Like a tricky challenge on one of those Radio 4 panel shows, attempting to review Kodaline without mentioning Coldplay is practically impossible.
While the comparisons to Chris Martin rather flattered the band on their 2013 debut, the top five follow-up largely passes muster as soaring, widescreen indie rock with a tendency to mope.
But Kodaline’s former life as contestants on an X Factor-style talent show in Ireland hasn’t entirely left them, judging by the screaming girls at this sold-out gig. Much of the adoration was focused on frontman Steve Garrigan, who played harmonica, strummed a mandolin and delivered an endearingly scrappy vocal over the folkish stomp of Love Like This.
There was a more epic quality to several new tunes, including the hollering harmonies of Unclear (shades of U2) and the sharp riffs on Lost (more like Muse).
Inevitably, Kodaline’s blatant homage to Coldplay was the centrepiece. Buoyed by an audience singalong that began before Garrigan could utter the first line, One Day was a throwback to Yellow that was hard to resist.
The set was blighted by balladry such as The One, a mawkish song written for their recording engineer’s wedding. But the galloping synth-rock of comeback single Honest was evidence of the evolution in their songwriting.
By the time of Kodaline’s next album, Chris Martin might have more reason to worry.
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