Tilt is one of those gems that anyone into Irish music needs to know about. A free, monthly night at The Button Factory, showcasing some of the best talent the country has to offer. Tilt #33 was the lasted iteration of the long running event. This one felt big and had a stacked lineup of talent, Joe Butler, Bobbi Arlo, and Tebi Rex. All killer, no filler.
Birthday boy and rising star
Joe Butler kicked things off with mad energy. Still only 19 (his birthday was the day before this show), and already out here playing tunes that have racked up serious streams and love. He ran through bangers like iknowthatyoudontknow, Suckin Diesel (which had the whole place going), Sleepy, and Delusional.
There’s a reason Joe’s been turning heads and we got a sneak peek of tracks off his upcoming EP Will It Matter Next Week (out this Friday – we’ve got a review coming, don’t worry). The new stuff is sounding real promising. Seeing it live, with that crowd energy, really hammered home that Joe’s one to watch. He’s already running laps around the game.
Next up was Bobbi Arlo, who brought some serious heat. Her set was full of big hooks and hyper-pop bops that had people pulling out their phones mid-song to find her on Spotify. You know an artist is doing something right when new listeners are adding tracks to their playlists on the spot.
She was buzzing to be playing The Button Factory and said it had always been a dream of hers. She’s already eyeing up bigger stages and even bolder visuals. With her energy and the way the crowd vibed with her sound, that dream’s looking more like a plan.
Closing out the night were the legends themselves, Tebi Rex. Matt & Max talked about their upcoming festival dates and new music on the way – so even with the group winding down, they’re not going out quietly. The sound was tight, the flow was smooth, and the chemistry between them reminded everyone why they’ve been such a force in Irish music for the past decade.
Tilt #33 was a prime example of what makes the series so special. It’s raw, real, and full of moments where you just know you’re watching someone right before they blow up. Big shoutout to John Barker, Steve Caffrey, and the Sound Training College for making it all happen again and to IMRO for supporting what’s easily one of the best free nights out in Dublin. If you’re in a position to, get to the next Tilt
Joe Butler photos:
Bobbi Arlo photos:
Tebi Rex phots:
Photos & Words – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography