When the former voice of stadium rock steps onto the tiny stage of Dundalk’s legendary Spirit Store, the clash of scale is palpable. Tom Meighan, the man who once commanded festival main stages, spent Monday night proving that his raw, electric charisma loses none of its voltage when confined to a room barely bigger than a large pub.
The Spirit Store, known for its intimate atmosphere, was packed shoulder-to-shoulder, thick with anticipation. From the moment Meighan launched into the opening number, the crowd was in the palm of his hand. His current live show, Raw 25, is a masterful balancing act between the explosive swagger of his past and the reflective vulnerability of his present.
Meighan remains a genuine live wire. He doesn’t just sing the songs; he embodies them, pacing the stage, locking eyes with the front rows, and using the lack of barriers to forge a direct connection that stadium lights can’t replicate. Tracks like “White Lies” and the emotionally charged “Would You Mind” showcased the growth in his voice—a deeper, more soul-searching timbre than the youthful roar Kasabian fans remember.
Yet, Meighan knows what the audience craves, and the inclusion of Kasabian cornerstones was executed with thrilling precision. “Club Foot” and “Fire,” delivered in such close proximity, became anthemic, sweat-soaked singalongs, transforming the small venue into a cacophony of terrace chants and pure rock euphoria. The power of these moments wasn’t diminished by the setting; it was amplified.
The show felt less like a gig and more like a shared testament to resilience. Meighan seems energized by the intimate setting, treating the night not as a warm-up for bigger venues, but as a crucial, honest performance. If last night was anything to go by, his presence is undiminished. He’s back, he’s reflecting, and he’s still one of the most compelling frontmen in British rock.
Tom Meighan photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Club Foot (Kasabian song)
Days Are Forgotten (Kasabian song)
Underdog (Kasabian song)
stevie (Kasabian song)
Thick as Thieves (Kasabian song)
Better Life
Where Did All the Love Go? (Kasabian song)
L.S.F. – Lost Souls Forever (Kasabian song)
Empire (Kasabian song)
Movin’ On
Fire (Kasabian song)
Photos & Words – David McEneaney @experimentzero
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