Live Report: Cork indie bands take Fred Zeppelins by storm

Heading to a gig during a red weather warning may be unwise, uncomfortable, and unsafe - but it's not unjustifiable. It was Friday night after all, and Fred Zeppelins was the place to be, a fact made clear as soon as the three Cork bands in the lineup - Gorilla Gorilla, Essence of Blue, and MDR - plugged in their instruments. The venue’s narrow walls pulsed with music and the audience followed suit, creating a rock and roll refuge.

Gorilla Gorilla opened their set with a cover of 'Black Sheep' by Metric, a track immortalised by the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. This choice set the tone for the rest of the night, invoking a wave of nostalgia for the grunge and alternative rock scenes of the ’90s. The five-piece electrocuted all with their live wire performance.

Gorilla Gorilla at Fred Zeppelins.

Essence of Blue are ones to watch. Matthew Bertone on drums was animated and engaging ,while Grainne Browne, on vocals and lead guitar, was the epitome of cool, with her fluid movements and swaying hair. Hugh Levis on bass kept things grounded with his concentrated look, anchoring the band’s energy.

Standout moments included their cover of the Beatles’ 'Come Together' and their original tune, 'Cannonball', which invited the audience to join to create a haunting, layered effect. This closing song was all spectacle, including a mid-performance drumstick toss from Matthew to Hugh, who caught it and continued playing without missing a single note.

As the cliché goes, when it rains, it pours—and MDR brought a torrential energy to the stage.

This four-member group made waves during their recent Movember performance at Cypress Avenue. With a sound drawing inspiration from The Strokes and Oasis, their music delivered catchy choruses and emotional belts, such as in 'Days of Grace'. K O’Regan’s voice remains impossible to forget, pervasive like the downpour going on outside.

Together, MDR created a set that felt both raw and polished, channeling the indelible energy of their influences while carving out a sound distinctly their own.

Don’t fret if you missed Friday’s gig, Gorilla Gorilla and Essence of Blue will be back for another performance at Fred Zeppelins on Thursday, December 5. Do yourself a favour and go, rain or shine.

• Live Report by Emily Mayo.

MDR at Fred Zeppelins