Dark Room Notes, live at the Grand Social

Fresh from the release of their self-titled follow-up to the Choice Music nominated We Love You Dark Matter, Dark Room Notes have been widely touted as hot up-and-comers for some time now.

Dublin-based Ronan Gaughan, Ruairi Ferrie and Arran Murphy look a little out of place together at first glance, Gaughan and Ferrie’s skinny-jeans and slim silhouette contrasting with Murphy’s brighter, more ostentatious style - but when they start playing it doesn’t matter. A guitar, drum-machine and vocals/synths from all three members blend seamlessly, making it difficult not to think of those who braved the rain tonight as the enlightened few.

It’s a short and concise eight-song set, mostly from the new album, and the trio start well - really hitting their stride around midway through, with ‘Baby Don’t Hurt Me’, sampling Haddaway’s 1993 classic ‘What Is Love?’. The crowd’s obvious familiarity with the track helps the band settle and things only get better from here, with 'Jumpstart' and 'Pinecone' getting an equally warm reaction. 'An Alignment Parts 1 & 2' round out the set, finishing off a solid and entertaining performance.