Every few years, a song seems to come along and just take the world by storm. A song that becomes a mainstay of radio play for a while, and that is seemingly universally loved by everyone who hears it. Examples of this phenomenon would include the 2014 hit Hideaway by Kiesza, Pumped Up Kicks (2011) by Foster The People, and Riptide (2013) by Vance Joy, and another one of these was the Alice Merton hit, No Roots. This is an absolute banger of a tune – and would catapult Merton into the public eye globally.

Earlier this year, Merton released her debut LP, Mint, and the album was generally well received with credit being paid to the upbeat and positive vibe and feel of the music. This was an album that had the sole intention of making you want to dance, and it might for a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Off the back of this album, and a string of fantastic singles, Merton launched into a tour that saw her land into the esteemed Dublin music venue, Whelan’s.

For the hour that Alice Merton was on stage, she cut a compelling and warm figure as she flew through a setlist that can only be described as banger after banger. Singles such as Learn To Live, Lash Out, and I Don’t Hold a Grudge, and unreleased album tracks like Honeymoon Heartbreak and Funny Business, going down very well. Merton has a lovely stage presence and shares anecdotes from the tour and about the songs being preformed through out the night.

Credit must also go to the support act on the night, Mullingar native, Nate Johnston, AKA Sion Hill. It’s always a difficult gig to be opening up as an unannounced support, but there was charisma and standard on songwriting on show here that made for a thoroughly enjoyable half an hour set.

This was an incredibly assured and accomplished debut Irish show for the singer/songwriter, with plenty on show to suggest that there is lots of potential to be tapped into yet by Alice Merton. Let’s see where it goes.

MK