Live Report: Wunderhorse delivers intoxicating Dublin performance

As dust descended on Collins Barracks, Wunderhorse stepped into the artificial light of their vibrant backdrop, in a scintillating, searing and emotionally driven night of grunge-tinged rock.

The English quartet's success has snowballed since the release of their debut album Cub in 2022. Their sophomore Midas saw the band surge to new heights, as did their reputation for intoxicating live performances.

As I made my way into the Barracks, I walked alongside a cloudy and ominous sky that matched the vibe of the first act of the evening, Cardinals. I was anticipating catching the Cork band live as I knew they have been gaining traction due to their brooding sound. The full bodied, moving and meaningful instrumentals were enough to keep me locked in the moment. The accordion, played by Finn Manning, added such emotional depth throughout each song. The clanging of the instruments and poignantly warm vocals made for an abrasive rock experience, with a purpose. As the twang of the guitar rang out, anyone who made the effort to catch the early set weren't disappointed that they left the pub early.

Shame...well it's a shame if you missed em. The South London post punk band were shouty, punchy and full of entertainment, and seeing them again reminded me of how much I love their live shows (I saw them two years ago at the Button Factory and it was a blast). Frontman Charlie Steen is a real showman and never fails to earn a few, taking off his suit jacket to reveal nothing but suspenders. As Steen finished his second song with a primal scream followed by a very polite "Cheers" he picked it back up with 'Fingers of Steel' a roaring, cinematic song that sits on your chest long after its end.

Bleached haired bassist Josh Finerty ran the length of the stage, somehow managing to do a front flip mid-song. All the while, Steen jumped into the belly of the pit. The triumphant 'One Rizla' played towards the end of the set, a mainstay and longstanding hit for the lads. Its powerful climax of guitars and drums reverberated off the stone walls and uplifted the crowd in a frenzy of moshing, chaos and merriment. It was a something to remember, a performance of pride rather than Shame.

Wunderhorse boarded the stage in front of their red devilish backdrop. It was seemingly part of a colour coded set, as the lights flashed to match the tracks 'Purple' and 'Teal.'

The four piece delivered a set intent on providing a masterful, undeniable experience. It kicked off with 'Midas' from their most recent album of the same name, to which the crowd began singing immediately. The band commanded the courtyard with an inimitable presence and energy. A purple haze filled the sky as 'Butterflies' soared through the air, landing on the audience, who allowed themselves to fly for a few moments.

The heavy guitar and bellowing vocals were brimming with grunge infused style. The vocal performance from Jacob Slater was exceptional as he gave a full throated, stirring rendition of  'Girl Behind the Glass,' as beating drums pulsed right down to the back and heartfelt distortion rang out. "This is very special for us," said Slater.

Despite their loud and powerful display, there was something quite emotional and tender about the performance. Romantic lyrics with soulful, screaming vocals left me mesmerised, as it crescendoed in a cacophony of crashing instrumental noise and a fog of bright light. 'Leader of the Pack' elicited an expected but joyous response from gig-goers. It felt like every individual around me sang the lyrics back to the band. In a surprising turn of events, a mosh pit opened up for the final track 'Rain' in the very back of the crowd. People gleefully bounced around, throwing their reusable cups (and their deposits) in the air, as the song's visceral and atmospheric strings took us home.