Superheaven / Balance and Composure / Soul Blind – live gallery and review from The Academy Dublin 22.01.2026

Post hardcore outfit Superheaven brought their Irish/UK tour to a close with a tightly executed final date, supported by Soul Blind and Balance and Composure, in front of a 750 crowd. Despite persistent rain outside the venue before doors opened, the atmosphere inside suggested a crowd more than ready to make the night count.

Opening proceedings were New York based Soul Blind, who delivered a concise 30 minute set that blended grunge textures with modern hardcore energy. Their performance was sharp and unpretentious, serving as an effective tone setter for the evening. While brief, the set succeeded in warming up the room and establishing momentum early on.

Balance and Composure followed, met with a noticeable rise in crowd engagement. Drawing from across their catalogue, their set included well received tracks such as ‘Parachutes‘, ‘Burden‘, and ‘Postcard‘, each landing with measured emotional weight. The band closed with ‘Notice Me‘, which drew the strongest reaction of their performance, underscoring the lasting connection the group has maintained with their audience. Their 30 minute slot felt carefully paced, balancing intensity with restraint.

By the time Superheaven took the stage, the room was hyped and fully engaged. Opening with ‘Sponge‘, the band immediately established a thick, immersive sound that carried throughout their 14-song set. Tracks such as ‘Stare At The Void‘, ‘Numb to What Is Real‘, and the ever anticipated ‘Youngest Daughter‘ were delivered with a consistency that prioritised atmosphere over spectacle. Rather than relying on crowd interaction, Superheaven allowed the material itself to carry the performance, a choice that suited both the band’s style and the audience’s expectations.

The set concluded with ‘Poor Aileen‘, bringing the night to a controlled and fitting close. As a final tour date, the performance felt confident and cohesive, reflecting a band comfortable in their identity and aware of their audience. While rain soaked queues may have marked the beginning of the night, inside the venue there was little sense of fatigue, only a shared focus on the music and a crowd fully present until the final note.

Soul Blind photos:

Balance and Composure photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Reflection
Parachutes
Any Means
Burden
Cut Me Open
Cross To Bear
Postcard
Tiny Raindrop
Notice Me

Superheaven photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Sponge
Leach
Downswing
Cruel Times
Life in a Jar
Stare at the Void
Hothead
Youngest Daughter
Crawl
Long Gone
Numb to What Is Real
Around the Railing
In on It
Poor Aileen

Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic