Live Review: Legends, Icons & Rebels @ The Grand Social

Our photographer Eva Murphy was on hand last night, check out her gallery here.

Yesterday would have marked Rory Gallagher’s 67th birthday had the legend lived to see it and it’s fair to say that he would have been suitably impressed with the celebration of Irish rock music that took place in his honour at The Grand Social last night.

Homegrown alt-rock band Wairwe Land kicked off the night’s festivities with an amped up rendition of The Horslips’ ‘Dearg Doom’ which set the tone of what was to come. Plucky guitars and fast paced playing was the order of the day and Wairwe Land delivered in spades. Guitarist David McCabe kept things fresh with the inspired use of an electric mandolin as they blasted through The Undertones and Thin Lizzy with enough gusto and stage presence that they could have commanded the crowd all night.

The Vagabonds were up next and with a nine piece ensemble including a three piece brass band, they took over the stage in more ways than one. The diverse band proceeded to pay homage to all the greats of Irish rock ‘n’ roll with Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher and Thin Lizzy covers all rousing a rollicking rebel spirit from the receptive crowd. The camaraderie between the band members was evident through out The Vagabonds’ live performance with Nial ‘Nobby’ Brennan’s gritty vocals anchoring the musical blitz that brought the crowd to their feet time and time again.

The Gary Moore Tribute Band capped off the lively evening of Irish music with a medley of Moore hits. Rock ‘n’ roll guitar riffs perfectly complimented the bluesy undertones of songs like ‘King Of The Blues’ and ‘You Don’t Love Me’ while the band’s theatrical bravado contributed to a gelled routine chock full of hooligan soul.

A true celebration of Irish rock 'n' roll confirmed for all in attendance last night that our legends, icons and rebels remain resolute on the Dublin music scene to this day.