Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
We arrive in Dublin on what is an overcast albeit, warm and pleasant evening. Despite a slight hiccup regarding location we eventually find our way and join the hordes of eager fans en route to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Kilmainham Dublin.
The excitement is contagious and spotted throughout the gathering are various Queens of the Stone Age t-shirts – we have found our tribe. Once inside the beautiful grounds the view of the city and local area is one to behold. There are various vendors and a few Merch stalls dotted around the standing area. We make our way through the crowds of people and find a favourable position, to prepare for what we already know will be a night of dancing and rocking out to the colossal QOTSA.
Cliffords
Hailing from beautiful Cork, Cliffords are a five piece consisting of Iona Lynch (singer – rhythm guitar) Gavin Dawkins (bass -trumpet) Harry Menton (lead guitarist), Dan Ryan (Drummer) and Locon 0’Toole (keyboards). The band won the UCC (University of Cork) ‘battle of the bands’ in 2022 and then went on to release their debut EP in 2024 titled ‘Strawberry Scented’. A second offering ‘Salt of the Lee’ was then delivered in May of this year. Cliffords appear surprised themselves at how quick they are gathering a solid fan base outside of their beloved Cork.
Amyl and the Sniffers were originally due to play to second support slot and it was announced a few days back that Cliffords would be taking their place.
During their alternative and punky set, Lynch herself reflects on the last minute change which in itself is an opportunity that the band were damn glad of no doubt. She jested about how she herself would’ve been disappointed if she’d turned up expecting Amyl and the Sniffers but got a group of lads from Cork instead.
Cliffords treated the eager Royal Kilmainham audience to haunting yet energetic tracks such as ‘Bittersweet’, ‘Feels Like a Man’, ‘My Favourite Monster’ and ‘Sleeping with Ghosts’. Lynch’s lyrics and vocals are raw yet stunning and powerful. Dawkins played trumpet on a number of tracks majestically. These guys an extremely talented bunch with a bright future ahead of them.
Cliffords are proud of their Irish heritage and are politically aware, often striving to raise awareness for issues close to their hearts including the disparity faced by female and non-binary artists in the industry. The band also expressed their support of Palestine and hung Palestine flags on their stage set up. Lynch reflected on the current situation faced by Liam Og O hAnnaidh of Kneecap, encouraging the crowd to see past the media cover-up and see the reality of what is happening in Palestine.
They are embarking on a tour of the UK, including a few festivals with upcoming gigs in Belfast at the Ulster Sports Club and at the Academy in Dublin and with an obligatory gig in their hometown of Cork in November. Cliffords owned the stage this evening and gained a multitude of fans, evidenced by the positive and warm reception they received. Cliffords were the perfect warm up for the main headliners and had the crowd buzzing with chat about their performance following their set. Don’t miss the prospect of seeing this passionate and talent filled gang.
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age originated in the wake of Kyuss in 1996. Josh Homme (vocals – guitar – piano), Michael Shuman (bass guitar- vocals,) Troy Van Leeuwan (guitar – keyboards – percussion-vocals), Dean Fertita (Piano- Keyboards –Guitar – percussion – backing vocals) and Jon Theodore (Drums – percussion). QOTSA released their self-titled debut album in 1998. Since then they have released eight albums with various line-up changes and collaborations over the years. Homme himself has encountered personal and medical challenges in recent years however, he has channelled these experiences and used these to fuel his creativity and drive to perform with the support and backing of his brothers in the band.
The most recent album ‘The End is Nero’ was released in 2023, which the band toured extensively with including a date in Dublin’s 3Arena on 22nd November 2023. Unfortunately, Homme became unwell whilst touring and following the recording of the QOSTA concert film ‘Alive in the Catacombs’, urgently returned to the states for medical treatment. Being the workhorse that he is, once recovered Homme and the lads announced rescheduled dates. Much to our delight, despite already playing in Dublin in 2023 we were honoured with another date for the stunning surroundings of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Kilmainham Dublin.
As the lads renowned for exuding Cool take to the stage, they are met with euphoric applause and screams. As the opening notes of ‘Regular John’ kick in the crowd chant along, head bang and sway – the headlining act have arrived with a bang. ‘No One Knows’ sees the crowd continuing to sing in harmony with Ginger Elvis aka Homme as he entertains us with his trade mark swagger.
The lads are as tight musically as ever and appear very happy to be back in Dublin. Which is confirmed prior to performing ‘Smooth Sailing’, when Homme assures us that they are glad to be back in Ireland whilst commenting on how it’s a beautiful evening and charming us by saying “let’s be Irish”.
