Razorlight live at the RDS Arena, Dublin

Regrettably, Noel Fielding from The Mighty Boosh is not around to introduce Johnny Borrell and co. tonight (a role he fulfilled at Razorlight's Alexandra Palace show a few years ago), and so we don't get to enjoy the sight of the comedian terrifying yet another group of fans in the guise of his dark and twisted character, The Hitcher (who has done more than anyone else to re-introduce the phrase "You love it, you slags!" into the popular lexicon).
Instead, by way of build-up, we get an extended drum intro to 'In The Morning' before the band properly kick into the song, which is one of their best, and gets the show off to a flying start. Unfortunately, a couple of negative aspects quickly become apparent. The first is that this venue, which is basically a warehouse with a stage at one end, isn't particularly suited to a rock show. The second is that the band, aside from some perfunctory lighting effects and intermittent projections at the back of the stage, haven't really made many concessions to the fact that they are now playing large arenas.
Their saving graces are the fact that their repertoire contains so many singalong-friendly, fists-in-the-air anthems, and that Borrell, when the mood takes him, is a compelling frontman. Clad in his iconic uniform of white vest and jeans, he steps out from behind the mic-stand during a rousing 'Los Angeles Waltz', and struts and preens across the stage, putting one in mind of a young Mick Jagger. Equally impressive takes on 'I Can Stop This Feeling I've Got' and 'Who Needs Love' follow, before Johnny offers a few words as gaeilge ("Go raibh maith agat!") and plays the opening notes of the wonderful 'America'.
The group also display formidable musical chops during 'In The City', which morphs into a powerful, bluesy jam. The Swedish contingent in the band, as if to disprove those rumours that they secretly think their singer is the Antichrist, even manage to look like they're enjoying themselves, with guitarist Bjorn Agren donning a Stetson and bassist Carl Dalemo putting on a ridiculous pink hat, which Borrell eventually steals and throws into the audience.
The singer himself ends the song draped in an Irish tricolour, much to the delight of the crowd. Overall, it has to be acknowledged that Razorlight, despite their limitations, have actually put on a very enjoyable show.