James Vincent McMorrow review: Controlled but joyful return to live music in Ireland 

The test gig at Iveagh Gardens was a fine reminder of what we've been missing, and hopefully provides a big step on the road back to normal 

 James Vincent McMorrow on stage at Iveagh Gardens. Picture: Mark Stedman

With some de rigeur festival flags scattered around the site, stray straw hats and GAA jerseys in the crowd, as well as not-quite-in-time clapping along to songs, squint and it’s almost like the real thing. It’s not really, though - we’re still in the midst of the Covid pandemic and James Vincent McMorrow at Iveagh Gardens is the first in a series of test events.

There are only 500 people in what’s usually a 5,000 capacity summer gig venue, so entry was seamless and quick (there was no Covid testing). With the small groups spaced metres apart in assigned pods, it meant instead of the rising tide of crowd chatter, the birds in the trees around the site were louder in between songs - a welcome development, to be honest.