The Coronas crank up the party atmosphere Live at the Marquee with an electric performance  

You’d be forgiven for thinking playing in Cork is a hometown gig for The Coronas, such is the warm response the group always get from crowd at Live at the Marquee, and Friday night was no different.

The concert series, now in its seventeenth year, has moved to a brand new location in the former Tedcastle’s yard – directly across the road from the old haunt.

Speaking to Downtown prior to the gig, lead singer of The Coronas Danny O’Reilly said the crowd could expect a couple of things – sun and the type of concert where you’re singing along and throwing your arms around the person next to you. His predictions were accurate – “we are haunted with the weather today,” O’Reilly said during the show.

By the time The Coronas took to the stage, along with their live band full of other Irish artists, the crowd had already enjoyed local Cork five-piece The Cliffords.

“It’s so amazing to be back in the Marquee. Thank you for being here with us,” Danny said.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m just going to enjoy this moment.” 

Classic hits

The band’s classic hits sounded as electric as ever with Feel it Close, Heroes or Ghosts and Addicted to Progress going down a storm with the packed venue.

The iconic blue and yellow tent erupted with the crowd singing along with every lyric. It’s obvious that many of the fans have seen The Coronas live before, and many of them have been following them since the early days of their career.

These fans were rewarded on Friday night with The Coronas playing a new song Ghosted, which they said was about that person you love to hang out with so much that you put your phone away.

During the show, musicians from the live band - Roisin O, Danny’s sister, and Cian McSweeney of True Tides each took their turn at centre stage for duets with Danny.

It’s rare in these days of autotune that an artist sounds as good live as on record, but The Coronas, and Danny himself sound better live than on any recording.

They finished on perhaps their most recognisable number San Diego Song. 

Aptly finishing on the lyrics “we’re going out tonight,” it encompassed the summer party atmosphere at Live at the Marquee perfectly.