Van Leeuwan introduces us to ‘My God Is the Sun’, with the vigorous shaking of his maracas whilst holding his guitar with his left hand with great composure unlike us as we begin jumping and swaying waiting the opening riff and drums. QOTSA are known for mixing up the setlists and hopefully tonight’s performance will be no different. ‘Made to Parade’ which the lads most certainly are, sees inflated 3 & 7 balloons drifted away into the evening sky. Unfortunately, the track was not played but a poignant moment nonetheless. Again Homme shares their love of Ireland and suggests that we all “go fucking crazy”. Fertita provides the almost sinister opening keys, followed by Theodore pounding the drums all the while Van Leeuwan and Homme woo us with the punky chords of ‘Misfit Love’. The atmosphere is electric as we groove along to the punchy beat. Homme introduced ‘I Sat by the Ocean’ as a love song followed by the provocative ‘Little Sister’.
Homme takes the opportunity to introduce the band and we witness a warm reception for Dean Furtita. Cries of ‘Deano’ ring throughout the crowd and sporadically throughout out the rest of tonight’s show. Homme jests how this love for ‘Deano’ affects him using sexual overtones which has the crowd laughing. Homme is at one with Dublin tonight. Coincidentally tonight just happens to be the 40th Birthday of the snappily dressed Mikey Shoes. Homme has the crowd sing Happy Birthday to Schuman as he compares the sound of our singing to that of two cars of drunken Irish people crashing. ‘The Vampyre of Time and Memory’ brings a tender moment with Homme on Piano and Fertita on Guitar. The compelling front man again expresses his love for ‘this place’ and requested that the lights are turned up so that the band can see everyone in attendance and then launch into ’I Appear Missing’.
We are treated to an extended version of ‘Make It Wit Chu’, Theodore and Fertita lead us in with seductive drums and keys. The crowd begin chanting the chorus as Homme plays the riff in an erotic style. Homme serenades everyone in the audience with his Falsetto vocals, I would argue everyone’s heart was fluttering at this stage of the preceding’s. QOTSA are full to the brim with charisma and corruption and we are very willing participants. Homme encourages everyone to get on each other’s shoulders – cue a number of eager fans appearing on friends and loved ones shoulders to sway along to this enigmatic and raunchy number.
Zooming in on the big screen we see close ups of adoring fans on shoulders, in particular one lad entertains us in a floral shirt opening his buttons and blowing bubbles into the air to everyone’s delight. QOTSA are capable of commanding the presence of us all – singing, swaying and dancing in unity – this is a shout out to all the grown men gyrating and moving their hips to the beat in particular our Stan! – giving Homme a run for his money. Song of the night for me!!
Homme reflects on how we are alive tonight and could be dead tomorrow – tonight’s for living. ‘Straight Jacket Fitting’ is next up chosen by the crowd. Homme makes his way down into the lucky gits in the front standing area. He casually walks along greeting, hugging and kissing fans whilst humming along to the tune. There is a lot of envy in the main standing area but we live vicariously through the big screen as Homme is at one with his adoring fans. Once back up on the stage Homme throws mic into the crowd and encourages the fans to sing along. Once the tune was over the charismatic frontman Homme teases ‘Frankly I like to be touched by you if I’m honest’.
Van Leeuwan taunting us with a cryptic opening notes of ‘Go With the Flow’, sees fans in droves running to find free space – which there isn’t much of, to create circle pits for the madness which was about to ensue. The crowds singing is deafening as we rock out to the heavy laden guitar riffs and thumps of Theodore on the kit. We know we are nearing the end of the set and we are not quite ready to let the lads go. Nor would it appear they are finished with us just yet. As the legendary drum beats and guitar riffs fill the air, Homme enticingly questions “are you ready – come back and see us sometime”. With prompts from Homme for the Irish crowd to let him hear us we most certainly oblige and the air is filled with screams and roars.
As ‘A Song for the Dead’ finally kicks in powerful strobe lights frantically move back and forth across the stage and audience lighting up the darkened skies. The dedicated following make devoted vocal sounds along to the riffs and go wild along with the frenzied beats. Theodore is on fire on the drum kit and the guitars of Van Leeuwan, Homme and Schuman are ripping Kilmainham a new one. The final song of the evening creates unified chaos and untempered energy. As expected the lads delivered a great setlist documenting their stellar back catalogue.
The Queens of the Stone Age experience isn’t just a concert, they bring fun, they strut, and they supply catharsis yet they are savage and that’s why we love them. Experiencing QOTSA with friends and loved ones brings an added layer of contentment.
Photography by Eamonn Smith for MPM
