Is it because Mark Ronson is so well connected that he’s drawn a sell-out crowd to Tripod tonight? Is it because of his involvement with Amy Winehouse, his reputation as one of the ‘coolest’ contemporary Brit-based producers, or just the fact that his last album – 2007’s cover collection Version – infiltrated the mainstream in a way that his other material never did?
Whatever the reason, Ronson acknowledges the throng with wide-eyed incredulity. “The last time I played Dublin was at the Temple Bar Music Centre. I played to about twelve fuckers that night,” he shouts, waving his arms manically.
And apart from wave his arms manically, play guitar, and occasionally gesture for more life from the crowd, the dapper sod doesn’t really do anything up there. Leading a ten-piece band may have looked good on paper; but in truth, Ronson’s not a very charismatic performer, and it’s the constant revolving-door of guest vocalists that keep the show afloat (TiggaZ, Rhymefest, Candie Payne, Tawiah and our own James McMorrow amongst them). Even then, the set becomes repetitious and drab at times – especially when the trenchantly insipid Daniel Merriweather is on stage – and the sound, too, is occasionally spoilt by an overkill of bass that drowns out both band and singer at times.
Unsurprisingly it’s the hits – ‘Valerie’, ‘Oh My God’, ‘Just’ and ‘Stop Me’ – that incite the most manic reactions from the easily-pleased crowd. Was more expected from what was an average, but not awful gig? Undoubtedly, yes. Sometimes, I suppose, it’s not what you know…