NYE Three Countdown Concert Review

With a misty rain cloud settled above Dublin, 12,000 people made their way to College Green for the Three Countdown Concert - a sold out show with a lineup including The Whereabouts, Walking On Cars, The Dublin Legends, James Vincent McMorrow and Kodaline.

Despite the miserable weather, the crowd were in high spirits as Walking On Cars took to the stage. An upbeat performance of 'Hand In Hand' and chart-topper 'Catch Me If You Can' rounded out a successful year for the Kerry band. “Thanks for sticking with us through the cold” frontman Patrick Sheehy remarked before they left the stage for the Dublin Legends, who transformed the damp concert into a singalong trad session as they kicked things up a notch with the classics ‘Irish Rover’ and ‘Whiskey In The Jar’.

As James Vincent McMorrow took to the stage, the clouds were beginning to clear. Having set a rather high standard for himself following his stunning Electric Picnic performance, the Dubliner didn’t seem in the least bit daunted by the task at hand. Opening with fan favourite ‘We Don’t Eat’, his setlist consisted predominantly of songs drawn from Post Tropical with the odd Early In The Morning track sprinkled throughout.

Through his harmonic tones and quiet, personable stage presence McMorrow had the audience in the palm of his hand, with ‘Breaking Hearts’ and ‘Higher Love’ inspiring mass singalongs from the increasingly rowdy crowd.

The biggest reception of the night however went to Kodaline as they arrived onstage at 11.45. With the crowd belting back the lyrics to ‘One Day’ and ‘Love Like This’ the band were in their element, as lead singer Steve Garrigan remarked ‘it’s so great to be here in Dublin, where we’re from”.

As it neared midnight the band departed and MC’s Kathryn Thomas and Paddy McKenna took to the stage to count down the seconds with the crowd. Following a short burst of fireworks and a round of Happy New Years, Kodaline reappeared, champagne in hand, and kicked off 2015 with their new single ‘Honest’.

As Garrigan took to the piano, a passionate rendition of ‘High Hopes’ stole the show as the singer remarked, “that’s some beautiful singing Dublin”.

Closing the show with ‘All I Want’ and an electrifying light display, Kodaline gave it their all and then some. As the last chord played out, the crowd, satisfied with 2014’s send off gave Kodaline an equally big one, before departing for the rest of the night and the rest of the new year.