Review: Kodaline @ Manchester Academy 3, 26/03/13

Impressive by anyone’s standards.

Since we last saw them, their inclusion in the BBC’s prestigious Sounds of 2013 list has seen them enchanting the masses both sides of the pond, get a number one in their native Ireland and a noble top 20 hit here. With their debut album set for release in June and fans in the likes of Gary Barlow and Radio 1 already secured, the Dubliners are on course to soar.

Having completely charmed and enamoured us back in November we had a sneaky suspicion they’d do so again, and true to form they got us, hook, line and sinker.

The bounteous psychedelic ‘Lose Your Mind’ initiated their assailment. Gloriously kaleidoscopic; its warm, shimmering riffs and orotund bass lines were instantly familiar and mollifying.

Wrapping delicate and brooding instrumental layers with tumbling harmonies and rasping vocals; their emotional honesty was paramount throughout the night.

Boasting a seamless amalgamation of the fey and the anthemic, they oscillated between heart on sleeve, affable, haunting odes and raucous big chorus serenades. The likes of the neat, brisk and lean ‘All Comes Down To You’ with its bright, live guitars and infectious, languishing vocal; a prime example of back to basics pop and a ready-made hit.

Frontman Garrigan might need to work on his between-song badinage, but his fragile, forlorn, tentative demeanour needs no work. Whilst frequently looking like a man caught up in his own memories and dejection; the chiselled, candidly handsome singer’s harmony-drenched echoes were enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

Their simplistic yet intimate set was naturally bolstered with the celestially crafted air-wave favourites ‘All I Want’ and ‘High Hopes’. The crowd renditions that accompanied were more akin to those you’d see for a band on their second or third album release rather than a band awaiting their inaugural one.

Despite seemingly coming from nowhere, tonight well and truly proved that Kodaline are a band in definite ascent. With sentiments that play through your head for days afterwards; the frailty, clarity and affinity they offer is undeniable.

Words: Michelle Lloyd

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