Chewing on Tinfoil at The Grand Social, Dublin, on December 6th 2014

For their final live performance prior to a nine month hibernation to write and record their third album, Chewing on Tinfoil took to the stage in The Grand Social and put on a performance that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Before the Dublin lads even began playing, the confines of The Grand Social were radiating with anticipation. The set comprised of nearly all of their most recent album, ‘Marrowbone Lane’, as well as older material from ‘Get Rich or Try Dyin”, and the ‘Shaving EP’. It didn’t really matter what they played though, as the crowd was in flying form all night and many left hoarse and exhausted from the inescapable mosh pits.

There’s always been something special about Chewing on Tinfoil. The songs are lyrically fantastic, and Stu Daly manages to deliver each and every one with barrels of raw emotion. The shared vocals are always a fantastic contrast, as Stu and Anto’s voices manage to compliment each other despite their glaring differences. Early on, Language helps the set to take flight, and it just didn’t come down from there. Shaving and Sons & Mothers are particular standouts, and both evoked a raucous sing-along, accompanied by crowd surfers as the front five rows became a sea of moshing.

The title track of their last release, Marrowbone Lane, garnered the biggest singalong of the night. At times the band shared massive grins, and it was clear that this show was as special to them as it was to the adoring audience. The contrast between earlier work, like set closer Breso and the newer releases was evident, but it was kind of like finding an old toy you’d forgotten about – the memories and rediscovery are still as good as ever. It was a perfect illustration that their evolution from ska to a more punky sound didn’t take anything away from the songs that are still as fresh as they always have been.

It’ll be a rough nine months without another Chewing on Tinfoil show to look forward to, and Saturday night solidified their place as one of Ireland’s most exciting live bands. All five put everything into the deliverance of their music, and their excitement is contagious, it’d be impossible not to enjoy seeing these guys live. After a night of raucous singalongs and dodgy dancing, fans will just have to be sated until the return of the quintet later next year. But when they do return, they’ll have a show to beat.