Cork’s Marquee played host to a brilliant night of live music, kicked off by support act Babyrat, who wasted no time making their presence felt. Bursting with energy, they kept the crowd hooked from the off with tracks like Talk Talk and Kickstart, a confident and well-received opening set.
Then came the main event. Bell X1 took to the stage with the quiet confidence of a band who know exactly what they’re there to do. With it being so, they should, with frontman Paul marking over two decades together as a band. Masters of their craft, they struck a near-perfect balance between new material, including the gorgeous But First, Love and the fan favourites that filled the room with thousands of voices singing every word: Rocky Took a Lover, Flame, Velcro, Bad Skin Day, and The Great Defector, among them.
A deeply moving moment was when Paul paused to acknowledge the passing of long-time tour member Glen Keating, who died earlier this year. He spoke warmly of Glen’s impact and took a moment to thank the Irish Cancer Society for their support. It was a poignant tribute, handled with grace.
By the end of the night, The Marquee felt less like a concert venue and more like a communal celebration, exactly what Bell X1 have always done best.
Babyrat photos:
Bell X1 photos:
Photos & words – Shane J Horan @shanejhoran
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