Pebbledash, Jean Pack, and Mirrors: A Constellation of Cork’s Creatives

By Emily Mayo, Deputy Features Editor

The stars were out on Thursday the 28th of November, and I’m not just talking about the twinkly lights on the ceiling of Kino Events House. Jean Pack and Mirrors opened for the last stop of Pebbledash’s first tour around Ireland, and all three bands shone on stage. 

 Jean Pack 28.11.2024                                 Phoebe Buffay in Friends

The night began with Jean Pack’s charming set, complemented by projections of Cork City circa 1990s playing on a screen behind the band. Although it was a stripped back set without all of their members, Jean Pack was able to rock on with the company of Inchworm on bass and Mick Flare on the organ.

Jean Pack’s charm lies in their ability to blend humour, rawness, and a touch of theatricality into a performance that felt both personal and universal. Their set was pure fun. The titular lead singer, decked out in furs and strumming her acoustic guitar, brought an energy reminiscent of what the patrons of Central Perk might have hoped for from Phoebe Buffay in the sitcom Friends: quirk, edge, and attuned singing.

The opening number, “Baby’s in a T-Shirt,” set the tone with its playful yet poignant lyrics: ‘Baby’s in a t-shirt / Mommy’s in a nappy / Nobody’s ever happy.’ Delivered with a mix of mischievous humour and earnest fervour, the song had the crowd laughing, nodding, and even wailing along like the titular baby through the end of the song.

Their closing song, “Ciao, Bella” was a bittersweet ode to the grit and grace of urban life, singing ‘On the streets there are creeps I don’t know / There’s piss on the seats on the way home / Oh it’s bad to have a bad day in Rome.’ Niamh’s raspy vocals and the melancholic hum of Flare’s organ added a wistful element to the song, while their lyrics, equal parts cheeky and impactful, stuck with the audience who sang along. Jean Pack’s performance set the perfect foundation for the night ahead, leaving the audience eager for what Mirrors and Pebbledash would bring.

Mirrors 28.11.24 

Mirrors took to the stage for their first gig in quite some time, proving that the wait was well worth it. The Cork-based melancholic rock band, known for their raw edge and cutting lyrics brought a captivating mix of old favourites and fresh tracks to the venue.

Opening with the haunting “Fall on Your Knees,” the band immediately pulled the audience into their world of brooding melodies and atmospheric soundscapes. The new addition to the lineup, drummer Fionán “Junior” O’Riordan, brought a dynamic presence to the stage, seamlessly anchoring the band’s layered arrangements with his steady beats.  

The band followed with their new, unreleased song “Alive,” a track defined by its hypnotic rhythm and introspective lyrics: ‘Well, I saw hell in your eyes / I was there to plan your demise / I can’t make it out this time / I won’t make it out alive.’ The song’s momentum moved the audience as lead singer Jodie Lyne’s siren-like voice cut through the haze of reverb to stun the crowd.

One of the night’s most memorable moments came with the performance of “Echoes,” the opening track from their recent EP, Envious of the Faithful. The song began with a tender, restrained melody before rising to an explosive crescendo, its emotional resonance growing with each passing verse: ‘And speak for yourself when you’re lonely / And speak for yourself around me / And speak for yourself when your heart breaks.’ The climactic refrain, ‘He’ll run / He’ll run / He’ll run away from home,’ and the repetition of its mournful conclusion, ‘He’s not coming home,’ added a raw and devastating power to the performance, making it a moment that lingered in the hearts of the audience long after their final bow.

Mirrors concluded their set by sharing the exciting news that their upcoming EP, Eyes Like Mine, will launch in the coming months. Judging by the night’s electrifying performance, it promises to be an unmissable release. 

Pebbledash 28.11.24   

Pebbledash, the headliners of the evening, proved once again why they’re one of the most essential acts emerging from Ireland’s music scene today. The six-piece band blended their eclectic talents to create a performance that was nothing short of exhilarating. Drawing inspiration from traditional Irish forms, including sean-nós singing, Pebbledash brought an innovative edge to their music. They’re a band that consistently denies convention, proving that more is more, as every member is essential to creating their banshee alternative rock sound. 

From the moment they took the stage, the musicians of Pebbledash entranced the audience with Michéal O’Dwyer’s vital lead guitar, Cormac Donovan O'Neill’s mastery of synths, Asha Egan McCutcheon’s ethereal vocals, Eoin Schuch’s driving percussion, Fionnbharr Hickey’s textured guitar work and vocal harmonies, and Jack Cashman’s resonant basslines.

Standouts from their set include “Carraig Aonair,” an Irish folk song inspired by a drowning at Fastnet Rock that Asha brought to the band when she joined earlier this year. Pebbledash created a haunting soundscape with Fionnbharr using a violin bow over his guitar, producing a wailing, atmospheric backdrop to Asha’s sorrowful storytelling. As she recounted the tragic tale of a family lost off a West Cork lighthouse, the audience fell utterly silent, captivated by the raw vulnerability of the moment. With its theatrical and experimental elements, Pebbledash’s performance of “Carraig Aonair” was the epitome of live music.

“Killer Lover,” an explosive track dedicated to Cork, ignited the room. A known crowd favourite, its irresistible hook - ‘I don’t want you / I want you to want me,’ and an infectious rhythm had the audience headbanging, twirling, and stomping their feet with wild abandon. It was Pebbledash at their most electric, channelling a boundless energy only their six-piece can deliver.

The set took a reflective turn with “Soak,” which opened with a heartfelt soliloquy from Fionnbharr. The monologue wove nostalgia and yearning, building around lines like, ‘I miss you more now than words can repeat.’ Verses beginning with ‘Remember…’ invited the audience into a collective memory, creating an intimate, almost time-capsule effect. As the song built, the entire band joined in, their layered instrumentation intensifying the sense of longing until it erupted into a cathartic climax.

Pebbledash 28.11.24    

It seems all roads lead back to Cork, as this performance marked the last stop on Pebbledash’s month-long tour of Ireland, which saw them play iconic venues across Dublin, Galway, Belfast, Kinsale, and Limerick before returning for their closing gig.

As Asha sang the final notes of their closing song “Cell,” and the band took their bow, I noticed a glass of Murphy’s stout sat by her feet, and found it to be a quiet, quintessentially Corkonian reminder that while Pebbledash may be destined for greater stages, their roots remain firmly planted in their home city. The evening was a celebration of artistry, community, and the power of live music. As the lights dimmed on Kino Events House, one thing was clear: these three acts have bright futures ahead.