The Franklin Electric / Hugo Barriol – live gallery & review from Upstairs Whelans Dublin 17.04.2025

There’s something special about the kind of night that feels like a shared secret between artist and audience, and The Franklin Electric delivered just that in the intimate, little space of Whelan’s last night. With warmth filling every corner of the room.

The night opened with French singer-songwriter Hugo Barriol, whose stripped-back acoustic set immediately drew the crowd in. With delicate vocals and heartfelt lyrics, Barriol created an atmosphere of quiet reverence, encouraging the audience to join in by clapping to the beat of his songs. It was a perfect introduction—gentle, genuine, and magnetic.

Then came The Franklin Electric, whose performance felt less like a show and more like a shared emotional journey. At one point, the duo stepped into the middle of the crowd to perform two songs completely surrounded by fans. The moment was breathtakingly intimate—voices harmonizing, hands clapping, feet stomping, hearts wide open. The crowd didn’t just listen; they felt every word, every note.

The night pulsed with energy and sincerity. It was the kind of gig that reminds you why live music matters: the electricity of the room, the communion of strangers moved by the same sounds, and the unspoken understanding that something beautiful is happening in that moment.

Hugo Barriol photos:

The Franklin Electric photos:

Photos & words – Erica Keogh @ericasnapz