The Academy in Dublin was packed to the rafters on Tuesday night as English pop-punk rising stars South Arcade made their long-awaited Irish debut, joined by Liverpool alt-rock outfit STONE. What was originally intended to be an intimate club show had to be upgraded to the venue’s main room due to overwhelming demand and by the end of the night, it was clear the move was more than justified.
Opening the evening, STONE delivered a high-energy set that immediately set the tone. The Liverpool quartet have been steadily building momentum, and on this night they showed exactly why. Their ten song performance blended alt-rock grit with punk urgency and even flashes of ska, resulting in a sound that felt both nostalgic and fiercely contemporary. Tracks swung between sharp, rhythmic punches and looser, groove driven moments, giving the set an unpredictability that kept the crowd locked in from the first note.
Frontman Finley Jake “Fin” Power proved himself not only charismatic but deeply attentive, through the set, he suddenly halted the band as he spotted someone in the crowd in distress. Alerting security with impressive calm and clarity, he ensured assistance arrived quickly. Once the situation was resolved and the audience member safely escorted out, the band picked up right where they left off. It was a small moment, but a meaningful one showing professionalism, empathy, and a strong connection with the crowd. By the time they wrapped their set, STONE had easily won over the room, for many, they may have walked away as the night’s unexpected highlight and possibly a new favourite band.
After a swift changeover, The Academy stage transformed. STONE’s gear vanished, replaced by graffiti covered boards arranged around the stage, lending the headliner’s setup a gritty skatepark aesthetic that fit their youthful pop-punk spirit perfectly. One by one, members of South Arcade emerged, greeted by deafening cheers from a crowd clearly ready for a release of pure adrenaline.
From the moment they launched into “Fear of Heights”, the energy surged. South Arcade wasted no time shifting into full high-octane mode, tearing through their set with a confidence that belied the fact it was their first ever show on Irish soil. The band balanced polished pop sensibilities with raw punk edges, creating a sound that filled the room with movement, mosh pit, cicrle pit & sing alongs, and relentless jumping as the band matched the audience’s enthusiasm beat for beat.
Across their 13 song set, the band showcased their strongest material, proving themselves more than capable of commanding a sold-out main room. The night built towards a powerful finale with “2005,” a track that had the entire venue shouting back every word, ending the show on a massive communal high.
South Arcade’s Irish debut wasn’t just impressive; it felt like the start of a long relationship between the band and their Dublin fanbase. With a performance this electric, it’s safe to say they’ll be welcomed back to an even bigger stage next time.
STONE photos & set-list:
South Arcade photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Fear Of Heights
Supermodels
Nepo Baby
Danger
How To Get Away With Muder
Bleed Out
Moth Kids
Drive Myself Home
Sound Of An Empty Room
Blood Run Warm
Riptide
Stone Cold Summer
2005
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic