Kodaline @ The Institute, 14th March 2015
The Institute was in full craic effect last night as Kodaline were in town. What one could only describe as the unofficial launch party for the St Patrick’s day parade which was taking place on Sunday; perched on the edge of Digbeth in the Irish Quarter of Birmingham, the Irish quartet with strong affinities to Birmingham truly went out of their way to put on an awesome show for their audience.
Performing alternating tracks from their well received debut album “In A Perfect World”, and their follow up album “Coming Up For Air”, Kodaline are an emblem of all things Irish and Brummie. The collective coming together and sticking together, channeling their gifts and honed talent together to do one thing, tell stories. Stories that are evocative and moving, subjective as this statement maybe, they are true stories. Heart felt and moving and leaving you with the curiosity to know more.
It was no mystery what song was met with the most rapturous noise last night, “High Hopes” the stand out single from the album “In A Perfect World”. Kodaline are band taking music back where it needs to be, with well told stories.
Just to add charm to the mix the band got us all -the audience- to sing happy birthday to a local fan who had been supporting them for sometime now, it was a request that the crowd duly obliged to help with, for Kodaline. This was the first time I have ever been to a gig and it felt like I was a part of a family.
Kodaline are a fine ensemble of musicians, using music and storytelling as a catalyst to bring people together, if Kodaline are coming to a venue near you, go and see them, they come with my highest recommendations.
Review: Chadwick Jackson
Image courtesy of PR