Live Report: Picture This dazzle at Dublin's 3Arena

The 3Arena’s favourite Kildare four-piece is finally back. Picture This are no strangers to the venue having made history in 2018 when they became the first-ever band to sell out five dates in the iconic Dublin venue.

Since then the band has gone from strength to strength - selling out stadiums, headlining Electric Picnic’s main stage twice and most recently, sold-out their first European underplay tour in 20 minutes.

On a surprisingly pleasant evening in late October, Dublin’s 3Arena fills up with fans old and new. People of all ages from around the country have gathered tonight to see Picture This for their first headline show in the venue since 2019.

It’s not long until supporting act Tom Gregory gets the ball rolling as he charms the crowd with his folky pop tunes.

England’s Eurovision 2022 entry, Sam Ryder takes the stage and wows everyone with his unbelievable vocals, not to mention his beautiful long blonde hair. Dublin gives Ryder a very warm welcome.

Sam Ryder supporting Picture This at 3Arena. Wednesday 25th of October 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Before the main event, two Irish DJs under the pseudonym Volleyball play a few chart toppers to keep the good vibes going.

Now for the moment fans have been waiting for. Frontman Ryan Hennessy, drummer Jimmy Rainsford, guitarist Owen Cardiff and bassist Cliff Dean take to the stage.

They start off strong, giving the audience a taste of their more recent sound, opening with ‘Red Lights’. Up next is ‘Things Are Different’ from their most recent album Life in Colour. “Dublin, Dublin, Dublin” Ryan nods, as we're transported back to 2018. Nostalgia fills the arena as fans celebrate the classic, ‘When We Were Young’.

They keep the 2018 memories coming with their heartbreak hit ‘This Morning’. Lit by a single spotlight, Hennessy really shows off his vocal capabilities. Bringing the mood back up, the band launch into their sweet love song, ‘Winona Ryder’.

Hennessy chats to the crowd as he takes in the moment before they play ‘One Night’: “Are you having a good time tonight? I know you are, I can feel it.” He continues, “We haven’t played the 3Arena in a long time but this is our home. This is our home venue. You are our home people.”

He then takes a minute to introduce the band, notably “the most handsome, charismatic, best dressed” person in the room. “Ryan f***ing Hennessy,” in his own words.

Picture This at 3Arena. Wednesday 25th of October 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

They play a few more tracks from their 2021 album, Life in Colour. ‘Addict of Magic’, ‘Unconditional’ and ‘LA House Party’. Sandwiched between these tunes is a track from their 2017 album. OG fans are quick to sing along to ‘Jane’.

Emotions are high as the band stare out to the home crowd as they perform ‘Ireland’– a love letter to home. With a tricolour flag in hand, Hennessy serenades the Dublin crowd.

“Thank you so much for getting us here,” Ryan says, hand on heart. “This one's for the OG fans,” he explains before belting out ‘You & I’. Following in Matty Healy’s footsteps, the frontman marches up to Owen Clifford and gives him a smooch on the mouth during the song. The crowd don’t get a break from singing their hearts before ‘Never Change’.

‘One Drink’ is the only song they play from MDRN LOVE,  followed by their most recent single, ‘Leftover Love’. “We have been testing it out to see which crowd sings it the best and I have a sneaky feeling it’s going to be you”

“I’ve always wanted to be in the crowd for a Picture This gig,” Ryan admits. “Especially for this song,” he says before ‘Addicted to You’. They “finish the set” with the emotional ‘Song to Myself’. You know the drill. The band run off stage as the crowd patiently wait for the encore.

Picture This at 3Arena. Wednesday 25th of October 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The lads give fans a “Dublin exclusive” with the title track from the upcoming album Parked Car Conversations, followed by the Picture This classic, ‘Take My Hand’.

For those of you who missed this glorious homecoming show, Picture This return to the 3Arena again tonight, so don't miss out.

Tickets are available from http://www.ticketmaster.ie