Despite the valiant attempts of an efficient fog machine, irony quickly displaces mist in the Olympia Theatre as the most noticeable (if unintended) element of Good Charlotte’s show. "The world is a cold, dark, lonely place and no one understands me. But Ireland, I think you understand me!" screeches lead singer Joel Madden before launching into ‘The World is Black’, a surprisingly serious song from Good Charlotte’s surprisingly serious new album.
The Madden twins lack energy and Chris Wilson looks so bored he resorts to a game of catch-the-drum-stick in between songs. Bassist Paul Thomas is the only member who manages to look engaged in the music. It's all very odd.
Sticking to the older songs, Good Charlotte coast through hits like ‘Anthem’, and ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous’. These bass-pounding songs about alienation and rebellion are the standard stuff of punk-pop, but I can’t help wondering what the pre-teeners, dwarfed by oversized Good Charlotte t-shirts (they don’t make them in extra, extra small), really have to be that angry about. Maybe Madden’s rumored relationship with tween queen Hillary Duff has bridged the age-gap.
Regardless, this is a band that knows its fan-base.
Good Charlotte give them exactly what they want. Their prize? Enough Irish flags to stretch from Dublin to Sligo.
It’s a shame more of the new songs don’t make an appearance but, alas, there is an eleven o’clock curfew for 90% of the audience.