VIDEO: High Hopes, high spirits for Kodaline at Live at the Marquee

Almost two years ago, I had the privilege of drinking pints with Kodaline outside a packed-to-the-rafters pub in Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

The foursome, seemingly oblivious to the starstruck 20-something-year-olds sneaking peeks at them every few minutes, were sat, fairly nonchalantly, on the path outside Paki Fitz’s pub.

After unwittingly striking up a conversation with one of their friends, I joined their merry group and played the obligatory ‘let’s go through names until we find someone we both know’ game until the Swords boys had to hightail it down the road to get ready for their set at the Indiependence festival.

The next time I saw them they had grown 10 inches taller — Gods among men the band metaphorically tore up the stage, exuding a stage presence as palpable as the wind in my hair and the mud ’neath my feet.

Video by Briona Gallagher

Considering this, you could say I was reasonably prepared for their latest Cork gig, Live at the Marquee. You could say that, but you’d be sorely mistaken — you can never be fully prepared for a Kodaline gig, no matter how many times you’ve seen them.

Lauren Kelleher and Jenny Wall, Cork, at the Kodaline concert

Running onto the stage and launching straight into a rendition of ‘Ready’ from latest album Coming up for Air, the band weren’t long about setting the tone — hold on to your socks, because they’re about to be rocked off.

Crowd favourite ‘Love Like This’ finally came next, after some minor stage problems, followed by wistful ditty ‘Way Back When’.

Well that was an unreal show! THANK YOU SO MUCH CORK #LATM15 @VinnyKodaline @SteveKodaline @markkodaline @JayKodaline pic.twitter.com/afiTMujrN6

— Kodaline (@Kodaline) June 25, 2015

‘One Day’, a song infused with haunting vocals from lead singer Steve Garrigan, had the crowd swaying in tandem while ‘High Hopes’ and ‘All I Want’ practically ripped the roof off.

Michelle O'Brien, Melissa O'Brien, and Áine Cotter all smiles at Live athe the Marquee for Kodaline

As Kodaline gigs go, you can’t really get much better — and that’s saying something.

The band were in fabulous form, their music was tight, their songs were larger than life, and the crowd absolutely loved it.

Kodaline fans Ciara Furlong and David Coughlan at the gig

“Best present ever!” said Cathriona Sheahan from Limerick who got the tickets from her husband for their first anniversary — paper.

“They’re her favourite band, the tickets went down really well, excellent really!” Cathriona’s husband Thomas said.