I’ve been fortunate enough to see LANY several times over the years, but this was undoubtedly the loudest show of theirs I’ve witnessed. The first time I saw the band in the United States, they hadn’t even released their debut album. Ten years later, Paul Jason Klein and Jake Goss find themselves deep into their sixth album era, commanding a fanbase that now stretches across the globe as they bring the European leg of the Soft Tour to a close.
Only a handful of songs into the set and Paul had already ditched the shirt. With sunglasses on, a Baywatch-worthy physique and enough confidence to fill the entire theatre, there were moments when some audience members may have briefly forgotten there was a concert happening at all.
Paul’s charm has always been one of LANY’s greatest strengths and it was on full display throughout the night. At one point he jokingly stated, “I have to admit, I don’t know anyone at all in Dublin,” before dragging a makeshift platform across the stage, climbing on top of it, and declaring himself the temporary king of the city.
The crowd happily played along all evening. During “Prettiest Thing I’ve Ever Seen,” hundreds followed Paul’s dance moves in unison before he laughed, “I’ll see you guys on TikTok later.” One of the night’s most memorable moments came when he grabbed a video camera and began filming the audience, projecting the live footage onto the giant screen behind him. Suddenly the entire theatre became part of the show, with fans scrambling to spot themselves among the sea of faces.
Paul’s humour continued throughout the set. At one point he declared that any guy unwilling to lift his girlfriend onto his shoulders should be immediately dumped, a statement that received exactly the reaction you’d expect from a packed room of devoted fans.
The standout moment of the night belonged to Annabel, who was invited on stage during fan-favourite “13.” Rather than looking overwhelmed, she completely owned the moment, dancing alongside Paul as though she’d been rehearsing it for weeks. We caught up with her after the show…
“This was the first concert I ever went to on my own, and I ended up meeting so many new friends. I honestly thought it couldn’t get any better, and then Paul asked me to come on stage. I don’t think I’ve ever been picked out of a crowd before, so I actually had to question whether he was talking to me. But the minute my feet hit the stage, I just went for it. My confidence was already pretty good, but it’s on a whole new level now. I had so much fun, and the whole band made me feel so comfortable. It’s an experience I’ll never forget, and I think I’ll be talking about it for a very long time.”
Moments like that are what separate a good concert from a memorable one. LANY have always excelled at creating an atmosphere where fans feel personally involved in the show rather than simply watching from a distance.
The main set concluded with a devastating one-two punch of “Malibu Nights” and “XXL.” The emotional weight of the former perfectly set the stage for the explosive finale. Paul left the piano behind and headed straight for the barricade, singing shoulder-to-shoulder with fans in the front row.
The setlist itself was stacked, stretching across twenty-six songs and touching every corner of the band’s catalogue. If there’s one criticism, it’s that I would have loved to hear more from “kinda” and the self-titled debut. Those records capture a version of LANY that felt entirely their own and stood apart from much of mainstream pop at the time.
Before LANY took the stage, the California-themed lineup was completed by Maisy Kay and Weathers.
Maisy Kay delivered one of the strongest support performances I’ve seen this year. Blending alternative pop with a dreamy, cinematic edge, her songs pair bright, sun-soaked melodies with deeply emotional storytelling. Wearing a glittering black butterfly dress and singing into a matching butterfly microphone, she arrived to a crowd that already contained more than a few dedicated fans. Her cover of Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” injected another surge of energy into the room, while her own material showcased a performer capable of balancing vulnerability, humour, and pure pop spectacle.
Weathers, meanwhile, seemed genuinely stunned by the reception they received. Their interaction with the audience was effortless and entertaining throughout. There was something wonderfully nostalgic about their performance – a throwback to the swaggering pop-punk energy that dominated the early 2000s. The band’s infectious confidence and tongue-in-cheek attitude made them an ideal warm-up act for the evening.
Ten years after I first saw them, LANY remain remarkably good at what they do. The production is bigger, the crowds are larger, and the songs have evolved, but the connection between band and audience remains unchanged. Judging by the reaction inside a packed 3Olympia Theatre, that connection isn’t fading anytime soon.
Maisy Kay photos:
Weathers photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Happy Pills
ALL CAPS
Your Girlfriend
Poker Face (Lady Gaga Cover)
Where Do I Sign?
Unhappy Hour (VOILÀ Cover)
I’m Not Ok
C’est La Vie
Ugly
LANY photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Soft
Why
Make Me Forget
you!
If You See Her
I Don’t Wanna Love You Anymore
Thick and Thin
Good Girls
Know You Naked
anything 4 u
Stuck
Sound of Rain
Good Parts
Let Me Know
Super Far / Mean It
Last Forever / Act My Age
13
ILYSB
pink skies
Prettiest Thing I’ve Ever Seen
When Did You Stop Loving Me?
Destiny
Thru These Tears / I Quit Drinking
‘Cause You Have To
Malibu Nights
XXL
Photos & Words by Myles Dunne – @MylesDunnePhoto