Stage Stories: Picture This live from the 3Arena, Dublin

Picture This Lights Up Dublin's 3Arena with Electrifying Hometown Show

Date- 25th October 2023

Venue- 3Arena, Dublin

Rating- 4/5 stars

Picture This, the Irish four-piece, graced the 3Arena in Dublin on Wednesday night for the first of two unforgettable hometown performances. Having being the first band to sell out five consecutive nights in this venue back in 2018, the hopes were high for Picture This fans upon their return to the iconic venue. Having followed their journey for eight years and seen them perform five times, it's evident that they keep raising the bar with every show. A night with this talented four-piece is a promise of unforgettable memories.

This Irish four-piece has everything you could want from a pop band, with frontman Ryan exuding charisma and delivering flawless vocals that captivate the energetic crowd who are fully immersed in the energetic stage performance. Drummer Jimmy's impeccable beats seamlessly complement bassist cliff and guitarist Owen's thrilling riffs, all harmonising to create a memorable musical experience.

We arrived just after eight that night, realising that we had missed the first of the evening's two opening acts. Tom Gregory, the English singer-songwriter, had treated the early arrivals to a dynamic 30-minute performance. Following his performance, British Eurovision Star, Sam Ryder took to the stage and played an energetic set to get the crowd ready for Picture This due to take to the stage shortly after 9pm. Running for pints before the main act began, we returned to floor only to discover a DJ Duo preparing to take the stage. This was a welcomed surprise from the usual pre-concert playlist that typically played through the 3Arena's speakers, preparing the crowd for what the four-piece, Ryan, Jimmy, Owen and Cliff, had in store for the eager crowd.

Kicking off the set with one of their newest singles, Red Lights, Picture This made a captivating entrance onto the stage. The backdrop featured illuminated trees, a car, and a box adorned with fair lights, setting the stage for an eagerly awaited performance. Transitioning seamlessly into Things Are Different, a song inspired by the pandemic, the crowds enthusiasm grew as Ryan's charismatic, energetic performance took centre stage. Travelling back to 2018, the audience was flooded with nostalgia as Ryan chanted "Dublin, Dublin, Dublin" and sang the opening lines to When We Were Young.

Continuing the journey down memory lane, the next heart-wrenching ballad in the lineup was This Morning. Ryan stood beneath a solitary spotlight, allowing the audience to fully appreciate his dynamic vocal abilities. The standout moment of the evening, cherished by both myself and everyone in attendance, was the performance of One night. Ryan took a moment to engage with the crowd, asking "Are you having a good time tonight? I know you are, I can feel it." Before making the crowd emotional by continuing with "We haven’t played the 3Arena in a long time but this is our home. This is our home venue. You are our home people.”

Delighting both the OG Picture This fans and newcomers, the band delivered a setlist that included favourites like "You & I". During this track, Ryan playfully landed a smooch on guitarist Owen, reminiscent of Matty Healy's recent antics in Malaysia, adding a touch of charm to the show. Tracks like Never Change resonated with the OG fans, while newer hots from their 2021 album, Life in Colour, such as Addict of Magic, Unconditional, and LA House Party, allowed recent fans to join in and sing their hearts out. The emotional climax of the evening arrived with Ireland, a love letter to the band's home. Holding the Irish tricolour aloft, Ryan Hennessy passionately serenaded the crowd before him, creating a truly unforgettable moment.

Next up, One Drink, the only song from MDRN LOVE was played which rose the energy levels to an ultimate high. Then Ryan introduced their most recent single, Leftover Love with a playful remark, "We have been testing it out to see which crowd sings it the best and I have a sneaky feeling it’s going to be you", and, of course, in true Dublin fashion, the crowd belted out the lyrics, creating a thunderous uproar that surely ranked among th loudest Ryan has ever heard.

Admitting that he had always wanted to be in the crowd of a Picture This concert when the next song was played, they moved swiftly into Addicted To You, before closing the set with the emotional Song to Myself, adding the chorus of U2's With or Without You in its midst to really set the emotions high. Running off stage, the crowd took a few moments to gather themselves before the encore began.

Returning to the stage, the lads graced their fans with a "Dublin Exclusive" of the title track from the upcoming album Parked Car Conversations, before finishing their set with the song that set them on this musical journey, Take My Hand, a classic for both OG fans and new comers to the Picture This scene.

Picture This delivered a memorable performance at the 3Arena on Wednesday night, seamlessly blending their new and old tracks to keep the audience dancing and singing along throughout the night. Once again, it's safe to say that attending a Picture This gig guarantees a fantastic night of music and entertainment.