Loose Lips and Skyrocket have now fully built a reputation for putting together lineups that are all headliners. They catch Irish artists that are ready to blow up before the wider world catches up, and Vol. 6 was no exception. Three Dublin acts, all bubbling under the surface of the Irish indie scene, all with the feeling that bigger things are not far off.
For Nina opened proceedings with the kind of set that makes a strong case for paying attention to Dublin’s grassroots circuit. The trio have been steadily building momentum since 2023, and tonight was the third night running they had played live. Holly Owens, their lead vocalist, was warm between songs, calling out the familiar faces who had followed them across the run of shows, the kind of dedicated early crowd that tends to follow bands worth following. They leaned into new, unreleased material alongside their existing singles, which at this stage of a band’s shows real confidence.
Affection To Rent came on quietly and let the music do the talking. No fanfare, no lengthy introductions, just a band who clearly trust their songs enough to let them fill the room, and fill it they did. From opener “Into Sleep” through to the wall of sound that carried “Cathedral” and “Tomorrow,” the set moved with real purpose, that gave the whole thing the feel of a carefully sequenced record rather than a collection of songs. Frontwoman Abbey Addenbroke-Sheriff has a voice that carries genuine weight, and closing on “If We Fall,” their debut single and still arguably their strongest statement, sent a strong message about where this band are headed. A band that clearly knows exactly what they are.
Annie-Dog closed the night and made it look effortless. Performing solo, she live-mixed the entire set herself. Handling every part in real time, the kind of one-woman operation that could easily feel like a technical exercise but instead felt completely natural. By the end of it she had the whole room bopping, rattling through her catalogue of shapeshifting indie-pop with the quiet confidence of someone who has never once second-guessed what she’s doing. A perfect set of acts for a night that once again showed why Loose Lips and Skyrocket selects acts that well worth keeping an eye on.
For Nina photos:
Affection To Rent photos:
Annie-Dog photos:
Photos & words – Cian O’Donnell @cianod6