I'll be totally upfront, this Saturday night I was in no mood for a gig.  One of the best bands of the decade was coming to Dublin, and for some reason, I was feeling lethargic and doubted whether they would satisfy me. That was a huge mistake. Smashing my pessimistic expectations on nearly every level, Deerhunter took to Whelans with a deafening set that left me rejuvenated.

Marching on to the stage, frontman Bradford Cox lead his group through a set of their best tunes. Highlights came from songs off of the band's magnum opus Halcyon Digest. Hailed as one of the best records of the decade, it was surreal to see live. 'Helicopter,' one of my all-time favorite tunes, brought a smile to my face (and perhaps a tear to my eye)  and 'Revival' surged along with a punk grit unheard on the original recording.

About halfway through, Cox addressed the crowd. He was clearly having a great night as he joked around. 'There's this band everyone's freaking out about here. What are they called?' The crowd shouted out various acts. 'I think Fontaines.' He continued, 'Great group. But hey, where are the girls in that band? I mean that in a pro-feminist way of course.'

Cox also spoke about Dublin. 'Some of the best shows in our early career were in this very room.' He went on, 'Atlanta (Deerhunter's home) is a lot like Dublin, both overtook by yuppies.'

The band was truly at the peak of their powers. Throughout the set, I looked around at fellow attendees who were shaking in a total trance. Most had their eyes closed, daydreaming it seemed. Utilizing loads of effects, Deerhunter created an escapist experience. In true psychedelic fashion, layers of washed-out noise droned over the band's pop perfection.

After the dust settled, Deerhunter returned to the stage for a triumphant encore. They played fan-favorite cut 'Nothing Ever Happened,' dedicated to their late bassist Josh Fauver who originally wrote the song. All in all, Deerhunter's set made for a transcendental night. My ears are still ringing as I write this live report, but I can't complain. They made my week and reignited my love for the band.

Photo credit: Colm Kelly