Words and photos by Isabella Briscoe.
Fresh off the plane from their huge North American tour, The Mary Wallopers kicked off their biggest ever UK tour in Southampton. Celebrating their second album Irish Rock N Roll, the band took to the stage at the Engine Rooms on the 8th November. As someone who had eagerly anticipated their return since their performance at Wickham Festival in 2022, I was not disappointed.
The energy was electric. Plenty of Irish accents filled the crowd and it was apparent that the city’s Irish community had turned out in force. I am constantly in awe of the immense bond I find at Irish folk shows, and The Mary Wallopers fans were no different. The Engine Rooms quickly transformed into a lively gathering, where both strangers and friends could come together, arms around each other and dancing in unison. The whole concert felt like much more than just a musical experience, it was also a celebration of unity and shared joy.
“That was the first song we’ve ever played in Southampton,” quipped frontman Charles Hendy, earning a huge cheer from the crowd. There was never a lull in energy for the full ninety minutes. The transition from gentle acapella solos, to raucous and upbeat numbers was seamless. The band’s ability to maintain energy even during slower songs was commendable, and the audience remained captivated throughout. During their slower songs such as “Wexford”, the whole room fell silent, seemingly hypnotised by the powerful lyrics and beautiful vocals. It was incredibly moving to experience the peace which befell the room, when it had been shaking with boisterous dancing only minutes prior.
There was a beautiful connection between audience and artist, noticed particularly when the band teased a few notes of Cod Liver Oil and The Orange Juice, prompting a roar of recognition from the audience. Their repertoire of witty tunes had the crowd singing along to every word, creating an interactive and lively atmosphere. Special moments included favourites like Blarney Stone, which became a personal highlight, and Eileen Og, where the crowd’s enthusiastic singing threatened to drown out the band.
The Mary Wallopers delivered a concert that was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing their mastery in navigating between different musical tones. Their ability to engage the crowd, mix humour with tradition, and maintain an unwavering energy level throughout the performance solidified the evening as a memorable celebration of contemporary Irish folk music.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton
