Munky Live At Lost Lane With Support From Toshín and Shaky Shack

It’s no secret that Dublin’s Munky know how to put on a show. Not only do they perform with vigor and energy, they always pull in support acts that equally keep the animated dance vibe going with tasty tunes and wonderful characters on stage. Sunday Night in Lost Lane Dublin was a prime night to see these guys.

Toshín kick started the night. Front woman Tosin Bankole spirals on stage, twirling in her dress as her welcoming smile and cheery dramatic gestures beckon the crowd closer. The band begin their vibrant, rich, soul-infused, pop-funk with gusto changing the atmosphere to one of fun, friendly and groove-filled bliss. Bankole’s vocals kick in and she slaps you in the face with her vocal control, power and sheer soul. With blends of Motown creating a classic chicness to the compelling sass and RnB peppering this band are mesmerising to watch but also their tunes are utterly luscious on the ears. Each track features sublime bass grooves, slick guitar maneuvers, warm Sax blasts and chiming keys as the band build and progressively blend their tracks into a pure rich musical concoction brimming with attitude. The harmonies are crisp and sweet and the vibrant percussion had the crowd bopping and dancing along. Backing vocalist Shannon Doyle is a ray of sunshine. She dances and blends sublimely with Bankole’s vocals while providing another strong and commanding soulful element to the band. Songs about cheating boyfriends and daddy issues has the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. Not even a broken guitar string stops this band. They laugh off its rude interruption grab another guitar and play on. These guys have it all – showmanship, charismatic persona and proficient musicians to tie it all together in one joyful melodious bow. Toshín are a must see.

The blissfully chilled and charming Shaky Shack follow. Their jazz dipped alternative pop creates a narcotic and soothing groove that submerges the venue in luxurious sounds. Although frontman Alex Winter has the flu it is not noticeable until he apologizes for hoarse tones and the odd cough. They cruise through their set with mellowed-out ease. Mateusz Kosnik swooshes through the slinky, funk-dipped guitar lines – his hair covering his face as he submerges himself in their tunes ethereal vibes. With Andrea Louise Jones on sax the band’s sweet and exquisite sound becomes warm and cosy within the psychedelic haze. Drummer Sam Russell taps and chimes carefully providing the perfect sway-able tempo and intricate beat to the sweet cooing melodies. The crowd engage with Winter’s 1,2 mic check halfway through the set. They shout back 1,2 as he laughs and banters with them. Winter displays his cheeky rebellious side when he points out a guard in the crowd while he hushes the crowd for the sing along “sucking on a blunt with the boys” lyric. The crowd jeer and happily play along. It was a brilliant end to their set list that had the crowd laughing, belting out the lyrics and dancing uncontrollably. Shaky Shack displayed slick proficient musicianship on the night. They were a joy to watch. The band are releasing a new track ‘In Honey’ in November and that is going to be one sweet treat. Make sure to check it out.

The crowd shout “we love you” and cheer as Munky triumphantly take to the stage. Bassist Niall Donnelly shouts “hello we’re called Munky and we play lots of songs and this is one of many of them” before the powerful ‘One In Five’ kicks in. The room erupts immediately as the crowd fall under Munky’s spell. Conor Lawlor’s precise guitar work pierces and pines through the mighty backdrop while the tight groove on bass weaves and wiggles with a dark undertone throughout. Straight away the crowd are moshing, jumping and singing back the lyrics. The band has gone all out. They have a dazzling light display and their tunes sound fresh robust and slick. As always Zachary Stephenson’s rasped, powerful vocals are full of conviction. These guys were born showmen and they pour every fibre of their being into their shows adding humor and fun into everything they do while maintaining a precise and polished display. Lawlor adds little flurries of extra finesse in his guitar work as he strides, poses and flicks his hair in a very suave manner while Donnelly provides the panache-soaked poses on the right of the stage. Their fans are dedicated for sure. They dance the night away grabbing each other to wiggle and group together for moshing mania. One member of the crowd willingly allows the flashing lights to blind him. Even after Stephenson warns him “no no don’t blind yourself” he refuses to move as if the sight of these guys on stage was the perfect last image he ever wanted. Unfazed from his previous stint on drums with Shaky Shack Sam Russell provides the all important rhythmic foundation with ease. Spinning his drumsticks he confidently paves the way for ‘You’ve Got Male’ as the tracks take a more raw, kinetic dimension live. When you think these guys can’t get any better they play new single ‘Megaton’. Lawlor’s guitar squeals between the thick muggy, crashing wall of sound as the eerie lighting gives a breathtaking visual element to the song in a live setting. It’s a well executed set as the band balance their heavy first half with the fun disco second half with the help of Andrea Louise Jones on sax. Munky always have amazing backing vocalists on their live shows and on Sunday that was provided by the incredibly talented Sinead McConville and Lauren Murphy. Crowd favourite ‘Ms Communication’ and ‘Cuck Rock’ spark mass sing-alongs while an emotional rendition of ‘I Can’t Quit’ is performed by Stephenson. Basked in a dim light he sings the track with tender, sweet emotion before the band join him for the blistering crescendo. The crowd knew every word and guitar riff – some did air guitar while others executed an air drum display. The crowd dance non stop for the entire set as shredding guitar solos, intricate infectious bass lines and brawn-filled drumming adorn the venue with the band’s signature funky sound.

Munky put on a frantic, vibrant show filled with fun, dancing and first rate musicianship on Sunday night. They have refined their set to a blast of energetic delicious tunes. It was a charismatic explosive and oh so funky night as Munky brought a sensational set to Lost Lane.