Live Report : Madra Salach bring a ghoulish twist on trad to Workman's gig

From the opening notes, it was clear: Madra Salach are on the precipice of greatness. The packed downstairs of Workman's Club was the setting for this intimate reunion, offering a glimpse of the band at their core.

As their Spotify description reads "They were six young lads who became best friends." They also happen to make incredible music -a fact that shines brightest in their live performances.

This rapidly rising band are quickly making a name for themselves in Ireland. High demand led them to announce a surprise third show for their Workman’s Club run, announced the morning of.

The band have enjoyed widespread success over the past year, with their acclaimed debut EP, It’s A Hell Of An Age, peaking at No. 3 on the Irish Album Charts and No. 1 on the Irish Independent Album charts.

The night began with an opening set by their very own band member, Mountain Runner, otherwise known as Jack Lawlor. Amidst the noisy, crowded venue, Lawlor commanded silence from the first verse. Once confined to the now-forgotten Workman's cellar, Lawlor now sat alone on stage, sharing deeply emotional renditions of folk songs with controlled vocals that lingered long after he was finished.

Madra Salach at The Workmans Club on April 15th, 2026. Copyright Patrik Meier/www.hotpress.com

Madra Salach took the stage as Snoop Dogg's 'Young Wild and Free' played, a soundtrack that immediately underscored their chaotic and carefree energy, a detail easily forgotten when they’re deep into their more serious music.

Being in the crowd felt like being part of the best inside joke. The automatic warmth between these friends was palpable. Between deep trad ballads, the stage seemed to revert to a casual band rehearsal.

They kicked off their set with 'Blue and Gold' and 'Spancil Hill,' a showcase of their unique blend of trad and alternative music. While traditional elements evoked a warmth and nostalgia that transported the audience back in time, the alternative elements, driven home by strong guitar and booming drums injected a new sound into the music. Live, the music is electrifying, with strong instrumentals swelling between lyrics and frontman Paul Banks throwing himself into the performance, his voice leading the charge.

Madra Salach at The Workmans Club on April 15th, 2026. Copyright Patrik Meier/www.hotpress.com

Their cover of Sean Kean’s 'Tunnel Tigers' transformed the traditional song into a grungy, rock-filled anthem, pulsing with anger, oppression, and emotion that left the audience hungry for more. There cover of Neutral Milk Hotel’s 'In The Aeroplane Over the Sea,' lightened the atmosphere and proved to be another crowd favorite.

Slowing the set down with a new hit from their EP, they performed their beloved cover, 'Murphy Can Never Go Home.' This emotional ballad embodied the spirit of trad, allowing the band’s storytelling ability to shine in the set's more quiet moments.

Audience interactions provided a welcome levity, pausing and interrupting serious moments, with a playful comment from the band: “We’re making lots of money now so we get a guy to uphold the seriousness of the situation whenever is needed.”

The band is also set to appear on 20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan, a tribute album featuring Hozier, Bruce Springsteen and more. Following the setlist release that day, they treated the audience to their new cover of 'Turkish Song of the Damned.'

As Banks described the rendition of this song was “a maritime misadventure with a ghoulish twist.” With the intricate sound of the mandolin providing a distinctively haunting texture, it was exactly that.

"Shane and the Pogues are a huge influence on us and we definitely wouldn't exist without Shane's work," Banks explained.

The night concluded with their hit, 'A Man Who Seeks Pleasure.' As the crowd sang along to every word, the band’s faces reflected that this was more than just a good performance; it was the start of something big for Madra Salach. A sold-out surprise show, an unyielding roar of laughter and applause, and musicians boasting talent and personality, Madra Salach is rapidly sweeping up Ireland, and they should be prepared to take on more.

Madra Salach at The Workmans Club on April 15th, 2026. Copyright Patrik Meier/www.hotpress.com