Live Review + Gallery | Nation Of Language @ The Opium, Dublin

Nation Of Language

The Opium, Dublin

7th November 2025

Photography by Chea McArdle

Chea McArdle

Hi my name is Chea and I dove into the world of band photography midway through 2023. I was really involved in the amazing music scene at uni in Falmouth, making friends with lots of super talented people. After uni I really wanted to explore the vibrant music scene within Belfast and used this creative drive to begin my exploration into the local scene and further my photography.
Im hoping to continue my photography journey further and capture many more great moments with many wonderful people!

Nation of Language bring their new album ‘Dance Called Memory’ to Dublin’s Opium for a nostalgic, cinematic performance

Nation of Language brought an enchanting energy to their sold-out show at the Opium in Dublin, filling the intimate venue with their signature pulsating beats and shimmering synths. The Brooklyn trio entranced the audience with their tight and polished sound that held a weight of nostalgic melancholy to it.

This was mirrored by the moody and cinematic lighting bathing the room in cool blues and warm ambers, pulsing perfectly in time with the rhythm. Nation of Languages’ vision for their sound felt clear and fulfilled as the band’s silhouettes bounced to the beat and melted into these washes of colour

The lead vocals of Ian Devaney cut clearly through this atmospheric flurry of colour that covered the stage, his confident delivery matched by a commanding stage presence. Devaney’s energetic movements danced in tandem to the surging synths and complementary bass of bandmates Aidan Noell (synthesizer, backing vocals), and Alex MacKay (bass guitar).

All three members brought effortless precision to the stage with only one charming stumble when Devaney attempted a few words of Gaeilge. It may not have been fully understood by the crowd at first but the endearing moment drew warm supportive cheers nonetheless – beside me a man shouted, “Grá mór” meaning much love.

That shared moment of connection made the crowd’s energy feel even more palpable, falling into the soft melodic trance and building their energy to a wave of cheers as the band hit upon crowd favourites like ‘On Division Street.’ With the venue packed wall-to-wall and energy radiating from the balcony above, no corner of the room was untouched by the vivid sound and visual identity that Nation of Language delivered that night.