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Live Review: Kodaline

Francesca Donovan travels the long path to Fibbers to report on Kodaline’s performance

Tuesday 5 March 2013

The charismatic quartet open with the ethereal ‘Lose Your Mind’, accumulating in Kodaline’s signature crashing chorus line — an intriguing introduction to the set. They continue in a predictable but inescapable manner for a band with a relatively small repertoire, playing a selection of songs from their upcoming album In a Perfect World. Of course, including the justly famous ‘All I Want’ their debut single that shot to fame and has been heard by millions (knowingly or not) thanks to Google’s ‘Zeitgeist 2012’ television advert. A haunting and moving performance of a very good song. Much in the same vein, Kodaline’s other songs are beautifully crafted pieces of music, simple, memorable melodies being the template for all; a formula sure to generate popular appeal.

The performance is polished and nearly without fault. There’s always a danger when dense rock invades smaller venues; sometimes the melodies are lost to the heavy drumming and bass, resulting in headaches rather than gratification, and the result can be clunky rather than chunky. Kodaline avoid this pitfall entirely. Steve, Mark, Vinny and Jason’s instruments blend easily together to create one loud and powerful sound: a true band, not simply four individuals contributing their own disconnected musical components. Throughout the set, we were treated to persistently solid timekeeping from drummer, Vinny, and faultless fretwork from all three guitarists. The harmonies were tightly executed, and Steve’s unwavering vocal was impressive throughout alluding to his range and expert falsetto control, as in closing song ‘The Answer’, met with a crowd of girls who sang the entire lyric word-perfect back to the stage.

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