The Maine is a band, a quintet from the Grand Canyon State, that play rock music. The band, who’ll celebrate their 5th anniversary on January 21st, are a band that have grown up vastly since their founding by bassist Garrett Nickelsen, drummer Pat Kirch and vocalist John O’Callaghan back in 2007. The band, which also includes guitarists Kennedy Brock and Jared Monaco, poke fun at their original style, their cover of Akon’s I Wanna Love You, and indeed their early music, all in good humor. A lot has changed in five years for the band. Through numerous haircuts, changes in musical style, dedication to their fans and the boys overall pride in their work, they’ve become known as a band, not just five, well, haircuts. The Maine has become known as one of the bands on today’s music scene with lasting power that put on a great live show. On January 11th, that show rolled into Dublin’s Academy 2.
The Maine are no strangers to Ireland, affectionately calling it “The Motherland”, having played 2 shows here in March 2011. This show, however, takes place in a much different surrounding to their previous headliners. They played in the Academy 2, a venue which is essentially a basement with couches and a bar. The venue isn’t one of my personal favourites, having been there before, so I was a little anxious when the AZ boys announced their venue of choice for this one-off headlining show. With a capacity of just over 250 people, it was an intimate show to say the least.
Kicking off the night’s proceedings at 7:45 were local Dublin pop-rockers Search the Skyline. Clad head to toe in Glamour Kills, Macbeth and Hurley, they’re a pop-punk advertisers dream. Made up of members from the now defunct Dublin band Downhill, the band kicked off their set with nothing but high energy and fierce melodies. Interacting with members of the audience in the front row, having a few jokes and not overly plugging their upcoming music video for their current single, Clouds, was one of the things that made this an enjoyable set. While the music was most definitely not in everyone’s favour and their set went on longer than most would have preferred, they were tolerated, and made a decent predecessor for what was to be one of the best shows played in Dublin’s Academy 2.
The Maine attractions (hahahaha) were due on stage at 8:30. Everyone in the crowd counted down the seconds during the changeover, and the atmosphere of the room itself was alive with anticipation. Bodies were packed like sardines in front of the barrier, and the room buzzed with laughter, sing-along and general banter. At 8:29, the band’s Maineiacs began counting the seconds until the lights dimmed and their heroes graced the, very cramped, stage. The high pitched screams of every girl and guy in the room could have collapsed the ceiling once The Maine stepped on stage. Girls, and some guys, flailed a little too much over John wearing suspenders, and just being in the presence of these five guys overall.
Here’s Garretts, ahem, blue hair, it isn’t the best quality picture in the world because I’m tired and have to be up at 6am for Belfast, but here’s one of the better ones unedited!
I’ll do this in a read more as it’s quiiiite long, seeing as it’s 30 days worth in one post :’)
i’m interviewing The Maine on January 11th in Dublin and I’d love to ask them some fan questions! If you’ve any questions for the boys, please please leave them here so I can keep track of them. :3
I cannot wait for Pioneer, this is one of my favourite songs already and I’ve only heard it live sdfnjhgbehjrge
