Something Happens at Whelans, Dublin on December 28th 2013-03

Something Happens at Whelans, 28th of December 2013

The popularity of the annual Something Happens re-union gig shows no sign of relenting as the ‘80’s/‘90’s pop rock collective played to a jam packed Whelans on Saturday night. Fronted by Newstalk radio DJ Tom Dunne, the band have been putting on a post-Christmas show for the past few years and while the band (and the crowd) isn’t getting any younger, if Saturday night’s performance is anything to go by they’ll be doing it  for a few more to come.

It’s evident from the outset that the lads haven’t been shirking away from practice; for a band that only plays a couple of times a year they are incredibly tight.  Opener Daisyhead is a case in point, it sounds fantastic with the band not missing a beat.  It helps that they obviously love getting back  onstage; bassist Alan Byrne exudes the energy of someone half his age, Ryan Harmen’s jangly guitar playing seems to have improved with age and Tom Dunne is as charismatic as ever.

The high standard continues as the band plough through their back catalogue. Devil in Miss Jones and What Now are two particular highlights; though they have a very distinctive ‘80’s sound to them both have stood the test of time and still sound great. Not every song sounds as fresh; Brand New God, in particular, sounds dated and the less said about Tom’s paisley shirt the better. For the most part though, the band is on the money tonight and dress sense aside so is Tom.

Though they produced some excellent music, the band will be the first to admit that it was their inability to produce a consistant album that denied them more success. With this in mind, the set is fleshed out with some interesting cover versions. A rousing rendition of Burn Clear segues nicely into New England by Billy Bragg promoting a mass sing along. The bands mini hit Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello (Petrol) moves into a cover of Use Somebody by Kings of Leon with Dunne showing more passion on vocals than Caleb Fallowill has done in about a decade. We are also treated to versions of You’re The Devil In Disguise and Take A Chance On Me during the encore.

While the covers are very well received by the crowd it’s the bands original material that receives the best reception. Kill The Roses and Esmeralda both have the crowd in very good voice. It’s Parachutes, the bands one bona fide hit, that has the crowd at its most vocal. A fantastic pop song, this is one is up there with the best Irish pops songs released in the ’90’s.

Nostalgia driven Christmas gigs of this ilk are for the most part pretty awful, bands going through the motions looking for an easy festive cash in. Thankfully Saturday night’s performance was anything but. This was a cult band giving their loyal fanbase a well rehearsed performance that more than justified the admission price. Come Christmas 2014, you can guarantee the same fans will be making the pilgrimage back to see them again, too.