Live Report: Dean Lewis dazzles Electric Picnic with heart-rending belters

Dean Lewis took the Electric Arena stage to a full crowd that stretched all the way to the back, and then some. One by one, punters descended on the tent to catch the Aussie sonic heartbreaker in person.

Lewis kept his stage set-up simple: an acoustic guitar, piano, and small band, but filled the stage with his supernova vocals and charming performance presence. The Aussie singer-songwriter played an endless stream of belters and viral hits, constantly keeping the audience engaged throughout, peppering in very faithful covers of Taylor Swift’s 'Cruel Summer' and Coldplay's 'Yellow', allowing everyone to sing along, regardless of their familiarity with his discography. The covers not only enthused the crowd but also showcased different sides of his musicality, featuring both traditional pop and grittier vocals.

Dean Lewis initially shot to fame with his blend of easy, relatable melancholia and while his songs may lean towards sadness, the smile on his face belied the love he has for his work and his fans. At his Electric Picnic set, not to mention his first Irish festival slot, Lewis cemented himself as a singer-songwriter that's here to stay.

Standouts include the failed date anthem, '7 minutes', as well as 'Hurtless'. But none of these topped the mammoth viral hit, 'Be Alright', which the crowd belted word for word much to Lewis' delighted surprise, He bid everyone goodbye, expressing his gratitude for their warm reception, before an emotionally spent crowd left the venue to dry their tears in the cool Stradbally air.