Kodaline bids farewell with emotional concert in Dublin
Kodaline performed their last hometown concert on a warm Saturday evening in Malahide Castle, just north of Dublin, to an audience of 30,000 fans, marking an emotional conclusion to their career following the announcement of their split after the release of their final album, We Were Only Young, reports BritPanorama.
Backstage before the gig, lead singer Steve Garrigan and drummer Vinny May reflected on their most memorable experiences as a band. Garrigan recounted a memorable appearance on the French TV show Taratata, where he blanked during their performance. “I just completely went blank. My brain just switched off, and I just didn’t sing for about three minutes. It got really awkward,” he recalled, but noted how they managed to win over the crowd in the end.
May shared his own memory from Glastonbury, where technical issues led to a silent performance for two minutes. “We thought our career was over,” he said. Both musicians acknowledged that their most treasured memories were often linked to overcoming difficulties and turning potential disasters into triumphs.
Despite their struggles, Kodaline has enjoyed significant success, including three number one albums in Ireland and global sales exceeding two million. Their enduring song “All I Want” has amassed 1.5 billion streams, despite not initially being a radio hit. “It was never a radio hit song,” Garrigan noted, emphasizing the unconventional journey of their music.
Garrigan and May highlight their roots in the Irish music scene, recalling formative experiences such as busking and working in local pubs. They reflected on the support from fellow Irish artists, with Ronan Keating offering his studio early in their career and Bono emerging as a champion of their work.
As the band approaches the end of their farewell worldwide tour, which culminates in a performance at London’s Roundhouse in December, their decision to split surprised many fans. “At first, they were pretty shocked,” Garrigan commented on their audience’s reaction. “It’s the music industry and bands come and go. I suppose I didn’t realise how loyal our fans were.”
While fans have expressed dismay at the split, often sharing how the band’s music has played crucial roles in their lives, Garrigan and May noted that life changes, including becoming fathers, have influenced their priorities. “Soundcheck today was like a daycare centre,” May joked.
The band has faced internal challenges, with key members not participating in the farewell tour press. Garrigan candidly shared that the band’s dynamics had not been optimal for years, describing feelings of chaos within the group. “It’s four people, four different opinions. It’s like a marriage,” he explained.
Garrigan, who has been open about his mental health struggles, reiterated the pressures of the music industry and the constant demands for success. “You achieve something, and then there’s something else,” he noted, sharing a quote that resonates with his outlook: “Don’t let temporary people make permanent decisions.”
Their final album, We Were Only Young, due for release on 2 October, reflects their emotional journey, featuring heartfelt songs about love, loss, and the passage of time. The title track captures the essence of their journey: “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.”
As they approach the final shows, the reality of the end is setting in. “Moments like Cork last night when we were playing, it was like, ‘Oh, it’s the last time we’re gonna play in this city,’” May remarked, acknowledging the bittersweet nostalgia of their farewell tour.
The concert culminated in a powerful performance, with the crowd singing along to an extended version of “All I Want.” Kodaline expressed pride in leaving on a high note, showcasing an enduring connection with their fans. “We’ve achieved so much,” Garrigan said, reflecting on their journey from school battles to this moment. “We are going out on our own terms,” May affirmed.
Kodaline’s final album We Were Only Young is out on 2 October. Their final UK tour begins on 12 December.
