Raglans: putting some pep in the EP step

The big, bustling sound of the Dublin group got the Electric Arena moving

Dublin outfit Raglans played the Electric Arena on Saturday afternoon. Photograph: Raglans Facebook.
Dublin outfit Raglans played the Electric Arena on Saturday afternoon. Photograph: Raglans Facebook.

Stars: ****

It’s early on Saturday afternoon, depleted energy levels have yet to be restored and coffee just isn’t cutting it. In need of pep in your step? Where caffeine fails, Raglans succeed.

It’s practically impossible to dislike the Dubliners’ big, bustling indiepop songs, packed with hearty melodies and strong harmonies. Contemporary touchpoints include Of Monsters and Men, but (Wait! Come back!) they also brazenly pilfer from the Beatles songbook with songs like White Lightning and maintain a ‘cheeky chappy’ charm throughout their half-hour set.

Their piéce de resistance is Natives, a song with such a feelgood chorus that it’s begging to soundtrack a Discover Ireland ad. With a nudge in the right direction, they might be giants by this time next year.

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a freelance journalist and broadcaster. She writes about music and the arts for The Irish Times