One of the hottest acts in music, masked metalcore act PRESIDENT landed in Dublin on Sunday night [12th April 2026] for a sold-out show at the city's intimate Academy venue. Led by the dinner suited, Ronald Regan mask wearing Mr President, the band raised the roof with their short nine-song set.
Photo; Press.
A bit of mystique goes a long way. From KISS to Slipknot, Ghost, and Sleep Token, music history is littered with inventive bands that took the business of band image to new heights. Emerging at Download Festival 2025, PRESIDENT - stylised, like KISS, in all caps - are the latest act to embrace enigma.
And it's paying off. The band have quickly become one of the most talked-about new acts around. The hype is off the scale, but can the music live up to it?
With the Academy packed to capacity, Dublin has voted with a resounding yes, and the atmosphere is electric as the arrival of PRESIDENT nears. There's a genuine buzz in the air, heightened by the regular recorded announcements; "today you stand among the select few, chosen to be at a defining moment in history. The president will be arriving shortly".
When the band finally emerge, the energy surges. Taking position at the podium, frontman Mr President—dressed like Point Break's Bodhi mid-heist—cuts a striking figure. At around 6ft 4in, gesturing sharply in pristine white gloves, he exudes authority, and the crowd hangs on every movement.
'Fearless' opens the all-too-brief 45-minute set, laying out the band’s blueprint: emotive melodies and sweeping keys colliding with screamed vocals and punishing seven-string guitars.
‘Dionysus’ follows, and while the band—rounded out by guitarist Heist, bassist Protest, and drummer Vice—are impressively tight, there’s a welcome human edge to the live sound. Mr President’s vocals, less processed than on record, carry a raw intensity as he wrings every ounce of feeling from each line.
And it's paying off. The band have quickly become one of the most talked-about new acts around. The hype is off the scale, but can the music live up to it?
With the Academy packed to capacity, Dublin has voted with a resounding yes, and the atmosphere is electric as the arrival of PRESIDENT nears. There's a genuine buzz in the air, heightened by the regular recorded announcements; "today you stand among the select few, chosen to be at a defining moment in history. The president will be arriving shortly".
When the band finally emerge, the energy surges. Taking position at the podium, frontman Mr President—dressed like Point Break's Bodhi mid-heist—cuts a striking figure. At around 6ft 4in, gesturing sharply in pristine white gloves, he exudes authority, and the crowd hangs on every movement.
'Fearless' opens the all-too-brief 45-minute set, laying out the band’s blueprint: emotive melodies and sweeping keys colliding with screamed vocals and punishing seven-string guitars.
‘Dionysus’ follows, and while the band—rounded out by guitarist Heist, bassist Protest, and drummer Vice—are impressively tight, there’s a welcome human edge to the live sound. Mr President’s vocals, less processed than on record, carry a raw intensity as he wrings every ounce of feeling from each line.
Photo; Press.
A cover of Deftones' 'Change (In the House of Flies)' offers a slight deviation from their core sound - less luscious keys, more guitars - before an ethereal 'Conclave' brings the main set to an end, just six songs in.
The exhilarating 'Mercy' begins the encore, and with the set coming to an end, an announcement declares; "citizens of Dublin, let it be known, this is merely the opening chapter".
Closing with the 21 million streamed 'In the Name of the Father', the night ends on an emotional high, but all too tantalisingly soon. Mr President blows kisses and raises his arms in silent appreciation, never uttering a word before taking his final bow.
And with that, the Dublin stop on The Campaign Trail reaches its end. “We never set out to lead. But when enough people walk beside you, it becomes a march", the band have said. On this evidence, it's gathering serious momentum.
All photos provided by PRESIDENT.
The exhilarating 'Mercy' begins the encore, and with the set coming to an end, an announcement declares; "citizens of Dublin, let it be known, this is merely the opening chapter".
Closing with the 21 million streamed 'In the Name of the Father', the night ends on an emotional high, but all too tantalisingly soon. Mr President blows kisses and raises his arms in silent appreciation, never uttering a word before taking his final bow.
And with that, the Dublin stop on The Campaign Trail reaches its end. “We never set out to lead. But when enough people walk beside you, it becomes a march", the band have said. On this evidence, it's gathering serious momentum.
All photos provided by PRESIDENT.
