Dublin-based outfit Post-Party delivered a sold out gig in Workman’s last Friday (May 12th), cementing their "up and coming" status in style.

Formed in 2018 after a roll call mixup between band members Matthew and Keelan, who share the same surname, Post-Party have been earning a reputation for themselves in the Irish music industry, scoring gigs like Electric Picnic and Indiependence. The band have been on the rise ever since, with headline performances in Dublin and Belfast ahead of the debut of their first EP, We’re Not Getting Any Younger.

Opening first for Post-Party was Iona, lead singer of The Cliffords, a three-piece indie-rock band from Cork. Performing solo on Friday night, she created an ethereal atmosphere with her bewitching, sombre sound. Performing her single, ‘Empty’ she amiably poked fun at herself as she introduced, “another depressing song.” Her strong, sultry voice resonated around the room to the clear twang of the guitar she masterfully controlled to act as another musician harmonising alongside her.

Her audience watched enraptured as Iona herself seemed to ascend to some other realm outside our own, in which only her, the music and her voice resided together in consonance. Upon her return to Workman’s, she was welcomed back with applause, cheers and even a few tears. She left the room blissfully dazed as the audience floated away to get another drink before the second support act.

Iona supporting Post-Party at Workman's on May 12th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Following Iona was Dublin-based indie artist Anna Leah, who angelically graced the stage in flowing white and sparkling sheer fabrics. The dazzling lights behind her limned her silhouette like a halo and with this heavenly backdrop, she began to play. Her voice rang high and sweet above the backing track as she began her set with ‘City Girls.’ Singing about how disparate her relationship with someone has become since they’ve moved away, she displays a nostalgic longing for them nonetheless. The heartfelt lyrics hit deep, contradicting the upbeat and bright soundscape behind her.

After launching straight into the song, a bold move that grabbed the attention of all in the room, she addressed her crowd cheerily. Her buoyant personality was contagious and set the audience to bouncing and shuffling - likely attempts at dancing in a small space - for the rest of her optimistic sounding set.

Anna debuted a new song for the crowd named, ‘She’s Got This.’ “It’s a song about being the underdog and overcoming that,” she told us. Beginning to play, the sound was distinctly dissimilar to her previous songs. It had a more biting sound, a song that was clearly a challenge to the doubters.

She finished her set with, ‘I Wonder,’ a melodic track whose accompanying lyrics again juxtaposed the euphony she sang against. This song however, moves into an effervescent, rock sounding territory, drastically changing its direction from the beginning. Upon the abrupt, taunting end of the song, she thanked her crowd and left the stage open for the main act.

Anna Leah supporting Post-Party at Workman's on May 12th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

After a brief intermission Post-Party arrived on stage to an expectant audience, exuding the confidence of an Irish household name. Given the crowd’s reaction to their energetic performance, they may become just that. Where there was once space to step a few paces to the side or leave with ease to grab a drink, there were suddenly people almost piled atop each other fighting for the best position to see the show.

Opening with the catchy track, ‘June’, the Dublin-based indie rockers were visibly ecstatic to be on stage, creating a sharp new energy in the room. Keelan O’Reilly set a spirited tone for the night, raising the bar with each single performed. Each of the boys in turn performed with their own unique verve, integrating with quintessential harmony to create a vivacious and lively atmosphere.

Flanked by Matthew O’Reilly and Colin Peppard, Keelan stood front and centre, singing each song with passion and soul, rousing the crowd to join him and good-naturedly chastising them for being too quiet. Matthew interacted heartily with each of his bandmates, engaging in a head-on guitar battle with bassist Colin and at some points even turning his back on the crowd to play directly to Peter Toal on drums.

Post-Party at Workman's on May 12th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

They interspersed both new and old songs, showcasing a stark difference in the feelings and emotions tackled in the tracks. Their sound is rooted in new rock revival, embellished with an 80s feel to their lyrics which tackle tales of youth, adolescence and a constant hope and expectancy for an exhilarating, more elevated future.

They treated the crowd to some teaser tracks from their upcoming EP, We’re Not Getting Any Younger, like the already debuted ‘Turn to Gold,’ and the unreleased surprise, ‘The Body Electric.’ The new EP content has a deeper, more mature feel to its sound and lyricism.

If their previous singles like ‘Love You Everyday’ and ‘Wasting Time’ describe the recklessness and bulletproof feelings of youth, the fervid, passionate lyrics of ‘Turn to Gold’ portray the end of a coming-of-age arc. The lyrics, “The sun opened the sky / And brought the morning light / Upon my doorstep / We lost the cold night / For my lungs you did hold / They began to fight” are contrary to the carefree lightness of their older music.

As the setlist came to a close, the rest of the band departed the stage, leaving Keelan standing alone to address the crowd. Unsurprisingly, the chant for “one more tune” started deafeningly. Keelan grinned at the crowd, enjoying their cries for more.

“One more tune?” he questioned brazenly, feigned contemplation etched his face until he finally made a deal with the audience. “If I sing one more song, yous have to sing it with me.” This elicited a cheer just as thunderous as the chant, as Keelin stepped back from the edge of the stage and began to sing “what are you, what are you, what are you talking about?” raising his arms, telling the crowd he couldn’t hear them. Eventually he left them to chant themselves, over and over while the other members reappeared on stage, smiling at the stunt.

Post-Party at Workman's on May 12th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

With energy high after their break, the band performed ‘Talkin’ About’ with plenty of zest, leaving the chorus each time to the crowd, who were ear-splitting in their own singing. The sound of the bass and drums reverberating off the walls and back through the boisterous fans. Both Keelan and Matthew took to kicking and leaning out over the stage whilst hands reached fruitlessly towards them.

Elated and proud, the band put their every fibre into the last notes of the song and thank the crowd with a cheer and a wave as they retreat back stage. The lights snapped on and illuminated shock-horror faces of hair and makeup streaked from sweat and vigorous fist-pumping. There were smiles all around, with words of praise heard spilling all the way out onto Wellington Quay.

Post-Party will release their new EP on June 30th.