-stand-up comedian, and full-time charismatic whirlwind, he had the Dundalk crowd in the palm of his hand. Their songs play out like scenes from a Guy Ritchie film set in Wicklow. Whether they were detailing the trials of a “bum drink” or the chaos of a local pub, the lyrical wit was razor-sharp. While the stories are funny, the musicianship is no joke. The rhythm section was locked in a tight, infectious pocket all night. It’s impossible to stand still when those basslines start.
It’s rare to find a band that can make you laugh and dance with equal intensity. Scustin are leading the charge for Irish bands who refuse to take themselves too seriously while taking their craft very seriously indeed. It was sweaty, loud, and brilliantly chaotic—exactly what a Friday night in Dundalk should be.
Scustin photos & set-list:
Photos & Words – David McEneaney @experimentzero