The Rags live at Whelan's, Dublin

When it comes to frontmen, I’ve a theory that the best ones make the worst dancers. Think about it: Michael Stipe of REM and his ECT shapes, Paul Noonan’s occasional spurts of discombobulated movement and Thom Yorke’s impersonation of a mortal stricken by Skeletor’s Havoc Staff whilst trying to sing at the same time – it’s the result of a passion which overrides any concern of how one may appear. Which is to be applauded. And not laughed at.
Add to this list Danny Anderson, frontman of The Rags. His moves are captivating, but, as it turns out, nowhere near as captivating as the songs themselves.
The six-piece kick off with the energetic ‘Safari’, end with the one we’ve all been waiting for, the pretty tune of ‘Monsters & I’, and leave no style of rock unturned in between.
Flying from one end of the indie spectrum to the other, nothing they do sounds forced. Their set flows in such a way that you feel they’re capable of supporting Radiohead as comfortably as Enter Shikari, which indeed they are. The set is tight and there’s depth to the songwriting that can be fully appreciated in a live environment. Outstanding.