Live Report: M(h)aol return to SXSW in 2025 reinvigorated

With the lineup departures from M(h)aol, there will inevitably be changes to the band’s live performances. It’s impossible to replace the former frontperson, Róisín Nic Ghearailt. A worldly talent with unstoppable magnetic energy. Easily one of the most charismatic singers of any Irish band of the last decade.

However, a key element that remains ingrained in the group is their ability to charm any audience. The current members may not be as ebullient as Róisin, yet, their wit is equally as enchanting.

Previewing tracks from their upcoming second full-length album, Something Soft.

Their set includes the new single, ‘DM:AM’. A track dealing with the harsh realities of men DM’ing women, and subsequently, becoming aggressive and threatening when they don’t get the response they demand.

Singer and drummer, Constance Keane, introduces the next song, ‘E8/N16’, explaining, “it’s a list of generic English boys names from the London area codes on Hinge”. The band also make the demand that someone better be from London before they start playing the song. Alas, one hand raises up sheepishly from the back of the venue. Indeed, if you possess a basic name like Jack or Harry, you made it in.

Between songs, and during equipment tuning, M(h)aol have the crowd cackling. Whether it’s the warning of two dead dog songs approaching in the setlist or Constance conflicted that she used concealer to cover her sunburn from the roaring Texas sun. Musing, we are a feminist band, is it anti-feminist to care about sunburn on your chest?

Though there were plenty of laughs throughout the show, M(h)aol’s final song was a harrowing account of what it’s like to be a woman trying to perform simple actions. ‘Pursuit’, details the reality of walking home at night as a woman. An everyday mundane task many of us take for granted. As the track builds in menace, Keane’s voice becomes more and more frantic and fearful, as she belts out the lyrics, “I thought about it all/ I thought the shoes I’m wearing would help me runaway from you/ who are you anyway, is it you, is it you?”

The commitment, and reality of the performance was utterly terrifying and left the crowd shaken to their core.

@gigsnotpigsM(h)aol #band #live #ireland #sxsw #gig #austin #texas #irish #punk #guitar #concert #rock #fyp♬ original sound - GigsNotPigs -

M(h)aol are not the same band that came to SXSW in 2023, they may now be even better.

Something Soft, is set for release on May 16 via Merge Records.

Check out the full list of Irish live dates below:

May 28- The Black Box, Belfast
May 29- Sandinos, Derry
May 30- The Roisin Dubh, Galway
May 31- Kasbah Social Club, Limerick
June 1 & 2- Coughlans, Cork
June 3- Luca Records and Decks, Waterford
June 4- Whelan’s, Dublin