1. Snapshot; Midlake will forever be known amongst concert lovers as one of those bands who are “great live”. Everything from the way the instruments sounded to the almost perfect set list, it was a night to remember. Vicar Street was the perfect venue for this walking anachronism. Bigger than their previous Dublin venue of the Village but not so big that it made us feel like strangers to them. <br />Cluas Verdict: 9/10<br />The opening act, Texan woman Sarah Jaffe, was the perfect warm-up for the equally ‘country’ main act. Her tones smooth and inviting, the drums a harsh and exciting contrast. The crowd of mainly students in grungy jumpers were only just beginning to form. <br />Shortly afterwards, the boys themselves ambled on. Unassuming, shy, even awkward, there was a real sense that the crowd’s welcome was unexpected. Their previous Dublin gig drew a much smaller crowd, which guitarist and vocalist Eric Pulidio joked about, saying “I’m glad to see you brought some friends this time”. <br />Vocalist Tim Smith slowly led us into ‘Winter Dies’ from the new album, followed by the whispering opening of ‘Small Mountain’ on flutes. The flutes, in fact, were out in force. Something that should only be welcomed.<br />The set list included just the right amount from Van Occupanter. Each track however, sounded new. Gone were the gentle intro’s on bass and snare, enter the screaming, electric guitar and forceful beats of the drum. ‘Bandits’ kicked in with fervour. They had led us down their path and now we were theirs. ‘Young Bride’ followed but then came the highlight-‘Roscoe’. Played with terrifying passion, it was as if they had forgotten we were there. We now felt less like concert-goers and more like the fly-on-the-wall at a personal Midlake jam session-play off, even. <br />Their last song, ‘Head Home’, was a treat. When they left the stage it was clear the crowd were going nowhere. Their encore was perhaps the most exciting event of the night. Not just because we knew we’d be in for something special, but because for the first time we saw boy-like excitement light up their faces. <br />Playing a delicious and romantic version of ‘Branches’, each looked at one another with a smile of contentment. It was mentioned that lead Tim Smith stood back at one point and surveyed his band-mates-proud and in awe. They had not expected a crowd like this in Dublin, they perhaps feared it would be a repeat of last time. They did not let us down, but we didn’t let them down either. <br />