Review + Photos: Kodaline @ Whelan's

In what was actually the band's first performance at the venue, they effortlessly held the audience as they ran through their debut album In A Perfect World.

This charity gig was one of the hottest tickets in recent memory, selling out in five minutes, and the dedication of the supporters were evident. From opener 'After the Fall' followed by single 'One Day' it became clear that Steve Garrigan didn't have to sing as much as lead the audience, with the crowd joining in as soon as the melody was recognized.

Despite having won the crowd from the beginning, Kodaline weren't content to simply let the audience do the work, instead utilizing the rousing support. When Garrigan broke out his harmonica, before jumping into 'Love Like This' he lead the audience through an enthusiastic rendition of 'Dirty Old Town', producing some of the best atmosphere of the night.

Despite their ability in the classic Irish tunes, Kodaline's bread and butter lies in their ability to craft poignant ballads that can capture the listener's emotions. When Garrigan moved to the piano for a passionate rendition on 'High Hopes', you could feel the vibe of the room change as the crowd became downright sentimental. This continued when the band returned for an encore, playing an a cappella version of 'In A Perfect World' while inviting everyone to sing the chorus. The audience did so masterfully, with the entire crowd seemingly able to hit the perfect octave, creating the most impressive moment of the night. Of course Kodaline couldn't leave without playing their biggest hit, and as the band finished the set with 'All I Want', the audience became completely enraptured.

Check out Amber Nixon's gallery of live shots here.