“Rock n’ Roll!”: Gurriers light up The Cluny
Written by Cian Mortimer on 2nd April 2025
Photo: Cian Mortimer
April Fool’s Day saw Irish post-punkers Gurriers bring their unadulterated, raw energy to the Toon; but Gurriers are no joke.
Early on during the set of opening band Theatre, the crowd were already on side. One eager patron exclaiming “Rock n’ Roll!”- quite concise and quite a fitting way to set the tone for the night that was set to unfold.
Theatre are a band hailing from Limerick in Ireland, and last night I really felt like they channeled their fellow Limerick natives The Cranberries. The vocals were haunting, in the vein of the late Dolores O’Riordáin, and the guitars sounded absolutely massive.
Where Theatre were atmospheric and resonant, Gurriers took to the stage in their wake and turned the energy levels up to eleven. Gurriers came to leave their mark on Tyneside and frontman Dan Hoff did his part to rally the crowd into action.
As the band prepared to take to the stage, “I can’t take my eyes off you” rang out over the PA system. As the audience singalong reached its crescendo, the band appeared on stage to join in. With everyone riled up, it was straight into the thick of it.
Believe me when I say Gurriers were not a single bit shy about getting stuck in. At one stage bassist Charlie McCarthy seemed to disappearing, before reappearing around the side and launching himself into the middle of the pit.
Drawing close to end of the night Hoff left his proactive perch leaning over the edge of the stage to put himself into the mixer. He found himself half way across the floor, with a wired microphone I may add. Thankfully it didn’t get knocked loose.
That energy was also appreciated and reflected by the crowd and then some. My friend and I made the mistake of not finishing our drinks in time, and needless to say it only took seconds for those to go flying.
Fans of the band who flocked to Ouseburn to sell out the gig, were treated to both fan favourites from the band’s debut album with a few unreleased tracks sprinkled in too. Sign of the Times and Approachable getting particularly big reactions. Especially when Hoff declared “this is our first song, this is an antifascist song” before launching headfirst into their hit Approachable.
There were shouts throughout the night calling for Gurriers to return to Newcastle, one particularly demanding fan wanted them back next week. Hoff very quick-wittedly replied that they’d be back if said patron was buying
While I can’t promise that everyone left the venue as dry as they entered, I’m certain that nobody can claim to have been short changed. Gurriers delivered exactly what it says on the tin- banging tunes and 110% energy. Or as one particularly pleased patron put it, “rock n’ roll!”.
