Manchester’s Maruja opened the night at the Iveagh Gardens with an explosive, jazz-punk energy. Blending frantic saxophone lines with heavy, aggressive rhythms, they immediately grabbed the Dublin crowd’s attention. The frontman’s theatrical, intense stage presence set a ritualistic tone from the very start. Their sound seamlessly shifted from guttural punk aggression to sprawling instrumental jams. Despite being the support act, they easily whipped the early crowd into a frenzy, sparking the first mosh pits of the evening. They proved to be a mesmerizing warmup for the absolute mayhem that was yet to come.
When local heroes The Scratch took the stage, the venue erupted into glorious, sweaty chaos. Armed with nothing but acoustic instruments and a cajón, the four-piece unleashed a heavy metal intensity disguised as traditional Irish folk. The hometown audience gave that energy right back, opening up massive mosh pits and sending crowd surfers floating toward the stage. The rhythmic pounding on the cajón provided a relentless heartbeat, driving the band’s frantic, skull-rattling pace.
Over this booming percussion, the guitarists shredded furiously, blending intricate acoustic picking with raw, thrashing power. Gritty, shouted harmonies echoed across the park, perfectly matching the manic vibe of the crowd. Even when they briefly dropped into a traditional, quieter folk groove, you could feel the tension building before the next explosive drop. It was a masterclass in acoustic heavy rock that left everyone completely breathless.
Maruja photos:
The Scratch photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Intro
Pullin’ Teeth
Pull Like a Dog
Flaker
War of the Buttons
Seanchaí
Excuse
Gladrags
Mother of God
Instrumental Jam
Roses n Poses
Pull Your Jocks Up
McAlpine’s Fusiliers (Dominic Behan cover)
Blaggard
Cheeky Bastard
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Old Dog
Ace of Spades (Motörhead cover)
Another Round
Photos & words – Zoltán Szabó @mrzoltanphoto