OTHERKIN @ Whelan’s, Dublin 28/06/2019

SOMA returned to Whelan’s for their 31st event, this time reuniting with OTHERKIN for a tense night of live music.

I had last seen the band play the Salty Dog Stage at the Electric Picnic (EP) 2018 and it was one of the most enjoyable bands that I had seen at the festival.

After EP 2018, the band went away to work on some new material, which started to emerge on social media in early March. Based on the first three songs that have already emerged, their show at Whelan’s was going to display the bands ability to experiment with different sounds.

The opening song of the night ‘All That Remains Won’t Be The Same’ introduced a new electronic feel to the band, mixed with the same unique vocals and energy of Luke Reilly that the fans love. It doesn’t take Luke long before he is off the stage and surfing on top of a welcoming crowd.

The night was full of energy and in your face garage rock with songs ‘Come On, Hello’ and ‘Ay Ay’ from their debut album Ok, mixed with songs from the forthcoming album.

“Dublin, how much more do you have to give?” asked Luke as he reassured himself that yes “I think you have a bit more” as the disco beat of ‘On and On’ got the floor of Whelan’s bouncing and the crowd still had the energy to take him shoulder high one more time.

It came as a welcomed rest when the band switched the pace to a smooth cabaret tune ‘Would You Die’, which the audience appreciated on a sweltering summer night in Dublin.

OTHERKIN have emerged with new songs of substance that tackle topical issues such as mental health and the stress of working multiple jobs to survive in modern society, which is the central theme to ‘Tombstone’ and the misogyny during ‘All That Remains Won’t Be The Same’, which is something they have been vocal about regarding assaults at gigs.

The band played a great mixture between fan favourites from their debut album and new material including ‘All That Remains Won’t Be The Same’, ‘Tombstone’, ‘On & On’.

The taster of what to expect next got the fans excited about the forthcoming difficult second album, which the band have appeared to have made light work of creating songs for based on what has already emerged. The band have been brave with the new sounds and it has certainly paid off.

OTHERKIN will be touring the UK along with a show at the Independence Festival on August 4th.