The Coronas are the real deal. Last night (October 26), in a special Hot Press Windmill Live show, held in the Windmill Quarter, just south of the River Liffey, they had an intimate audience eating from their the palms of their hands, at what became the official launch party for their seventh album Time Stopped .

The follow-up to 2020's Irish chart-topper True Love Waits arrives today and, rest assured, it's replete with the requisite power-pop tracks to hit the airwaves in style – and plenty of stripped down bangers on the side. As the band cherrypicked their way through a by-now monster back catalogue, the depth and breadth of their repertoire was remarkable to behold. But it was even more impressive that some of the new tracks were among the high-points of the show.

Before The Coronas hit the Windmill Live stage, queues of fans gathered outside the venue, eagerly awaiting the first live taster of the Time Stopped era. Some of our country’s most famous names have walked those very streets on their path to greatness. The beautiful Windmill Quarter proved the perfect spot for The Coronas to make their mark, with crowds buzzing to get near the front and a sense of high anticipation in the air.

The three permanent members of the band – Danny O’Reilly (vocals, keys, guitar), Graham Knox (bass) and Conor Egan (drums) – were joined onstage by Lar Kane of All Tvvins on guitar, Dave O’Keeffe on trumpet, True Tides frontman Cian MacSweeney (saxophone and vocals) and Róisín O on keyboards and backing vocals, making it a veritable supergroup.

The Coronas at Hot Press Windmill Live Series. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Hot Press' Stuart Clark introduced the band in style, and they opened with the instrumental 'Dysil' from the new album, followed immediately by their May 2022 single – also on the new album – 'Strive'. Filled with melody, spun out over a compelling groove – with synths and saxophone adding depth and detail – 'Strive' was written during the first Irish lockdown. Live, it successfully hit a pop-rock sweet spot. They were off!

The audience were in the palm of the band's hand from the jump, belting out the lyrics to the third song, up-tempo pop banger 'Addicted to Progress'. "That's some amazing singing considering it's 7:30pm in the evening," Danny beamed at the front row fans.

The Coronas at Hot Press Windmill Live Series. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

"It's so great to be here," the charismatic frontman added, a smile spreading all over his face. "We didn't know it was going to be such a big crowd! We're going to do a full gig. I hope that's okay."

It was more than alright. The easy chemistry within the group added a sense of euphoria to the evening – they were clearly delighted to be back on stage after a rough couple of years and a cancelled world tour.

O'Reilly's vocals were on fire. 'Haunted', 'Long Way', 'Find The Water' and 'If You Let Me' ebbed and flowed in pace, with down-tempo ballads slotted in sweetly before the band launched back into classic hits and new, soon-to-be radio anthems alike.

The impressively joyful 'At Least We'll Always Have LA' – a Time Stopped single – and 'Lost In The Thick Of It' from True Love Waits went down a treat with the crowd, who seemed to know every word.

Róisín O stepped forward more than once to trade lead vocals superbly with Danny. Cian McSweeney also took a verse! And there were plenty of clap-alongs and crowd participation as the show progressed, with Danny leaping from the stage at one point and parting the Red Sea of the audience to walk among thrilled fans, high five-ing and touching hands.

'True Love Waits' and 'Listen Dear' brought a wall of guitar and keyboard rhythms, while 2014 single 'All The Others' was a standout classic for long-term fans to sing along to.

The Coronas at Hot Press Windmill Live Series. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

A brilliant 'Closer To You' brought the house down. 2014 single 'What A Love' and 2017 Trust The Wire hit 'Give Me A Minute' added acoustic flair and heartfelt lyricism to the mix, bringing the main set to an end to a thunderous reaction from the crowd.

After a massive round of applause, and a brief pause offstage, the (super)group returned for a booming encore. They stripped back to a three-piece ofDanny, Graham and Conor for a beautiful acoustic rendition of 'Heroes and Ghosts'. That marvellous moment was followed by 'Write Our Own Soundtrack' from Time Stopped and – to finish the night in powerful style – 2014 radio smash 'Just Like That', rounded out a perfect set from these celebrated Irish chart heroes. Ending with blistering guitar riffs and pulsing drums, the audience screamed every word back at Danny.

"I'm not saying I want you back unless you say it first/ Cause I've said things just like that/ Only to end up getting hurt,," he crooned, finishing a faultless vocal performance on a high before thanking the rapt crowd for coming. It was one of those special nights.

The band later signed copies of their new album for gig-goers, and stayed to meet and greet fans, while the clock ticked towards its midnight release.

Make no mistake, Time Stopped is destined for chart greatness. Danny O'Reilly might not have halted time itself last night, but The Coronas suspended our worries for 90 minutes of of pop-rock gloriousness. There could hardly have been a more apt band to lift our spirits in the turbulent year of 2022.

Check out the brand new issue of Hot Press, starring The Coronas, out now.