Dublin’s Button Factory played host last night to an absolute masterclass in heavy, dynamic music as San Francisco’s Deafheaven brought their Lonely People With Power tour to a packed and rabid audience. The evening was a journey through shoegaze melancholy and sheer black metal ferocity, which kicked off with a pair of exceptional support acts.
The night began with Baltimore’s Zeruel, who set a mood with their dark, moody shoegaze. Their expansive sound filled the venue, serving as a perfect atmospheric build-up and a reminder of Deafheaven’s own genre-bending roots.
The immediate intensity ramped up dramatically with the arrival of Texas-based outfit Portrayal of Guilt. They delivered a monumental, savage set, pushing the boundaries of blackened hardcore and screamo metal. Their energy was relentless and utterly impressive, establishing an immediate mosh pit that confirmed the crowd’s readiness for extremity. As a supporting act, they were far more than a placeholder, proving to be a compelling force that impressed many who were seeing them for the first time.
Deafheaven took the stage after a brief moment of ambiance, launching straight into the punishing material from their acclaimed new album, Lonely People With Power. Opening with tracks like “Doberman” and “Magnolia,” the band confirmed their return to their heavier, blackgaze roots, hitting the audience with a wall of sound that was both complex and overwhelmingly loud. The sound mix in the Button Factory was reportedly excellent, allowing the intricate layers of Kerry McCoy and Shiv Mehra’s dual guitars to cut through the thunderous rhythms of bassist Chris Johnson and drummer Daniel Tracy.
Frontman George Clarke was, as always, the magnetic centerpiece. Dressed impeccably and radiating a frenetic energy, Clarke stalked the stage, his viper-like shrieks providing the sonic texture of pure emotional catharsis. He bounded across the stage, often descending to the barrier to conduct the chaotic front rows, pushing the audience into a collective frenzy during the heaviest moments.
The set was largely dominated by the new material—including live highlights like George Clarke’s self professed live favorite, “Body Behaviour,” and the crushing crescendo of “Incidental II.” However, Deafheaven gave the devoted crowd exactly what they wanted by dropping in iconic classics. “Sunbather” and the fan-favorite closer “Dream House” were met with thunderous approval, with hundreds screaming the ending mantra of the latter in collective rapture.
Overall, the gig was a showcase of a band at the peak of their renewed power. Deafheaven delivered a performance that transcended mere genre, blending the terrifying intensity of black metal with the shimmering beauty of shoegaze, leaving the Dublin audience drenched in sweat and deafened by glory. This was easily one of the most vital and visceral shows of the tour.
Portrayal of Guilt photos:
Deafheaven photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Incidental I (taped Intro)
Doberman
Magnolia
Brought to the Water
Sunbather
The Garden Route
Body Behavior
Amethyst
__________________________
Incidental II
Revelator
Dream House
Winona
Photos & Words – David McEneaney @experimentzero
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