Violet Grohl (with special guest Bekah Bossard) - The Academy
Words: Sadhbh Walton
Playing in Ireland for the first time, Bekah Bossard was pleasantly surprised by what she described as the “Irish hospitality”. Accompanied by guitarist Joel, she delivered an intimate blend of indie grunge and distorted guitar textures, yet with soft mellow vocals and some very beautiful harmonies woven throughout her set.
Bekah has a very distinct tone quality to her voice, which I would describe features a gentle haziness which I found compliments the raw instrumentation quite nicely. Her stage presence was equally as captivating; she was relaxed yet carried this frazzled whimsical energy that was really soothing and effortlessly charming without feeling like she was trying very hard. This contrast made her very easy and captivating to watch.
Her accompanying guitarist Joel was equally impressive, showcasing a high level of skill while maintaining the same laid-back aura that made the duo feel so natural on stage. Their chemistry and understated approach made for a set that felt both intimate and impressive.
My personal favourite of the set was Mothers by July; this song is one of her more popular songs but feels particularly emotional and unvarnished. I enjoyed her set so much, so I was persuaded to pick up one of her CDs on my way out. I believe Bekah Bossard did an exceptional job at preparing the crowd for Violet Grohl and was a smart choice for an opener. If you’re a fan of artists like Julia Jacklin or Phoebe Bridges, Bekah Bossard is definitely one to check out.
As soon as the lights dimmed and the opening guitar rang out Violet Grohl was straight into action no introduction needed. As the Final show on her tour, you could sense the energy shift in the room assimilating to match the vibrant intensity of her performance. The gritty guitar heavily draws on 90s guitar rock, blending the raw punk driven edge of bands like Hole, yet with dreamy shoe-gaze elements that imitate bands like Cocteau twins.
The crowd was lively throughout, feeding off the pulse and intensity of her sound. I thoroughly enjoyed her set and with so many stand out songs, choosing a favourite proved difficult. However, her song 595 particularly caught my attention and was definitely a crowd favourite, making it one of the most memorable songs of the night.
The audience was also treated to a preview of an unreleased track called Sun is Blind. If the performance was anything to draw off, it’s definitely one worth looking out for. I found myself completely hooked by the chorus and definitely seeing it earning a place on my playlist and will be eagerly awaiting its release.
Overall the set showcased an artist unafraid to experiment, balancing alternative rock's raw unfiltered energy with some more atmospheric dreamlike influences. Violets accompanying Musicians were equally impressive adding extra depth and character to what I already found as a compelling performance. Definitely was an energetic and exciting close the tour, leaving me keen to hear what comes next.
