With Wild Beasts in Dublin (Photos & Video)

Location: Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 K135, Ιreland

Words: Dimitris Mavrokefalidis – Photos: amusicmap.com

Listening while writing:

Bittersweet. This word probably describes the concert (the first of the last three of a most anticipated farewell tour) of a band that announced their split, 14 years after their first EP was released and 16 years since the birth of Wild Beasts. Someone could have expected this feeling especially since the concert is held in one of the most historic concert venues in Dublin, the Olympia Theater. The classic theater opened its doors for the first time in 1879, and during its first years many world famous names of the theatre, film and music industries have performed on its stage feeling the same energy you feel the moment you enter: Charlie Chaplin, David Bowie, Adele, REM, Mumford & Sons, Kings Of Leon, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Morrissey, Florence & Machine and many others whose framed photos decorate the long corridor you walk down when heading towards the arena. And without exaggeration, the moment you begin to consider ranking them among the bands that have created some of the most compelling indie and alternative pop music of their generation, you are welcomed by a setlist that includes the greatest songs of their musical journey.

Hayden Thorpe and his bandmates take the stage at 8.30 am, and the music artwork they build is based on “The Fun Powder Plot”, whose sensitivity is at odds with the electronic greed of later tracks like “Wanderlust”, “Alpha Female” and “Big Cat”. Smart choice if you take into consideration how delicately the idiosyncrasies of Thorpe’s voice accompany harsh Tom Fleming’s vocals. Undeniably, “Mecca” is a soaring highlight making the crowd shout their name frantically. After an hour on the stage, they leave only to return after a few minutes, not just for a brief encore, but for almost another hour of songs which marked their career.

Thorpe jumps into the pit where fans take turns embracing him. The crowd is screaming, pulling on his white blouse, touching him as if they are to “steal” something from the magic of his “celestial creatures”. He takes a glass of beer from someone who embraces him and begins to drink while the audience continues singing. Sure, this is the concert’s most magical moment especially for such a warm and loyal audience . “Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants” and “All the King’s Men” earn countless standing ovations. During the last song “End Come Too Soon,” Thorpe looks as if he’s ready to cry, but manages to hold it together.

The frontman kept his silence and quietly applauded the crowd – perhaps music of such scope and drama demands an equally vast audience to take it all in and echo it right back. And this is what had happened tonight. There may never be another band like them so at least we enjoyed the privilege of seeing them bow out at the top of their game. See you soon, you wild, beautiful weirdos.