The Eskies: Mumfords outdone

Tar the Dublin quintet with ‘rustic folk’ label at your peril

Laura Behan from Artane in Dublin on the first day of the Electric Picnic at Stadbally Co Laois. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times
Laura Behan from Artane in Dublin on the first day of the Electric Picnic at Stadbally Co Laois. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times

Stars: ***

If the words “harmonies” and “rustic folk” sound suspiciously like Mumford and Sons to you, well... you’d be right. Tar The Eskies with that godforsaken brush at your peril. Although the Dublin quintet may class themselves as “gentlemen’s gypsy folk”, wear waistcoats and have a distinct contemporary country tinge to their sound, their songs have a real sting in their respective tails. Their four-part harmonies are excellent, particularly on amped-up gothic murder ballad Down By the River, and there are traces of The Coral’s melodies sprinkled liberally throughout their set. It’s not the most original music you’ve ever heard, but as the jubilant dancing crowd will testify to, it’s enough to signal a cheerful start to the weekend.

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy

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