Up close and personal with the next big band

Kodaline, Hard Rock Cafe, Manchester
IRELAND has produced some crackers when it comes to alternative music — but never has such high hopes been put on these lads.

The mainstream tones of Westlife, Boyzone and The Corrs have dominated the charts in past years and now a new fresh sound has arrived from the Emerald Isle.

A lucky few were treated to an exclusive intimate show from the “band of the moment” at Hard Rock Cafe, in Manchester, in preparation for their larger set at Hard Rock Calling, in London, at the end of next month.

Manchester’s Pete Mitchell, DJ on Absolute Radio, introduced Steve, Mark, Jay and Vinny to the stage to the small crowd who knew this occasion was going to be a rare chance to see the band up, close and personal before their festival juggernaut which will propel them to further popularity.

Their debut track “All I Want” is approaching almost 100,000 copies sold and their recent smash hit “High Hopes” — which struck number one in the Irish singles charts — was the highlight of the evening.

While indie faves Two Door Cinema Club are the current princes of Northern Ireland, Kodaline look to have the crown of the Republic.

Certainly a less heavy sounding band than the likes of The Dubliners and The Pogues, they still hold that indie quality, strutting a more chilled alternative vibe, which in kind will apply to the masses.