Example at The O2, Dublin

Review of Example at The O2, Dublin on February 21st 2013

You could easily be mates with Example, right? He’s got this effortless appeal, like he’d probably fit right in at your house party; perched on the couch with a can and a laptop cranking out the tunes. That’s just what the O2 felt like on Thursday night – like a massive house party with an epic sound system.

The Londoner, real name Elliot Gleave, stopped off in Dublin as part of his two-month UK and Ireland arena tour to promote his latest album, ‘The Evolution of Man’. His hit-filled set also included songs from his previous two albums ‘Won’t Go Quietly’ and ‘Playing in the Shadows’.

A bouncing support slot from dubstep DJ, Benga kicked off the night and his remix of Wonderwall had every member of the audience singing along. Then just like a VIP section at a swanky club, the sparkling stage came into view as the intro to Kickstarts blasted out. The crowd erupted as Example made his entrance with a beaming smile and in a matter of seconds everyone was on their feet.

Like a colossal nightclub with luminous, beaming lasers and flashing lights, the O2 may not have been sold-out but right now who would notice? Example kept belting out song after song and barely took a moment to catch his breath, only stopping for the occasional bit of banter: “I love this place. You lot are always happy!” He made an (admittedly poor) attempt at an Irish accent too: “Tanks a million”!

Cranking it up even further for Playing in the Shadows, Natural Disaster and Close Enemies he delivers those big, booming ‘get-on-your-feet’ choruses with ease. The atmosphere evolved into a full-blown Ibiza-style party during Watch the Sun Come Up, followed by Calvin Harris’ hit We’ll Be Coming Back which not surprisingly got a huge response as everyone (drunkenly at this stage) sang their hearts out.

He encored with the latest single Perfect Replacement and finished off with an explosion of red and white rose petals that accompanied the infectiously catchy Changed The Way You Kissed Me. There you have it, the man knows how to throw a party! But will he come to mine? That’s the million dolla’ question.