Alt-J, live at The Olympia

It’s been a whirlwind year for UK alt. folksters Alt-J, who released their Mercury-winning debut An Awesome Wave last May. Just back from a (very successful) tour of the US, which saw the four-piece take in Coachella, SXSW and a shedload of ginormodomes, they mark the beginning of a European trek with their second gig in Dublin to date.

Quietly stepping out on to the Olympia stage to rapturous applause, the unassuming quartet launch straight into the much-lauded LP.

In a live setting, there’s a lovely intimacy to proceedings – partly due to the fact the band never use backing tracks, opting instead to play everything live. The rich, almost Monk-like harmonies between Joe Newman and Gus Unger-Hamilton add a certain eeriness to the likes of ‘Ms’ and the excellent ‘Dissolve Me’, while crowd fave ‘Something Good’ showcases the nifty drum skills of sticksman Thom Green.

A couple of covers pad out the band’s set, with a Dr. Dre/Kylie Minogue mash-up (yep, you read that right!) providing a nod to the band’s early rap influences. Fantastic stuff!