Dea Matrona has witnessed somewhat of a meteoric rise in recent times. The roots of the Irish group were forged on the streets of Belfast, where the duo would busk in their formative years. The pair very quickly gained attention both at home and on social media.
The band's trajectory has been skyward following tours and shows alongside Foo Fighters' guitarist Chris Shiflett, Kaleo, and a European run with Eagles of Death Metal. Subsequently, last year, the dynamic duo made their North East debut supporting Kris Barras at the Riverside in Newcastle.
Fast forward to the present day and Orlaith and Mollie released their debut album, For Your Sins, last week. On Wednesday evening, Dea Matrona returned to the North East as headliners in their own right, where the band performed in front of a packed crowd at The Cluny in Newcastle.
North East rising stars Zela were a bonus to the bill. The band have been up and down the country in recent times, with dates as far afield as Toronto, Canada. It was great to see the Brat Pop outfit back on home turf. The group received a warm welcome from the Tyneside crowd.
From the moment Zela hit the stage, lead vocalist Liv Griff commanded the room during I Want Attention. Whilst Sleep Real Bad is truly an earworm, with its catchy hooks, you can't get it out of your head. Recent singles like Love Ya, Gaslighting Isn't Real …, and High Wasted Genes rounded out a superb set.
Dea Matrona made an entertaining entrance to the stage to the sounds of their take on My Sharona by The Knack. The band used a play on words to change the chorus to Dea Matrona, which worked well and was a light-hearted way to start what was going to be a fun night ahead.
With their debut album in tow, the band performed the lion's share of their latest offering in the set. Unlike their last appearance in the region, the band were joined onstage by a drummer and guitarist who helped to fill out the band's sound.
The group got the show underway with a foot-stomping airing of Stamp On It, the funky Get My Mind Off, and Stuck On You. There was room for a few covers, the first of which was a brilliant rendition of Kiss by Prince.
Orlaith and Mollie struck up a rapport with the audience. There was a great connection with those at the front, and at one point, Orlaith even took one fan's phone to take a selfie with the crowd and posed for pictures. The pair are incredibly versatile musicians and frequently swapped instruments during the show.
A cover of Fleetwood Mac's Oh Well was one of the highlights of the show. The band slowed things down with a beautiful stripped-back airing of Glory, Glory (I Am Free). The band showcased the depth of their repertoire with the country stylings of Dead Man's Heart, which came complete with pink cowboy hats.
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Since its appearance on Saltburn, Murder on The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis Bextor is a song which has come back to the forefront. And subsequently, it's a cover that has been requested from the group's fans on this tour. And the band did not disappoint their followers.
Dea Matrona rounded out their main set with fan favourite Red Button, before returning to the stage for a well-deserved encore of Make You My Star.
It may have been Dea Matrona’s first headline date in Newcastle, but based on the response garnered on Wednesday night, it won't be their last; a bright future beckons.
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