Live Report: Hawke The Band Unplug for Upbeat Y&E Performance

On the Hot Press Y&E Series this week, Hawke The Band put on an intimate performance that transports us all into their living room – to watch three guys, equipped with nothing but a guitar, a Cajon drum and three harmonious voices, bringing pop-rock down to earth.

They kick things off with ‘Gonna Be Alright,’ released last year. The band’s powerful instrumentalism – and that heavy drumbeat – deliver a song full of optimism with a hook that catches you right off the bat. They build from a mellow intro into an explosive outro, carrying their audience through an electrifying wave.

Dipping into a more playful sound, lead vocalist Richie Power jokes about the meaning behind ‘Molly,’ a track about a girl the guys met on a night out whose name they couldn’t recall. The performance differs in its intensity, with a heavy hand on the drums to replace the usual bassline, and a bouncy, tempting rhythm. All three voices come together at the end for a three-part harmony with the line, “Oh no, Molly, look at what you’ve done.”

The band delivers powerful stories through their lyrics, as they make their way through a lyrical story about a homeless man with ideas about ruling the world, singing, “O’Connell street I’m coming, a sleeping bag on the ground.” There’s a sort of melancholic hopefulness to their songs which shines through in the unplugged session.

Eoghan gives a shout out to Aslan, whom Hawke The Band supported in 2019 after being labelled “the next big thing” by the Irish rock icons, performing their breakout hit ‘What About Love.’ Power and Mac Mahon harmonise over a shimmering tambourine, allowing space for their vocal talents to shine through.

After a soft intro, ‘Rewind’ picks up with a quickening, dense drumbeat. Mac Mahon really takes the reins with vocals, belting, “More, more more." They end the livestream performance with ‘Did You Know,’ a love song that is even sweeter toned down. Listening to Power sing, “Did you know, did you know, did you know” feels like gliding smoothly down a spiral staircase.

The London-based but Dublin-bred band find themselves in home territory once again, opening a sold-out show this Friday at Whelan's, and playing alongside FlutterTone at Soundhouse on May 5th. Plus, don’t miss their headline show in Dublin on June 24th at Whelans.

Check out the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine) to catch up on the Y&E Series performances and re-watch Hawke The Band’s Tuesday night livestream.

 

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