Dea Matrona // The Garage, London

London plays host to a rock revival

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Album Artwork of “For Your Sins“

A chilly November night played host to a wildfire show from Irish rockers Dea Matrona this Monday. Throngs of fans packed out the iconic Garage in Highbury and Islington, in search of the duo’s distinctive blend of folksy blues-tinged rock swagger.

Despite the chilly weather outside the audience was in high spirits, warmly welcoming the support bands in the run-up to the headliners.

Cheers filled the venue as the duo of Orláith Forsythe and Mollie McGinn, alongside their backing band, took to the stage, channelling 70’s rockstar cool before they had even played a note. Opening with fan favourite “Red Button”, the suspenseful verses captured the audience before strutting into the contemplative chorus.

Over their relatively short career, the band have already stacked up accolades: from playing Glastonbury to supporting folk-rock icons The Corrs at the Royal Albert Hall. This has allowed them to cultivate a varied fanbase that spans across ages and musical palettes.

The set mainly covered the band's debut album “For Your Sins”, which was released last year, while also including a few well-received surprises. Covers of Nirvana's “Love Buzz” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well” allowed the band to pay tribute to their influences, which could be felt throughout the rest of the set. At the same time, performances of new and unreleased tracks gave fans a taste of the band's evolving artistry.

A searing version of “Get my Mind Off” showed the band's rock-infused roots. With a strong moment of crowd interaction seeing a call and response sing-along to the chorus with the enraptured crowd.

I contrast to the bombast of the rockier performances the duo stood alone on the stage to close the set with a stripped-back version of “Glory Glory (I am Free)” before bidding farewell.

Chants of “one more song!” grew in intensity until the band emerged for their well-deserved encore to the tune of “My Sharona” (with alternate lyrics of “Dea Matrona”). Closing the evening with a thudding version of “Stamp on It”, the track encapsulated all that the duo had demonstrated in a glam rock stomping anthem that had the crowd hooked.

As the duo said their goodbyes while thanking the band and crew it was clear from the audience's reaction that they have managed to create real fans that have genuine adoration for the rock n’ roll duo.

Stream their music: Here

Review By: Sam McNaughton