The furore in the lead up to this year's Arthur's Day celebration has been quite something to behold - everyone from representatives of the medical profession through to some of our most revered song-writers have weighed in with a contribution, condemning the now annual event as nothing more than a cynical marketing wheeze that provides us yet another excuse to over indulge in what is undoubtedly our favourite national pastime.
Whatever your thoughts on the day itself, there is no question that as a marketing ploy, it has been a resounding success, and the event organisers' ability to pull together a diverse range of national and international big hitters will ensure that it continues to capture the imagination of the public.
So to the music, and Toy Soldier entertained a scattering of early evening revellers in the Mercantile with their brand of Electro Rock. Their slick, commercial sound bears some resemblance to successful nineties acts like Roxette and Garbage - don't be surprised if you hear a lot more about this trio in the near future.
Hogans Bar on Georges Street had a tasty line-up to celebrate the day that was in it - first up was September Girls, an all-girl five piece hailing from Dublin. Their combination of surf pop guitars, Phil Spector drum beats and honey layered harmonies was a winner. Despite battling with sound problems that rendered the vocals all but inaudible, there was enough to suggest that September Girls have something a little bit different going on. Songs like 'Green Eyed' and 'Wanting More' offer a tantalising glimpse of what the future might hold for this promising band - their debut album is due out early next year.
The place was heaving by the time The Minutes took to the stage at around 8pm. Since the release of their first album Marcata in 2011, The Minutes' rise has been relentless, and on the evidence of this show, it is easy to see why they are rated one of the most incendiary live acts in the country. Quite simply, The Minutes rock and rock hard - growling, distorted bass, monster guitar riffs and frenetic drums make for a simple but devastatingly effective backdrop for singer Mark Austin's straight up rock and roll delivery. The Minutes don't do subtlety - they deliver a scorching set at maximum volume, leaving the crowd baying for more.
And so on to Whelan's, with speculation rife as to which of the big name acts would be pencilled in for a Wexford Street appearance. As it turned out, it was local boys made good The Script who managed to take their arena rock sound into the cosier confines of Whelan's and still sound like the slick, professional outfit they have become since forming in 2001.
Let's be honest -The Script are easy targets for music journalists who find their cloying, anthemic pop rock just a little too safe, contrived and chart friendly. But nobody who attended Whelan's last night could deny that The Script do what they do very well indeed - Danny O'Donoghue and the boys had the crowd eating out of their hands from the very first song. They played all the hits, with 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved' drawing a particularly rapturous response. The reality is that The Script are beyond the clutches of curmudgeonly hacks and journos and operate at a level where success is measured in multi platinum discs and audience participation on a grand scale.
And that was it for another year -Arthur's Day 2013 delivered the usual mix of local home-grown talent and international superstars and despite the cynicism and sniping that accompanied this year's event, it looks like it's here to stay.
Words: Paul Page
Read Killian Barry's review of Arthur's Day, Emeli Sande, Iggy Azalea and The Script here.
