Live Report: Spearside at Whelan's

The iconic Whelan's of Camden Street has often served as a fertile gig space for Irish bands looking to cut their teeth in the capital. Amidst the chattering of music lovers and onlooking posters of past performers, the upstairs stage was graced by exciting Meath rockers Spearside on Saturday night, returning to the very venue they sold out earlier this year.

With hues of thrashing Ty Segall-inspired garage rock and early 2000s pop-punk hooks, their high-octane performance showed that frontman Oisin Walsh, his bassist brother Cian and drummer Dylan Zovich are worthy torch bearers for Irish rock n roll.

Spearside at Whelan's Ones To Watch on January 7th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring- hotpress.com

After a promising live debut from Dublin support act Old Sport, Spearside began their set with the energetic 'Passion Merchant', before segueing into the raunchy 'Remember, No Regrets’. Their fuzzed-up new single 'Trendsetters' also found its first live appearance early on.

Highlights included 'Not Up to Much', with its self-deprecating lyrics and '60s era psychedelic guitar solos, the Ramones-esque 'Bus-stop' and the reflective single 'Crack in Your Brain'.

Stamina met expert musicianship as the band stitched together seamless medleys of three or four songs without interruption. The performance was bursting with breakdowns and extended guitar solos, anchored by metronomic bass and drums.

A raw display that was simultaneously frenetic and controlled, the live iterations of Spearside’s songs are evidently well-rehearsed. They don’t fall into the trap of feeling robotic either, maintaining that sense of spontaneity which all good live shows should.

Singer and guitarist Oisin Walsh commanded the stage with fire and fervour, and the band's passion and commitment to their craft shone brightly – bringing an energy that should have been met with a sold-out crowd.

Old Sport leader Frank Collins was invited back on stage to lend a hand in closing the set and there was a palpable synergy between the bands. Blasting their renditions of 'Big Sky' by the Kinks and 'Song of a Baker' by Small Faces, Collins' excellent lead guitar playing added another dimension to the rhythmically watertight main act.

Hard-hitting, fast-paced punk with some modern sensibilities, Spearside are a power-trio to keep an eye and an ear on.

For more information on the band you can read their recent interview with Hot Press here.

Spearside at Whelan's Ones To Watch on January 7th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring- hotpress.com