Live Report: Kojaque's surprise appearance is cherry on top of Soft Boy Records gig in Cork on Saturday

Kojaque surprised fans at an already jam-packed line up, when he appeared as an act at a Soft Boy Records gig Saturday the 28th of October. Yenkee, Five to Two and Kean Kavanagh were the three billed acts for what proved to be a memorable gig.

Soft Boy Records, founded in 2015, has been described as 'a cultural behemoth in its own right, gripping the Irish music scene'. Artists signed to soft boy include founders Kean Kavanagh and Kojaque, but also the likes of Yenkee, GapToof, Brién, Célia Tiab and Five to Two.

Five to Two acted as openers for the night, with their jazzy set up and tight outfit, the group proved to be a suave opener for what transpired to be a chaotic and raucous night. Their hit single 'Song 50,000' served as smooth warm up to get listeners going.

Five to Two at Everyman Theatre gig October 28th. Copyright: Trevor McGrath

Having launched his sophomore album 'PHANTOM OF THE AFTERS' the day previous, Kojaque's surprise set proved to be a guerrilla debut performance of his new material, with audience members up in their seats to hear the Dublin rapper talk about Irish session culture.

 

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The Dublin Rapper delivered new song 'Cabra Drive' to an adoring audience, with members mesmorised by every beat and croon made by Kojaque.

Tag-teaming the performance, Kean Kavanagh came on stage after a short interval, allowing enough time for audience members to rush out, grab a drink and a new Kojaque album from the merch table before sitting back down for a dose of feel good indie rock.

Kean Kavanagh at Everyman Theatre gig October 28th. Copyright: Trevor McGrath

Kavanagh had a comfortable air about him on the stage, with no rush in spite of being sandwiched between two mega musical acts. Fans got the opportunity to hear performance of material from his 2023 EP 'Wrestling Music' which proved to be popular, along with firm favourites such as 'Emma'.

Kavanagh's performance stoked the ashes of the fire Kojaque lit under audience members and kept a certain electricity going for the final act of the Soft Boy Records line-up.

Yenkee swaggered on stage with an ease and reassurance that created an immediate lift in energy. Clean and crisp, the Cork musician acted as a palate cleanser to what a proven a gluttonous night of live music. Like a sorbet after a heavy meal.

Yenkee at Everyman Theatre gig October 28th. Copyright: Trevor McGrath

'Cannibal Tree' served as  Yankee's closer and the ultimate sing song favourite of the night with listeners emulating the doo, doos of the guitar riff and swaying side to side in a happy -go -lucky daze. The Cork singer-song writer side shuffled across the stage with a nonchalance that delighted fans.

Overall, the Soft Boy Records gig at the Everyman Theatre was a rushed but exciting evening of back to back music from some of Ireland's hottest musicians, from the chaotic energy of Kojaque's rallying performance- to the smooth balm that was Yenkee's.