Review: Noah and the Whale at the Academy

Noah and the Whale at The Academy Dublin on May 8th 2011

Review by Aisling O’Brien
Photos Alessio Michelini

A very dapper looking Noah And The Whale played to a packed out Academy last Sunday. They opened with a song of their new album, Last Night On Earth, Just Me Before We Met. Give the high proportion of couples, the beautiful rendition of Blue Skies held a touch of irony as it’s a bit of a break up tune.

What I love about this band is that every song is a story; Give It All Back is no different, as I found myself hanging on every word. Life is Life spurred another sing-along. As the opening chords of Peaceful the World Lays Me Down began, a girl to my right, who is clearly a huge fan, went absolutely ballistic.

Lead singer Charlie told us: “You have a lot to live up to Dublin cause our last Dublin gig was one of the best nights of our lives!” Before reassuring “You’re doing a good job so far.”

My Door Is Always Open was pitch perfect despite a bit of chatter, which slightly distracted from the intimacy of the song.
The whole gig was a perfect soundtrack for a Sunday night, particularly Wild Thing and Rocks and Daggers.
I have to say that these guys are one of the most musically together bands I have ever seen, and have a great rapport with each other and their legion of fans, most notably during Shape Of My Heart, an oldie but a goodie.

There was a burst of energy as they began their biggest hit Five Years Time. There was such a good buzz in the air and the band looked extremely happy with the response from the crowd for Tonight’s the Kind of Night, which was just lovely.
They thanked everyone for coming, and The First Days of Spring was greeted with the loudest cheers I’ve ever heard in The Academy.

Mixing old with new for the encore, they played 2 Atoms in a Molecule, everyone seemed to be in awe of the Twickenham five piece, as a fan held a single lighter in the air. Their most recent offering and sing-along anthem L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. closed the show.
I can assure you that everybody had a whale of a time..pun intended.