The Mary Wallopers returned to Belfast on 23 December fresh from five consecutive nights at Glasgow’s Barrowlands, and if there was any risk of fatigue, it never showed. From the opening song, pints were flying, and the room erupted into pure craic and camaraderie.
Arms were locked, voices were raised, and the crowd danced and sang in unison from start to finish, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a shared celebration than a gig. The sense of community in the room was unmistakable.
True to form, the band didn’t shy away from their political convictions. “Rich Man and the Poor Man” was pointedly dedicated to figures such as Benjamin Netanyahu and Jeff Bezos, drawing loud approval and chants from a crowd fully aligned with the message.
The modern trad legends kept the energy surging throughout, fuelled by their sharp wit, crowd-baiting jeers, and the sheer power of the band behind them. It was loud, joyous, and unrelenting.
On nights like this, it’s hard to imagine The Mary Wallopers not returning to Belfast again soon — and filling the SSE Arena once more feels not just likely, but inevitable.
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