Live Report: Alex G shows off multi-instrumental talents at night two of his Vicar Street stint

Vicar Street saw young crowd gather on November 19, eager to witness the comedic antics and muti-instrumental talents of Pennsylvania alternative rock musician Alex G  (Alexander Giannascoli). The Dublin gig came as the final show of his UK/Ireland stint, touring his sound-of-the-summer album Headlights - released this past July.

Much of the crowd appeared to be quite young, arriving with their parents in tow. Remarkably - Giannascoli's first record Race debuted in 2010, probably before most of the Dublin crowd were born. It is no doubt that Tiktok is the reason for Alex G's popularity with a younger audience, with unreleased tracks such as 'Pretend' and 'Break' regularly trending on the app.

The opener for the evening was Bay Area band Sour Widows, who performed a half-hour set of their original indie-rock straight off their debut album Revival Of A Friend. The performance highlighted their guitar-shredding capabilities and melodramatic slowcore sound.

Sour Widows supporting Alex G at Vicar Street on November 18th, 2025. Copyright Grace Swartout/ hotpress.com

At 9pm on the dot, the room turned pitch-black, as the sound of an engine revving drew attention back toward the stage. Towering lights stood at either side, as they blazed blindingly bright like headlights in the distance. Soon enough, Alex G and band had made their big entrance and immediately dove into 'Louisana', an angsty low shoegaze track with tinges of country-gaze influence.

Throughout the show he played fan favourites such as 'June Guitar' and 'Afterlife' off his latest record Headlights.

Headlights dives in to the subject of past reflection directly, comparing life from the perspectives of youth and present adulthood interchangeably. The album also comments on the complexity of fatherhood and love, as Giannascoli's first child was born in 2023 shortly before the alternative-americana record grew legs.

"Let me write down every word / Once I was a mockingbird / Not an angel, but I'm your man / I can bring you back, again," he sang on 'Afterlife'.

He also performed hit single 'Runner', off his US Billboard Charting album God Save The Animals which gave the audience chills. The song is playful in nature - but honest, as Alex G never fails to present an earnest underdog anthem that treads the line between melancholy and optimistic.

Throughout the first half of the concert the audience was kept on their toes by smooth song transitions. The stage lighting was extravagant and unexpected, but at times overpowering, as the luminosity took away from the music itself.

Alex G at Vicar Street on November 18th, 2025. Copyright Grace Swartout/ hotpress.com

As with any Alex G live show, the singer brought his own flare to the performance, showcasing his usual comedic and erratic vocals, including a metal rendition of 'Carol Of The Bells' - a unique interpretation of the nativity story. He noted his parents were also there to enjoy the show.

The singer-songwriter's chemistry with the rest of his band made the concert feel intimate even in a capacity of nearly 1,000, with a humour and warmth that made it all feel like stumbling into a garage band practice.

It can't go unsaid that the gig felt long, as the band dragged through a second hour of the set and announced nearly every track as "the final song". It's understandable that the group wanted to play for as long as they could for the final show of the tour.

There seemed to be a good rapport between Giannascoli and his audience for the most part, though at times it felt a bit parasocial, as some song requests translated more as requests.

Alex G closed off the evening with his final track 'Sarah', the hit bonus track off his fourth studio album Trick, often considered the turning point in his career due to its success. The song offered the young audience an account of the guilt that plagues adolescent life.

As the final notes of 'Sarah' hung in the air, Giannascoli accepted it was time for the curtain to close, thanked the audience and disappeared in to the wings.