Bucket rocked Whelan’s upstairs stage on Friday, debuting their new EP Muck.

Opening up the night was four-piece band Puck. The audience was instantly met with flashing lights and a heavy sound. Their vocalist’s raspy voice ignited with energy, paired beautifully with an excited guitar.

“Hi, we’re Puck,” he said cooly, before delving into wild shrieks.

I found myself captivated by each individual component of the band, from the drummer's intense speed to the bassists' impressive agility. Together, they unified to create an intricate, dynamic sound that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

“And that was only the support!” one fan exclaimed before Puck left the stage.

Puck at Whelan's Upstairs. Copyright Emily Boyle.

When Bucket arrived, they kicked off their set with a bang.

The band welcomed Puck’s drummer back up, and immediately erupted into explosive dissonance. After going silent for a few seconds, they introduced the guitar and drums. The sound crept with deliberate momentum, while the drummer stepped quietly to the mic. In an instant, the band went silent again, before letting loose with a cacophony of energy. The drummer hurled a blood-curdling scream into the mic, riding the heavy instrumentals with an exciting vocal flare.

From that moment, Bucket held a fast grip on the crowd, rousing their spirits and sending their bodies flailing with movement. The band performed almost entirely in the dark, with strobing lights occasionally revealing each member’s face.

They performed ‘Hash Browns’ next, the first single off their new EP released back in January. Filled with punchy drums and an electrifying bass, the track contained distorted sound and heavy vocals. It didn’t take long for a mosh pit to form, nearly knocking me off my feet.

Bucket at Whelan's Upstairs. Copyright Emily Boyle.

‘Who Knows?’, their 2023 debut single, continued to excite fans. Kicking off with a rhythmic guitar, the song built slowly into an absolutely deadly rock track. With clear punk influences, Bucket’s frontman Cian Dahdouh let loose vocally, filling the venue with guttural sound.

“Thank you very much,” he added between songs. “Youse having a good time?”

The crowd erupted in cheers and pulsated with movement.

‘Budgie’ also proved to be a stand-out track. Opening with unrelenting drums and a killer guitar, the 2024 track showed off Dahdouh’s powerful vocals. Each song blended smoothly into the next, never wavering or skipping a beat.

The final song off their EP, ‘Crack Alley,’ delivered an earth-rattling bass. Fans pushed against each other as Dahdouh howled into the mic, creating a fierce atmosphere.

With high energy and impressive technical skill, Bucket provided fans with a terrific Friday night.

See the full photo gallery here.