Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre played host to a night of immersive noise and shadowy intensity on May 1st, 2026, as Dundalk shoegaze outfit Just Mustard headlined with support from Belfast’s rising noise rock group Makeshift Art Bar.
Opening the night, Makeshift Art Bar wasted no time in setting a fierce and uncompromising tone. Having only recently seen them at their own headline show on April 24th, expectations were already high, but on a bigger stage, the band elevated their sound even further. Their performance felt louder, tighter, and more assured, filling the venue with a raw, abrasive energy that never lost its sense of control. Tracks hit with precision, yet maintained the chaotic edge that defines their style. A highlight was their latest single “Chocolate,” which landed particularly well, its jagged riffs and driving rhythm resonating strongly with the crowd. If anything, this set confirmed that Makeshift Art Bar are more than ready to command larger audiences.
As the stage darkened for the main act, Just Mustard leaned fully into their signature aesthetic. Bathed in low light, the band appeared as silhouettes after the first three songs (during the first three the lights were a little brighter as they were filiming), with shifting shadows adding a haunting visual dimension to their already atmospheric sound. This deliberate minimalism created an immersive experience, drawing the audience inward rather than outward and very reminiscent of a Jesus and Mary Chain show.
Their sixteen song set was both expansive and hypnotic. Opening with “Endless Deathless,” they immediately established a brooding tone, layering distorted textures with pounding rhythms. The band’s ability to balance noise with melody was on full display throughout, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next. There was a sense of restraint beneath the distortion, a careful construction that kept the set cohesive rather than overwhelming.
The crowd remained captivated throughout, swaying in unison as waves of sound washed over the room. By the time they closed with “Seed,” the atmosphere had reached a quiet intensity, the final notes lingering long after the stage fell dark.
Overall, this was a night that showcased two bands operating at the height of their powers. Makeshift Art Bar proved themselves a formidable live force, while Just Mustard delivered a masterclass in mood and sonic immersion. Together, they transformed the 3Olympia into something far more intimate and otherworldly than its size would suggest.
Makeshift Art Bar photos:
Just Mustard photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Endless Deathless
Silver
Out of Heaven
Seven
I Am You
Somewhere
Deaf
Frank
Dandelion
That I Might Not See
Pigs
The Steps
Pollyanna
Still
We Were Just Here
Seed
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic