The Coronas review: Voices sweeter than honey ring around Cork ahead of band's Glasto set
Danny O’Reilly was at the top of his game during The Coronas' high-energy set at Live at the Marquee in Cork on Friday night. Pictures: Chani Anderson
A vocal sweeter than a keg of the finest organic honey, Danny O’Reilly was at the top of his game at a memorable night at Cork’s legendary tent.
What better way for The Coronas to warm up before their Saturday night show in Glastonbury than to wow their loyal fans at Live at the Marquee 2025.
This was their ninth time playing the venue. With the reception they get here, you can be sure it won't be their last.
On stage at 9pm sharp. Total pros. At 9.05pm an explosion of confetti: . The crowd sings every word. Monster start.
"It’s great to be back in Cork. Go raibh maith agaibh. Thank you very much," says Danny.
At 9:10, a sea of outsized balloons are released and Danny is leaning into the barriers, high-fiving the front row. All girls. Literally not one bloke on the big screen. Apart from Danny.
Led by multi-instrumentalist Danny, this Dublin trio is a band of real quality. The other two core members are Graham Knox on bass and Conor Egan on drums. Danny introduces everyone.
"People are saying to us 'you’re playing Glastonbury this weekend', but we’ve played here so many times that we’ve played to more people here.
"This show is what we look forward to more.
"This is our Glastonbury. And give a big Cork welcome to this marvellous singer [and local hero] Cian McSweeney."
Later, he climbs beyond the barriers into the crowd. Singing, mingling. Loads of blokes also on the big screen this time, to be fair.
All the hits: , , ‘ , , , . Always a big reaction to classics like (the crowd singing this was a real highlight), , and . And, of course, .
Touring for the past 20 years, they have released eight hugely successful studio albums — from in 2007 through to in 2024 — most of which reached No1 in the Irish album charts.
From their most recent album, they performed , , and . They’re currently working on their ninth studio album.
A nod to excellent warmup act, Roísín O, who wowed this crowd. Being Danny’s sister, of course, no doubt helped; so too did a belting cover of Chappell Roan’s , but her own material was also powerful. And she guested with The Coronas, soloing beautifully on , among others. God-given family harmonies.
What a great voice. No surprise — they’re Mary Black’s children after all. Magic DNA. Magic night.
