Live Report: Men I Trust enchant Dublin audience at The National Stadium

Having already released two acclaimed studio albums this year, and with a support run for Billie Eilish lined up for November, Quebec indie trio Men I Trust are in full stride as they arrive in Dublin for two nights at The National Stadium.

Their music is often described as ‘indie dream pop’, but simple categorisation would be a disservice. The Montreal-based band weave elements from R&B, Rock, Funk, Jazz and Lo-Fi into their lush, distinctive soundscapes, comparable to the likes of Beach House. Their lyrics often carry themes of romance, relationships and the complexities of intimacy.

The evening begins with soft Bossa Nova-influenced serenades from British singer Liana Flores, whose breakout hit 'Rises the Moon' blew up on TikTok and accumulated over 790 million streams on Spotify. It's a song that deserves every second of doom-scroll attention that it gets, with its powerful lyrics about self reassurance when faced with change, and its gentle guitar melodies.

As the supporting act, she doesn't disappoint. Her light yet powerful vocals, carried by a phenomenal band, make for fantastic listening in a live setting.

The lights dim once more, as ambient sounds creep through the darkened venue, transitioning into 'To Ease You', the opening track from Equus Caballus. Tender guitar riffs and bright vocals set a tone of sensuality, eliminating the distance between audience and performer.

Emmanuelle Proulx’s vocals hold up in person. Polished and pure, she balances singing and guitar-playing with apparent ease, her slow and bright indie riffs adding rich texture and depth. Guitarist Jessy Caron delivers an array of funky solos throughout the night. Keyboardist Dragos Chiriac adds shimmering layers of synths and ambient tones that complete the band’s ethereal sound. On stage, they seem as comfortable as they would be while practicing in their rehearsal rooms, making even the most outlandish riffs look natural.

They’re joined by touring members Eric Maillet and Alexis on drums and bass respectively. The band is in top form: shifting from slow, smooth R&B sounds to high energy, rock-infused jams. The lighting design mirrors those changes beautifully. It’s dim and moody for somber moments, and vibrant and bright as the tempo rises.

'The Better Half' stands out. It opens with slow, menacing tension that erupts into an explosive burst of energy, like a sudden blow to the face. The growling synths and low, punchy guitar riffs and mellow vocals make for one of the night’s most cathartic moments.

With the show coming to a close, 'Show Me How' arrives like a quiet victory lap. It's by far their most well-known song, and it blends seamlessly into the set, reminding everyone how deep their catalogue runs.

Answering their fans' prayers for more, the band returns for a euphoric encore. They perform 'Worn Down' and 'Billie Toppy (2025)', two of their more rock-influenced songs from Equus Caballus. A true high energy send off.

As the crowd spills out into the cold Dublin night, the satisfaction is palpable, with fans already reminiscing about a night they won’t soon forget.