Happyalone @ The Poor Relations, Cork, Ireland 17/05/2018

One of Ireland’s emerging talents Happyalone, took over The Poor Relations in Cork on Thursday night. Supporting them were The Slut Club and Gadget and the Cloud.

It doesn’t seem that long ago when the snow was falling and it felt like winter would never end. Now the days are longer and it’s actually starting to feel like t-shirt weather. So with Happyalone putting on a show at The Poor Relations, it was pretty fitting to have a band like The Slut Club open proceedings.

With psychedelic melodies and catchy hooks, those summer vibes were seeping into the venue and making the crowd ride the crest of a wave that was The Slut Club’s sound. With a charismatic frontman in Kieran Hurley, they took charge and made sure the crowd looked nowhere else other than at the stage while he sang of happier days and getting high. When summer truly does arrive for those three weeks in June, make sure they’re in your playlist.

Mixing it up with a couple of covers, their rapid tempo and thrilling riffs brought their set to an end in spectacular fashion. The Slut Club: a cool band with a cool sound.

Gadget and the Cloud a.k.a Kelly Doherty, released her debut album Songs For Sad People to Dance to, last month and the Cork producer provided a series of hypnotic electronic sounds. With luscious beats and entrancing effects, the sounds emitting from the stage were captivating.

Doherty deserved more attention than what she got on the night but those that did listen were treated to an enchanting performance. Check out her debut album Songs For Sad People to Dance to on Spotify.

Happyalone topped Spotify’s Irish Top 50 Viral chart at Christmas and there was no surprise as to why. The trio have a stunning sound where at times they can draw you in and just make you feel like your floating. Then other times create this incredible tension that releases with soaring guitars.

Fionn Tobin’s vocals were doused in reverb, along with entrancing loops and effects, their performance was a combination of trippy and heart-racing in all the right ways. So many layers to the band’s sound, the alt-pop band created a euphoric atmosphere in The Poor Relations.

Although plagued at times with technical difficulties, the crowd filled the dead-air with chants, instead of frustrated silence, there was jubilant appreciation for one of Cork’s finest acts today.

Capping the night off with crowd surfing and more chanting, Happyalone’s killer sound made sure the night ended in euphoric fashion. With a new EP dropping this Friday (April 20th), Happyalone are a band that are destined for big things.

Photos of The Slut Club and Happyalone taken by Nicholas O’Donnell, check out more of his work by clicking here.