Nothing says summer like a trip up the Dublin coast to the stately surroundings of Malahide Castle for a feast of live music under its gothic gaze. Whilst Take That, the first offering of this year’s seasonal entertainments, satisfied those in search of poptastic retro fun, the fare on offer on this evening’s bill promises a far cooler and more eclectic affair.
Shit Robot (Irish DJ/producer Marcus Lambkin) provides the soundtrack for the early revellers arriving in the evening sunshine, but it is left to Young Fathers to ramp up the proceedings, even if a smattering of ominous clouds appear on the horizon as they burst into a rousing double blast of Queen is Dead and Wow. The foundational trio of Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole, and G’ Hastings, along with the gifted Kimberley Mandido, interweave their vocals to an electrifying effect, I Heard is serenely exquisite, culminating in a spiritual crescendo.
The infectious rhythms of I Saw superbly captivates the audience, eliciting a fervent response, especially when the chorus of “I keep on walking the line” segues into “Free Palestine”, with Toy bringing a vibrant set to a satisfying close.
Idles at Malahinde Castle. Photo by Owen Humphreys www.owen.ie
From the moment IDLES step onto the stage, the atmosphere is charged. A foreboding piano line ushers in IDEA 01, the opening track from their outstanding new album ‘TANGK’. Five tracks from that album make up nearly half of tonight’s setlist, the potent Gift Horse standing out as an early highlight, sparking a frenzy of moshing.
Frontman Joe Talbot, despite his magnetic, forceful presence, is magnanimous about being blessed to have the opportunity to share the stage with bands of the stature of Young Fathers and LCD Soundsystem, before lashing into Gratitude, a fervent and tumultuous anthem that is an ode to the recognition of one’s fortune.
Never Fight a Man with a Perm sees IDLES at their mesmeric best, before the glorious Dancer kicks in, followed seamlessly by the incendiary punk banger Danny Nedelko (dedicated to the immigrants of Ireland and Palestine). Guitarist Mark Bowen, adorned in wonderfully elaborate attire, dives into the crowd with zeal, orchestrating a communal singalong, before Rottweiler brings their set to a fierce and ferocious close, capping off twenty minutes of unrelenting magnificence, underscored by the “Ceasefire Now” message displayed on the stage backdrop.
LCD Soundsystem at Malahide Castle. Photo by Owen Humphreys www.owen.ie
A sprinkling of rain ushers in our headliners LCD Soundsystem and appropriately enough they kick things off with the ebullient The Time Has Come, the crowd, eager and animated, quickly shows their readiness. Kraftwerk’s Computer Love seamlessly transitions into I Can Change, delivered with a swooning romance. On the subject of change, James Murphy looks better than ever, seemingly basking in the limelight once more, making the infamous Madison Square Garden farewell seem like a dim distant memory.
While Tribulations may occasionally seem like a filler track, in this instance, Murphy and his band perform it with remarkable splendor. Yr City’s a Sucker becomes a delight for everyone. The sight of a double rainbow spanning the grounds of Malahide Castle creates an idealic locale for the profoundly moving Someone Great, drawing tears from many in the audience.
Murphy flaunts his local credentials with an Irish t-shirt as he serenades the crowd with Home, and soon after, we’re thrust into the heart of a full-on party with Dance Yr Self Clean. A magical waltz ensues beneath the giant disco ball for New York You’re Bring Me Down, leading to the monumental All My Friends, which caps off the night with an impressively powerful flourish. The crowd lingers, not yet ready to stagger home as Nothing Compares to You guides them into the dusky night, after an evening of sublime summer entertainment.
