Esprit D’Air / Ailsha – live gallery and review from The Academy Greenroom Dublin 26.02.2026

Esprit D’Air returned to Dublin for only the second time, taking over The Academy Green Room for a night that proved well worth the wait. With a passionate crowd packed tightly into the intimate venue, the atmosphere felt charged long before the headliners took to the stage.

Opening the evening was Irish “Princess of Gaeilgoths” Ailsha, who wasted no time making her presence known. She launched into “Good Looking Girl, Awful Music,” instantly commanding attention with her fierce stage presence and unapologetic energy. Across an eight song set, she showcased the unique fusion that has defined her rise, blending Irish influences with modern metal and alternative elements. Tracks like “Haunted” and the infectious “Meow” highlighted her versatility, shifting from melodic hooks to moments of sheer aggression. At several points, her demonic growls filled the Greenroom, reverberating off the walls and drawing cheers from the crowd. She closed with “Go Tobann,” ending her set on a defiant high and ensuring the audience was fully primed for what was to come.

Esprit D’Air emerged to the cinematic intro “Machina,” opening the first of two full sets. From the outset, the Japanese/British alternative metal band demonstrated why their international following continues to grow. The first set spanned 12 songs, each delivered with precision and relentless drive. Frontman Kai’s commanding vocals soared over thunderous instrumentation, while the band’s tight musicianship kept the energy levels surging.

After a short interval, they returned with the second set, introduced by the atmospheric “Tempus.” If the first half was powerful, the second felt explosive. The 12 song set showed no dip in intensity, instead, the band seemed even more energised, feeding off the Dublin crowd’s enthusiasm. A standout moment came mid set with a blistering drum solo that drew deafening applause and gave the audience a chance to fully appreciate the technical prowess on display.

Throughout both sets, Esprit D’Air never once let the momentum falter. For a band playing only their second Dublin show, they performed as though they had something to prove and they did so emphatically. By the end of the night, it was clear that this would not be their last triumphant visit to the Irish capital.

Ailsha photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Good Looking Girl, Awful Music
Nightmare
Haunted
Press Start
Call In A Minute
Meow
Batshit Crazy
Go Tobann

Esprit D’Air photos & set-lists:

Set-list One:
Machina (INTRO)
Lost Horizon
Nebulae
Grudge
Broken Mirror
Ocean’s Call
Guiding Light
Stardust
Habatake
Zetsubou No Hikari
Glaciers
Like a Phoenix

Set-list two:
Tempus (INTRO)
Chronos
Quetzalcoatl
Shadow of Time
Drum solo
Shizuku
Reminisce
Dead Zone
Tsunami
Leviathan
________________
Aire
Starstorm

Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic