Dark Tropics / Becca Colley – live gallery and review from Whelans Upstairs, Dublin 12.06.2026

Setting the tone for the night, Dublin’s own Becca Colley warmed up the intimate Whelan’s Upstairs crowd with a deeply personal acoustic set. Armed with just her guitar and an evocative voice, she delivered the kind of raw folk-pop that naturally demands a room’s full attention. Her songs navigate the terrain of modern heartache, echoing the vulnerable storytelling of artists like Lizzy McAlpine but grounded entirely in her own distinct perspective.
It’s easy to see why she has been steadily climbing the local ranks, recently delivering standout sets at events like Whelan’s Ones to Watch showcase. The enthusiastic audience response made it clear that her upcoming headline gig at the BelloBar will be a significant milestone. Colley proved beyond a doubt that she is an emerging talent capable of holding a room captive with nothing but a microphone and an honest melody.

When Belfast’s Dark Tropics finally took the stage, the atmosphere in Whelan’s Upstairs immediately shifted into something distinctly cinematic. The duo, featuring the striking vocals of Rio McGuinness and the lush production of Gerard Sands, delivered a live masterclass in what they appropriately dub “pop-noir.” Translating their studio sound to the stage, they built a brooding, intoxicating wall of sound that relies heavily on warm analog textures.

McGuinness commands the space with a dramatic flair, weaving tales of lust, betrayal, and defiance that feel both timeless and sharply modern. You can hear faint echoes of their diverse influences bleeding through the setlist, effortlessly marrying the soulful grit of Aretha Franklin with the moody experimentation of Radiohead. It was a visually and sonically captivating performance that perfectly matched the intimate, dimly lit confines of the venue. Their organic live chemistry explains the massive momentum they’ve gathered recently, including heavy rotation on BBC radio and tours alongside indie veterans like Belle and Sebastian.

They manage to make heartbreak sound incredibly glamorous while keeping the emotional core of their music grounded and authentic. This Dublin gig served as undeniable proof that Dark Tropics are crafting some of the most compelling, stylish music in Ireland right now.

Becca Colley photos:

Dark Tropics photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Spotlight
Moroccan sun
Hallelujah fills the dawn
Keep searching
Rivers of gold
It’s later than you think
I bet you can
Dreaming
Solitary dream
Badlands
Don’t let the others know
Blue skies
All i want is here
It all leads back to you
Midnight 10th of december
Carnival
You’re mine
Whispers

Photos & words – Zoltán Szabó @mrzoltanphoto