SMO’S RECENT SHOW AT THE SOUNDHOUSE WAS A STANDOUT PERFORMANCE.

First, a shoutout to the support acts. We unfortunately missed Starcurrent due to schedule conflicts, but you could still feel the buzz from the crowd when we arrived. We’ve been following the Dublin-based band for a while and are keen to catch one of their shows soon!

Next up was Amy Michelle, whose poignant songs and ethereal vocals never fail to captivate. I’ve been lucky enough to see her live a few times, and her performances always stay fresh. Her song “Nothing Holy is Free” in particular drew me in, and she closed her set with a slowed down version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, getting the entire crowd singing along.

Then came the headliner himself. Having first seen SMO during Amy Michelle’s acoustic bookshop tour in November, it was exciting to watch him with a full band. While his acoustic set is fantastic, the band adds a welcome layer to his songs, creating a richer, more dynamic sound.

What really makes SMO stand out is his charisma and connection with the audience. On stage, he’s effortlessly engaging, switching between playful banter and heartfelt storytelling that makes every song feel personal. His voice carries both intimacy and power, drawing the listener in, while his stage presence commands attention without ever feeling overbearing.

From the moment he stepped on stage, the crowd was ready for the night ahead. What particularly stood out to me was how the audience contributed to the atmosphere - every single person seemed to be having the best time, and the energy in the room was infectious. The crowd made it clear that his music resonates far beyond the stage.

Even when SMO teased some unreleased songs, the crowd remained fully engaged, with people dancing and singing along wherever they could. The new tracks have such a good vibe that I’m certain they’ll be instant crowd favourites once released. We’ll be keeping an eye on his page for details and crossing our fingers they’ll be available to stream soon!

Overall, the night showcased SMO’s talent, the strength of his band, and the vibrancy of Dublin’s live music scene. If this show was anything to go by, SMO is one to watch in 2026, and his live performances are not to be missed.