Maynooth native Nell Mescal cured her homesickness with a powerful sold-out headliner at Whelan’s last night.

The rising star has had a stellar 2023. She’s thus far supported global superstars P!NK and Florence & The Machine, made the stage her own at Electric Picnic and released a host well-received singles.

Now, sitting at a cushy 56k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, a tour across Ireland seemed like a fitting way to draw a busy year to the end.

Coming out to a jammed main room with her band to rapturous applause, the four-piece opened with the ethereal synth-washed ‘Graduating’. The meditations on dysfunctional relationships very much set the thematic tone for the evening, as Mescal’s soaring vocals had the audience gasping in awe.

Nell Mescal at Whelans. Wednesday 13th of December 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

‘Punchline’ swiftly followed, a more upbeat indie-inspired track, the track’s driving drums, and glimmering guitar hooks upped the ante, before the affable heroine had to take a moment for herself.

Emotions were running high as tears welled up in the singer’s eyes. Scanning the room to appreciate an audience consisting of friends, family, and adoring fans - it’s clear that Nell Mescal is a genuine soul and an extremely gracious performer.

Pulling herself together after jokingly scolding the crowd for causing her to sob, the band rallied into the anthemic ‘Favourite’, the audience bellowing back the lines - ‘I stayed awake for this, I stayed awake for you.’

Nell Mescal at Whelans. Wednesday 13th of December 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

A group well able to shift the mood at will, bassist Dave and drummer Meg took a well-earned breather as the stools and guitars came out for an intimate mid-set acoustic session.

Dublin was graced with being host to a world-first Nell Mescal live acoustic guitar performance. With her typical, self-deprecating geniality, she warned the audience that she was likely to mess up.

The end result was anything but botched, as she strummed flawlessly alongside her guitarist Charlie on the yet to be released ‘Electric Picnic’.

In a salute to bassist Dave’s parents who made the journey all the way from England, the pair proceeded to offer a rendition the Joni Mitchell classic ‘Both Sides Now’.

Past met present as Mescal showcased her harrowing vocals, the young performer jesting that she sometimes tells people she wrote the song herself.

Nell Mescal at Whelans. Wednesday 13th of December 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Her rhythm section pals remerged, raising the temperature with a succession of unreleased songs in ‘Yellow Dresser’ and ‘Killing Time’.

Two of Mescal’s biggest hits were saved until the end. ‘Teeth’ was pulsating, as she belted out the infectious choruses interwoven between her disdain for being deceived.

Closing out the set was - perhaps her most well-known number - ‘Homesick’. Endlessly catchy, the theme of  yearning for home was simultaneously fitting and ironic.

“I don’t think that I’ll come back”, belts the singer to a bouncing crowd. Thankfully she did come back, and what a fine return it was.

Nell Mescal and her band are improving at a steadfast pace. Musically they’re tight, with metronomic drumming, melodic guitar solos and driving basslines providing the bedrock for Mescal’s emotionally powered songwriting. Her excellently controlled vocals are immense, with the clever use of subtle reverb and delay creating a massive soundscape.

The tunes themselves are growing in complexity too. From writing stripped-back bedroom ballads, Mescal has developed her craft to mould indie-infused songs which form an energetic live atmosphere, without losing the especial essence of honesty and vulnerability which characterise her artistry.