Rival Schools / Arabu – live gallery & review from Whelan’s Dublin 01.05.2025

New York hardcore supergroup Rival Schools played Whelans, Dublin on Thursday 1st of May as part of their current UK and European tour.

Support was from Arabu, who warmed up the crowd nicely, getting the crowds energy levels activated and ready for the main act.

From start to finish, Rival School’s set was a non stop barrage of high energy ‘short sharp shock’ song after song, never letting up throughout, and keeping the crowd glued to the stage.

These guys have been members of some of the most influential hardcore bands since the 80s, and you could tell they still love what they do and are still at the top of their game when it comes to musicianship. Their songs sound as fresh today as ever, and these guys are well worth checking out if you can.

A hot, loud, sweaty night of great music…excellent stuff.

Arabu photos:

Rival Schools photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Wring It Out
69 Guns
Everything Has Its Point
High Acetate
Choose Your Adventure
Racing to Red Lights
Shot After Shot
A Parts for B Actors
Small Doses
The Switch
You Should Have Hung Out
Arranged Marriages
Used for Glue
Travel by Telephone
Good Things
Undercovers On
Hooligans for Life
Favorite Star
My Echo

Photos & Words – David McEneanery @experimentzero