Cliffords – The Academy, Dublin – Live Review – 12/11/25
by Killian Laher

Date – Wednesday, 12th November, 2025

Fresh from a fine support slot with Queens of the Stone Age a few months ago, the Dublin venue was packed to capacity for the visit of Cliffords.  Support came from Maicín, who came across like everyone’s favourite student band, playing droll songs like One Channel Television and Che Guevara for the crowd to bop along to.

But it was the main act, Cliffords, that raised the stakes completely.  Much rockier live than on the recorded versions, the band really got the crowd going early on with If The Shoe Fits and a trumpet-enhanced Second Skin.  The five-piece band were tight, delivering songs like R&H Hall and Dungarvan Bay with minimum fuss, and in Iona Lynch, they have a highly charismatic lead singer.  Lynch really owned the stage, alternating between acoustic and electric guitar as she belted out the songs.  Her vocals are reminiscent of Florence Welch, sure, but she puts her own spin on them.  Their set climaxed with a euphoric Sleeping With Ghosts before finishing with Bittersweet.

The band was blown away by the audience reaction, and by the end of their set, it was clear they had nothing left to give.  Definitely a band to watch out for in the new year!