On April 15th, Henry Moodie brought his Mood Swings Tour to the 3Olympia Theatre, playing to an elated, youthful crowd that had been queueing deep into Temple Bar long before doors opened — all in hopes of getting as close to the stage as possible.
Even before Moodie appeared, the tone was set with singalong snippets of Ed Sheeran’s “Castle on the Hill” and Raye’s “Where Is My
Husband?”, both belted out by a crowd already in full voice, though, fittingly, there was a noticeable lack of actual husbands in attendance.
When Moodie finally took the stage, the energy surged. An energetic opening run, including “Mood Swings” and “Sunday Morning” immediately locked the audience in, with Moodie joking that for one night, a Wednesday in Dublin could pass as a Sunday. It set the tone for a show that felt both lively and intimate.
Smartphones were out in abundance throughout the night, a glowing sea of screens capturing every moment a reminder of the billions of views and streams that have propelled Moodie’s songwriting into thespotlight, particularly on TikTok. Yet despite the digital mediation, the connection in the room felt genuine and immediate.
As the set unfolded, the sound expanded with rich guitars and driving drums, building momentum before shifting gears. From the circle, looking down after leaving the photo pit, it was clear the stage was being reset, ready for the quieter, piano-led ballads that showcased Moodie’s more vulnerable side. These moments brought the loudest singalongs of the night, the crowd nearly overpowering him at times.
The evening had been carefully set up by two strong support acts. Grace Gachot opened the night with a polished and engaging performance, blending her popular songs with confident crowd interaction. Dressed in flowing, Florence + The Machine-inspired outfits and carrying a touch of Taylor Swift’s storytelling style, she brought both theatricality and warmth, even pausing to celebrate a bandmate’s birthday on stage.
Taking the middle slot, Áine Deane delivered a performance that felt right at home in Dublin. There was no need to guide the crowd through the pronunciation of her name, they already knew. Having previously impressed at Glastonbury Festival’s Strummerville stage, her songwriting and stage presence remain sharp, and she confidently made a pact with the audience to return to the Olympia as a future headliner.
By the time Moodie closed out the night, the connection between artist and audience was undeniable. The show never relied on elaborate staging or spectacle, instead, it thrived on honest songwriting, strong melodies, and a crowd willing to meet him halfway.
If there’s any criticism, it’s that the night seemed to pass too quickly. But that’s often the mark of a performance that truly lands.
Grace Gachot photos:
Áine Deane photos:
Henry Moodie photos:
Photos & words – Wayne Polley @hawkeye_polley_photography