A warm Wednesday night at Workman’s Club complete with six musical acts, two stages and a sparkling disco ball: what more could you ask for?

Night two of The Next Big Thing Festival, a four-day affair presented by Ex Oh Promotions, brought Wednesday enthusiasts a superbly curated lineup of Dublin’s finest up-and-comers.

Kicking off the night on the mainstage was Sweet Jane, a young five-piece brimming with talent and potential. Led by vocalist Maja Chiara, the band dove into a dreamy version of ‘Poisoned Thoughts,’ pumping energy into a previously lifeless room as curious onlookers joined the crowd.

Seamlessly transitioning into ‘Stained Glass,’ a perfectly executed “sad girl pop” anthem for those of us who have felt the sting of a relationship turned sour, Sweet Jane captivated audiences with youthful excitement.

Credit: Bailey Shropshire

“If you’re a boy please scream!” Chiara cried after a “not so sweet” rendition of ‘Oh Honey.’ “One thing about boys is… they will be,” she continued, introducing the band’s next tune in a manner reminiscent of Taylor Swift. “This song is called ‘Boys will be Boys’!” Chiara’s soft yet powerful voice rang through the venue, bolstered with tender backing vocals from keyboardist Chiara Giannini.

As their set drew to a close, Chiara asked the crowd, “Who here is familiar with Hozier? Who knows ‘Work Song’?” Met with claps of excitement, Chiara laughed to herself, adding, “If ‘Work Song’ were pasta what would it be?” While the ensuing debate had little to do with the band’s upcoming cover of ‘Take Me To Church,’ the playful banter between stage and floor drained any remaining reserve from the room, and Chiara belted out the challenging song alongside elated audience members, finding joy and comfort in the iconic 2013 hit. Sweet Jane is certainly one to watch as the year continues, their indie bedroom pop melodies infused with personality and emotion.

Credit: Bailey Shropshire

Second on the night’s roster was Kate Dineen, a Kerry native comparable to Madi Diaz and backed by a “shiny new” three-piece band of guitar, drums and bass.

Dineen, a finance worker turned singer-songwriter, opened the night with a comic disclaimer: “I do have a day job… and it’s in finance. Unfortunately for you and me, it is making its way into my songwriting. This first one is called ‘Invest.’”

Armed with an acoustic guitar and poetic lyrics, Dineen allowed her frustrations, hopes and disappointments to unfold before an eager audience. Her mature tone and comfortable stance put the audience at ease, transitioning from youthful energy to calm attentiveness as she combined intricate melodies with introspective lyrics.

Dineen went on to play her latest release entitled ‘doomscrolling,’ an all-too-real analysis of “how we kinda live two lives: one in the real world and one on social media.” A highlight of the night, Dineen’s spot-on vocals as she cried out “We’re praying for the rain” touched audience members on a personal level.

While there was an air of distance between Dineen and the band, likely stemming from their recent formation, the foursome delivered each song perfectly, allowing Dineen’s warm vocals and soft guitar to shine atop the fullness of a band.

The songwriter’s set peaked with ‘Good Guys,’ which she dedicated to a sexist guitar shop owner who she had failed to stand up to years ago. The uptempo tune dripped with comic sarcasm, featuring a slight country twang as Dineen sang, “You’re one of the good guys, one of the heroes. You go around saving me from myself.”

The set came to a close with a heartbreaking track from Dineen’s 2023 EP Unfolding entitled ‘Sorry,’the songwriter’s expertly crafted lyrics soaring to the forefront.

Credit: Bailey Shropshire

Wrapping up the night and returning to the Workman’s stage for a second time was Irish six-piece Foinse. Blending indie-soul with groovy R&B, the Dublin-based group stole the night, finding a modern sound within 60’s inspired funk.

Foinse wasted no time onstage, blaring to life as vocalist Shannon Watson took to the mic for ‘Use Your Mind,’ her impressive belts and beautifully controlled riffs ringing through the speakers. “Our songs are quite groovy,” she said, “so we wanna see your dance moves for some of them.”

The band’s presence lit up the stage, each of them invested and connected to the music, having fun as they played with one another.

Credit: Bailey Shropshire

The group’s latest release, ‘Somebody New,’ was a well-written and innovative take on a conversation between friends. “You know when your friends don’t like that lad that you're seeing, but you don’t really know why,” said Watson. “This is that conversation.”

Filled with energy and heart signs, the band played for their own enjoyment first and the audience second, giving the performance a new life. Their connection was undeniable during ‘Up to You,’ a bluesy tune filled with syncopation and intricate rhythm with not a beat out of place.

Foinse brought the night to a close with crowd favorite ‘Money Man.’ “We’re gonna have a party with this one!” Watson cried as the band surged to life. A disco ball, which until that moment had been dimly tucked away, descended above the dancing crowd, casting sparkling light along the walls and bringing the night to an end.