Live Report: Gurriers rip the roof off of Whelan's

After touring the UK and Europe with their debut album Come and See, Gurriers played to a sold out crowd in Whelan's on Tuesday night in Dublin.

Grunge band Affection to Rent and DIY slouch rocker Skinner warmed us up, as the venue filled to the brim with Dublin post punk fans.

Skinner supporting Gurriers at Whelan's / copyright Patrik Meier/hotpress.com

Gurriers consists of Dan Hoff, Charlie McCarthy, Ben O’Neill, Pierce Callaghan and Mark MacCormick, and they have big things coming their way. After finishing a 34-date European and UK tour this week, the band were added to the lineup for All Together Now, as well as Truck Festival in Oxfordshire, where they will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Kasabian and Nothing But Thieves. It was also revealed this week that they'll be joining KNEECAP alongside Gemma Dunleavy in Fairview Park this June.

The five-piece marched out to an entrance theme of Franki Valli's ‘Can't take my Eyes off You’. The crooning tones juxtaposed somewhat with the musicians' vibe, as they arrived onstage like wrestlers to a ring, guns-a-blazing'.

The energy in the venue was other worldly and the room filled from corner to corner as they fired into their track ‘Nausea’. The siren noises drove the crowd mental and frontman Dan picked up on this instantly, egging us on by saying, “Alright lets go fucking mad then ye?.”

Gurriers at Whelan's /copyright Patrik Meier/hotpress.com

The crowd was as insane throughout. There wasn’t a dry brow in the house, and I could guarantee you that there isn’t a Gurriers fan without a bruised elbow or two today. With limbs flying around the shop, frontman Dan urged the crowd to be careful on more than one occasion, “Enjoy yourselves, but if anyone falls pick them up”.

Lacerating guitar tones enveloped the socially charged lyrics of “modern problems”, which highlight themes of violence, youth and class divides.

The band played their debut album Come and See in full, as well as their new track ‘Dissolve’. The tunes showcased varied influences of noise rock and dance punk, while tracks such as ‘Prayers’ displayed Dan’s phenomenal vocal abilities.

Gurriers at Whelan's /copyright Patrik Meier/hotpress.com

Drummer Pierce Callaghan took his post wearing a t-shirt with the faces of Bobby Sands and Che Guevara, in line with the band’s politically charged ethos. Newcomer Charlie McCarthy meanwhile, was stellar on bass, joining the crowd repeatedly, splitting it clean through the middle. Having joined the band in February, he already appears to be part of the furniture. His kilt and eyeliner gives an aesthetic variety to the band, underlining the message that anything goes when it comes to Gurriers.

This was also evident with diversity of the fanbase, the crowd was filled with people of all ages, from teenagers in the thick of it to over 60’s enjoying from the balcony.

Gurriers songs sum up what it’s like to be a young person living in Ireland in this day and age, with tracks about “fascist leaders”, desensitisation to violence on social media, and the mass immigration of young people.

‘Dipping Out’ was dedicated to friends who have moved to London, Australia and Europe in hopes for better opportunities. A common feeling of understanding and anger was present throughout the audience during the song, and the environment allowed fans to let off some steam by shouting back “This town has gone to the dogs”.

Gurriers at Whelan's /copyright Patrik Meier/hotpress.com

During ‘Top of The Bill’, Dan kept the crowd going, saying: “We will dance with you, if you dance with us,” before jumping into the pit mid-song and somehow managing to deliver every word with aplomb. In many ways he's the ideal frontman, throwing himself around and necking cans of Moretti. Like a post-punk Clark Kent, his nice guy image disappears as soon as the glasses come off. He summed it up when he spoke with Hot Press in August - “Everyone always says, ‘You’re Gurriers – but you’re very nice guys! And I am a nice guy, but I’m definitely angry…”

The band dedicated ‘Unapproachable’ to “all of the fascists that were in Ireland a few years ago”, referencing right-wing extremism that has become rampant online since the pandemic. Dan's passion for the cause was evident, as he urged us to “kick the fuckers out” when voting on Friday.

The night wrapped up with ‘Come and See’, the title track from their debut album. The five-piece shared knowing glances and smiles, and Dan expressed his appreciation for the Dublin crowd, acknowledging that they were the best yet on tour.

Gurriers know how to put on a show and get a crowd to go absolutely mental. They are simply a must see live, and I cant wait to see what is to come for the noise makers.

You can catch Gurriers Come and See tour on November 28 in Galway's Róisín Dubh, before they conclude in Cork with a sold-out show in Coughlan's bar.