Kodaline at The Olympia Theatre | Review

Kodaline at the Olympia 2013_7709-3 Kodaline at The Olympia Theatre, Dublin on November 10th 2013

After a busy year filled with American and European tours, the festival circuit and the odd jaunt home to promote Irish events such as Arthur’s Day, Kodaline returned for the first time since December to play three sold-out, headline dates in the Olympia Theatre.

Support on Thursday night was provided by singer-songwriter James Bay and current Dublin based, indie-rock favourites, Tandem Felix. “Tandem, like the bike and Felix, like the cat food” explained lead singer David Tapley. Not an easy feat playing to several hundred Kodaline enthusiasts who had no doubt been queuing in the cold since that afternoon. However, Tandem Felix managed to win over new fans with their honest and funny on-stage banter, soaring vocals, sublime sounds and notable drum fills. Their general stage presence had many in the crowd fondly comparing them to Radiohead, though for others who were eager to see the headliners it may have been a little mellow. An enjoyable show nonetheless from a promising young band.

The audience restocked at the bar and shortly after half nine Kodaline took to the stage to commence the main affair. Yelps and screams greeted the band as they strolled on stage. Between fans, friends and family there was a real sense of excitement in the venue for the homecoming gig. Garrigan stood back to the audience, tambourine in hand, before launching straight in to the upbeat and energetic, After the Fall. There is a precision in their stage arrangement that is striking. Everything from the Kodaline logo to the lighting maintains a clean cut design, they are refined and planned to a tee and this ultimately enhances Kodaline’s performance a great deal.

‘Dublin! How you all doing?’ says Garrigan with a grin from ear to ear. He thanks everyone for coming and shares in disbelief, that their album has just gone platinum. ‘Anyone from Swords here?‘ he asks which prompts a deafening response from the audience. There is a lively rapport between the band and the crowd. Firm favourites High Hopes, One Day and Way Back When receive an overwhelming reaction, which evolves into a deafening sing-song. The band look slightly taken aback by this and in one instance Jay is shaking his head in disbelief. The entertainment is not restricted to the stage, as those in the boxes are having a blast. One audience member knocks over a lamp while waving her hands in the air and another serenades fans in the pit during High Hopes. ‘This lad’s having a grand ole time‘ chuckles Mark.

Throughout the gig Garrigan’s vocals are flawless, as are the harmonies. Track after track it’s a tight performance, testament to the amount of touring the band has recently undertaken. It is a short enough show and the audience are not satisfied when the band leave the stage. Before long, Kodaline surprise the audience by reappearing off stage in a first floor box, surrounded by their friends. The four lads have a serious task in trying to hush the crowd as they attempt to sing without amplification. After several minutes of audience banter, the crowd finally calms down and Kodaline break into a cover of Sam Cooke’s Bring It On Home To Me. Back on stage for two more tracks, Garrigan tackles the beginnings of The Answer on his own before the full band return for the highly anticipated grand finale, All I Want.

It is obvious that the band are delighted to be home gigging in Dublin. Last night’s performance evidently impressed many as it has just been announced that Kodaline’s headline 02 date in March has sold out. If you managed to grab tickets for Friday or Saturday expect a lively, tight show that does not disappoint.