Just three nights after tearing through Vicar Street, Gurriers were back for another Dublin headline show, this time taking over the 3Olympia. Having moved up to one of the city’s biggest stages, there was considerably more room for Dan Hoff and company to let loose. Thankfully, they made full use of it.
From the opening moments of “Nobody’s Coming to Save You”, the familiar chaos was underway. The moshing started just behind the front row and remarkably, didn’t let up for the rest of the evening. There was considerably more room on stage this time around, allowing Dan to bound from one side to the other, while the rest of the band seemed equally determined to make the most of the extra space.
The setlist was identical to Thursday night’s Vicar Street show, but there was no sense of the performance feeling routine. “Party Lines” was an early highlight, with Dan and the crowd screaming “If it moves, kill it” back and forth in a frenzy. It’s difficult to imagine a more fitting soundtrack to the scenes unfolding below.
“Drones” provided one of the night’s most compelling moments. A slow-burning build-up gradually ratchets up the tension before eventually reaching a full-blown meltdown. Its protagonist is pushed towards an enraged identity collapse as the pressures around him become too much to fend-off. The band are masters at making these moments feel almost cinematic, with the eventual explosion all the more satisfying for the patience that precedes it.
“I Wish I Was” is another example of that ability to build towards something special. One of the highlights from the new album, it continues the record’s recurring theme of the desire to belong. The guitars do an extraordinary job of reinforcing the lyrical content, almost becoming an extension of the emotions being expressed. Meanwhile, the bass deserves a mention of its own. Charlie’s got the bass tone rolled right off… it’s gnarly and brilliantly translated off of the record. There’s a physicality to the band’s sound when experienced at this volume.
Support came from Child Of Prague, who had the job of warming up a room that was clearly ready for a fairly chaotic evening. It was another strong pairing for a band whose live shows are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Having already taken in Belfast and two Dublin headline dates, Gurriers now turn their attention towards the remainder of their European tour. They’ve made another statement here with this latest iteration of their live show. The bigger stages haven’t diluted the intensity, and the material from “Nobody’s Coming to Save You” is proving every bit as compelling in a live setting as it is on record. There is a real sense of momentum behind this band, and judging by the scenes at 3Olympia, they’re only gathering speed.
You have to catch Gurriers before you can’t.
Child Of Prague photos:
Gurriers photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Nobody’s Coming to Save You
Party Lines
Nausea
Des Goblin
Pins
Today Is Not Enough
Nothing Happens Twice
Shades
Dipping Out
Erasure
Come & See
Drones
Interlude
Top of the Bill
Waiting for Fisher
Approachable
I Wish I Was
Crybaby
Photos & Words by Myles Dunne – @MylesDunnePhoto