Kicking off his 'Lost at Sea' tour, Chris Shiflett was back in Dublin on Wednesday (20th March 2024) for a night of good time Americana and country rock. More used to filling out stadiums with the Foo Fighters, the guitarist seemed right at home in the cosy confines of the Academy Green Room.
Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
As Dave Grohl's righthand man for the last two and a half decades, Chris Shiflett has been part of the band from their time as respected post-grunge outfit, to one of the biggest and most successful bands in the world. With some rare downtime from the day job, the singer / guitarist has in the last six months, taken the opportunity to release latest solo album 'Lost at Sea', and tonight in Dublin, he's launching a short tour in support of it.
As he recently told us, these dates are a world away from the huge shows that the Foos play. "It is a small little thing. My solo stuff operates at this tight little level", he said; "which is fun because you can keep making mistakes but you try to learn from them".
On a musical level, it's also a different beast, and although the licks, deft musicianship and earworms remain, the rock anthems are traded for cool Americana and southern country, with the overdrive toned down and the Fender Telecaster mostly taking centre stage. Supported by just a drummer and a bass player, it's as stripped back as it gets without going acoustic. However the three-piece are far from shy and retiring, and as the night progresses, their catchy tunes and positive assuredness prove simply infectious.
"Hey Dublin! Fuck yeah, it's good to be back!", exclaims Chris taking to the stage. Whether it was the pint of Guinness he had in the historic Long Hall bar before the show, or the pumped atmosphere in the room, it's clear that Shifty is raring to go. Kicking off with the shuffling 'Dead and Gone' and following with the down home stomp of 'Liar's Word', the trio set their stall out for what's to come; an evening filled with boogie, close harmonies, chicken pickin' licks, storied lyrics and good humour.
Despite asserting that "people come to Foo Fighters shows and they know every word to every song, but with my solo stuff, it's a little more like I'm out there trying to win people over", the crowd seem very familiar with the material, and are clearly loving every minute, singing along enthusiastically on the likes of the rollocking 'Heart's Already Gone', ode to his time in No Use For a Name 'Goodnight Little Rock', and the Eagles-esque 'Black Top White Lines',
As he recently told us, these dates are a world away from the huge shows that the Foos play. "It is a small little thing. My solo stuff operates at this tight little level", he said; "which is fun because you can keep making mistakes but you try to learn from them".
On a musical level, it's also a different beast, and although the licks, deft musicianship and earworms remain, the rock anthems are traded for cool Americana and southern country, with the overdrive toned down and the Fender Telecaster mostly taking centre stage. Supported by just a drummer and a bass player, it's as stripped back as it gets without going acoustic. However the three-piece are far from shy and retiring, and as the night progresses, their catchy tunes and positive assuredness prove simply infectious.
"Hey Dublin! Fuck yeah, it's good to be back!", exclaims Chris taking to the stage. Whether it was the pint of Guinness he had in the historic Long Hall bar before the show, or the pumped atmosphere in the room, it's clear that Shifty is raring to go. Kicking off with the shuffling 'Dead and Gone' and following with the down home stomp of 'Liar's Word', the trio set their stall out for what's to come; an evening filled with boogie, close harmonies, chicken pickin' licks, storied lyrics and good humour.
Despite asserting that "people come to Foo Fighters shows and they know every word to every song, but with my solo stuff, it's a little more like I'm out there trying to win people over", the crowd seem very familiar with the material, and are clearly loving every minute, singing along enthusiastically on the likes of the rollocking 'Heart's Already Gone', ode to his time in No Use For a Name 'Goodnight Little Rock', and the Eagles-esque 'Black Top White Lines',
Changing gear for the jaunty 'Damage Control', Shiflett announces that; "this is close as were ever going to get to a reggae song". before getting lost in the moment during an extended, exhilarating solo section in 'Weigh You Down', which prompts him to declare; "what just happened? How will we ever come down from that!"
Predictably, the encore debut of their recently released cover of Thin Lizzy's 'Cowboy Song' sends the crowd into a frenzy, which prompts a revelation from the taken aback singer who admits; "when we recorded that song we did not anticipate that the very first time we would play it live would be in Dublin. There's some poetry to that!
Taking their bows after a celebratory 'West Coast Town', it's clear that the night has been a triumph, with the crowd calling for a return and Shiflett joking that a Dublin show should be an annual event.
Chris returns to his regular gig shortly, with Foo Fighters headlining the final night of Hellfest in France in June, as well as a host of other high profile dates. Catch him up close and personal while you can.
Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Darren McLoughlin.
Predictably, the encore debut of their recently released cover of Thin Lizzy's 'Cowboy Song' sends the crowd into a frenzy, which prompts a revelation from the taken aback singer who admits; "when we recorded that song we did not anticipate that the very first time we would play it live would be in Dublin. There's some poetry to that!
Taking their bows after a celebratory 'West Coast Town', it's clear that the night has been a triumph, with the crowd calling for a return and Shiflett joking that a Dublin show should be an annual event.
Chris returns to his regular gig shortly, with Foo Fighters headlining the final night of Hellfest in France in June, as well as a host of other high profile dates. Catch him up close and personal while you can.
Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Darren McLoughlin.
