Tweeting, "DUBLIN! We have arrived," Mark Oliver Everett's Eels are raring to go for the fifth night of their twice postponed Lockdown Hurricane Tour – and so is their Dublin audience.

Having released two studio albums since their last Irish appearance, the setlist for the night focuses mainly on 2022's Extreme Witchcraft and 2020's Earth To Dora.

Frontman and founder Mark Oliver Everett, known by the stage name E, is dressed impeccably, wearing a pristine white shirt, blue velvet blazer and matching dickie bow, topped off with some hobnail boots. Rocking out to tracks like 'Peach Blossom' and ‘My Beloved Monster’ it's hard to believe this guy turns 60 next week.

"That was a lot for us! We should probably pace ourselves," he says, poking fun at his age. "Our band doctor is making us all wear Apple watches to track our daily exercise. We all have daily exercise goals that must be achieved by the end of the day."

Behind the band a screen flashes the words 'Exercise goal achieved’. According to E, their therapist stresses, "It's important to share your achievements with your friends for positive reinforcement."

The indie star's self-deprecating humour is met with laughter a standup comic would be proud of. He holds the audience in the palm of his hand. Moving seamlessly from lighter, pop melodies to the more delicate melancholic numbers like 'I Need Some Sleep' and 'Who You Say You Are,' Eels Irish fans are relishing every moment of this long-awaited night.

Eels at 3Olympia Theatre on March 31st, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Met with the warm welcome of a well-worn hit, 2020' s ‘Anything For Boo’ gets a lively reaction from the audience as they sing along playfully to this quintessential Eels pop melody.

Some gentle guitar picking hushes the eager crowd within seconds as they identify a stand-out ballad, and a personal favourite, 'It's a Motherfucker.' A song that encapsulates their music perfectly – a blend of crude and deeply vulnerable lyrics brought together with beautiful, moving music.

Beating a large tambourine, E treats us to a cover of The Kinks' ‘You Really Got Me’, with indistinct alternative lyrics.

Although the band are dressed in silver grey tailored suits and deliver effortlessly sweet harmonies, with their thumping bass and electrifying guitar riffs Eels are undoubtedly a true rock band.

You can hear the crowd sing every word over their loud, scuzzy guitars for 'Novocaine For The Soul' the opening track of their debut album. It's not the easiest song to dance to but the crowd nods steadily, shouting the lyrics, "Jesus and his lawyer/ Are coming back!"

With his dark humour and distinctive raspy vocals, Mark Oliver Everett is one of the most unique frontmen of his generation.

Let's hope we don't have to wait another five years to see him play in Ireland.

Eels at 3Olympia Theatre on March 31st, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com