Brazilian rap artist Ebony brought a sold-out crowd to Dublin’s The Grand Social on Friday night, for a show that took a little while to get going but ultimately turned the venue into a full on Brazilian party.
The audience began queuing shortly before 7pm, and it quickly became apparent that this was a distinctly Brazilian affair. In fact, unless I missed someone, I suspect myself and perhaps one other person may have been the only Irish people in the venue, although I’m open to correction. The atmosphere outside was friendly and expectant, with the crowd clearly knowing exactly who they had come to see.
Inside, Ebony’s DJ opened the night with a selection of tracks that, unfortunately, failed to make much of an impression. The room felt somewhat subdued, and for a while it was difficult to imagine the energy level rising significantly.
Then, at around 8.45pm, Ebony joined the DJ on stage and the mood changed almost instantly.
The largely female crowd, which had been relatively restrained until that point, suddenly came alive. The room erupted into movement, singing and dancing, and what had initially felt like a slow start quickly became a celebration. Ebony’s arrival transformed the atmosphere, and the Grand Social was soon less like a concert venue and more like a Brazilian street party.
That sense of collective enjoyment was perhaps the most memorable aspect of the night. Brazilian audiences certainly know how to party, and this crowd needed very little encouragement once Ebony took the stage.
While the opening DJ set could have done more to build anticipation, Ebony herself provided the spark the evening needed. For a sold-out Dublin show, the result was an energetic and unmistakably Brazilian night that left the audience exactly where they wanted to be and that was dancing.
Ebony photos:
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic