A Mad Dog fuelled St Paddy’s celebration

A Mad Dog fuelled St Paddy’s celebration

Mad Dog McRea, Exeter Phoenix, Saturday 16th March

By Jenna Richards

Once again Mad Dog McRea were brilliant.

The first time I’d watched a full set from the unique Irish Celtic folk rock band was St Paddy’s weekend last year. I was so impressed by the tunes and wowed by the tempo that this was the third time in a year I’d watched the band.

The Exeter Phoenix auditorium was packed and the energetic audience, spurred on by the fantastic music bounced, danced and partied the night away.

From self penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life to traditional anecdotes referring to gypsies, fairies and black flies the band took the audience on an engaging yet sometimes obscure lyrical journey.

They even threw in their take on classic Whisky in the Jar – a traditional Irish song made famous when Thin Lizzie covered it in the 1970 and brought to a wider rock audience by Metallica in 1998.

Mad Dog McRea know how to get an audience going and never disappoint. This was another blinding show from a band who just keep giving. Next time they are in your neck of the words make sure you get a ticket.