The Goo 1
FEB-MAR 24 Roisin Murphy3Olympia Theatre Roisin M
urphy is reigning technicolor on Dame Street tonight. Murphy is mesmerising. She dances like a funkstar sister. She gazes out at her church with such confidence, composure and edge that you know you are in the hands of a master and you know you will be talking about this night for some time to come. The graft and finesse of this concert are over-stimulating, such is the kinetic energy on stage. When she begins Moloko classic ‘The Time Is Now’, you know the time is now, and this is the moment to leave all worries and stresses out in the February cold and let the music take over. ‘Ruby Blue’ gifts us with fiery fusion. ‘You Knew’ is triumphant. Audio visual displays reflect and flicker images that are beautiful and tenacious. The songs keep coming. The musicians are commanding in their cohesion and they build the momentum like a NASA rocket firing up, ready for take off. Many costume changes add to the exhibition. She flexes her muscles literally at one point and her physicality mirrors the strong dance undertow that drives this musical genius forward at breakneck speed, Disco, soul, neo-soul, tribal percussion, rock n’ roll, chicago house, all orchestrated with sublime precision to take the roof off the Olympia Theatre with euphoria not seen there since the Lovetrain landed many moons ago. I think the phrase goes ‘This is Roisin Murphy’s world and we’re just living in it’. Her music is the drug of choice for the generation that ain’t done dancing yet. Till next time. AM. Naoise Roo - Workmans Cellar ‘The Final Countdown’ rang out over the interim before rapturous applause greeted Naise Roo, who with ‘Sick Girlfriend’ reminded us of the kind of hook laden, off kilter sass we’ll only enjoy on record in times to come. Belfast-based neighbour Clara Tracey joined the fray for the skronky stomp of ‘Uh Oh’, before ‘Oh Son’ had one member of the audience swaying like one of those inflatable things you see outside of American car dealerships. It’s those scathing guitar chords in the chorus and that swampy groove and her singular voice ringing out through the squalls. Paddy Hanna joined for a number that was like the imminent Godspeed You! Black Emperor distilled into a four and a half minute odyssey. ‘Falling Stars’, a reflection on the brutal side of the creative endeavour, was as beautiful as the first time I heard it live in 2019, dripping with the Lynchian drama Roo perfected on last years ‘Emotionally Magnificent’. The melancholy air evoked then decimated by the proto industrial stomp of ‘Razor Sharp Shirt’. It is a crying shame to think an artist as gifted as Naoise Roo has chosen to leave the stage behind for the moment. Regardless, I feel sure that there is much more she’ll accomplish, her being the stunning creative force that she is. I am sure the newfound time and energy will eventually yield brave new artistry and with time, allow her some peace, and some repose. Until then, the Irish music scene is a touch dimmer for her absence. AOC. DEPECHE MODE Depeche Mode 3Arena The anticipation for Depeche Mode’s return to Ireland has been steadily building for a number of months following their sensational performance last June in Malahide Castle. And as the lights dimmed on this Bank Holiday Saturday night the crescendo of appreciation exploded when Dave Gahan and Martin Gore emerged from the shadows and began a triumphant ceremony, loaded with anthems of our youth. Opening up with ‘My Cosmos is Mine’ and ‘Wagging Tongue’, the first noticeable aspect is how much more intense the new material from ‘Memento Mori’ is in a live setting. Much like the electronic intestine-rumbling experience many of you will associate with seeing the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode scoop up the sold out arena capacity within the first few minutes, and hold them for the entire duration of the show. What follows is a setlist that is littered with iconic nostalgia from the bands impressive back catalogue, much to the delight of the ecstatic crowd, who sing along to every word with, almost, cult-like admiration. There is no mistaking the brilliance of Depeche Mode, and if tonight is anything to go by, their ability to cherry pick genre-defining anthems from the last forty four years, proves that they truly are a force to be reckoned with live and a band that I urge you all get to see, at least once in your life. Outstanding! OOB PHOTO - ABIGAEL PAQUET ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF WWW.OVERDRIVE.IE © 2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. .. DEPECHE MODE ... TRULY A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH LIVE PAGE 21