Ballymun natives Bricknasty brought undeniable style and confidence to their debut performance at DC9. The band has been steadily building a reputation across Ireland, and after witnessing this performance, it feels only a matter of time before that momentum reaches the United States. Even after recently replacing two key members, Bricknasty performed with the precision, poise and chemistry of a far more seasoned touring act.
The band is fronted by the balaclava-clad Fatboy, whose soulful vocals and expressive guitar work owe a clear debt to D’Angelo while remaining distinctly his own. At DC9 on July 7, his voice added warmth and emotion to every song without ever overshadowing the musicians around him. Between songs, Fatboy’s appreciation for the Washington audience was impossible to miss. He repeatedly thanked everyone for coming out and, at one point, stepped off the stage to hug a fan who knew nearly every lyric. That balance of magnetic stage presence and genuine humility made him instantly endearing.
While Fatboy naturally commanded attention, Bricknasty’s live sound was elevated by the remarkable musicianship surrounding him. Drummer Korey Thomas and multi-instrumentalist Sam Healy were especially impressive throughout the evening, though bassist Chris La Motte and producer Cillian McCauley were equally important pieces of the band’s groove.
Watch Bricknasty perform live for Audiotree Live on YouTube:
Thomas anchored the performance with dynamic, hard-hitting rhythms that drove every song while allowing plenty of room for the band’s jazz, R&B and soul influences to flourish. His snare had an especially crisp snap that made standing still nearly impossible, even during an unnamed unreleased track built almost entirely around his drumming. Healy’s rich saxophone lines complemented those rhythms beautifully, creating one of the smoothest live ensembles to emerge from Ireland in recent years. Songs such as “ina crueler” showcased the band’s remarkable versatility, shifting effortlessly between jazz, soul and R&B in the space of a few bars.
Bricknasty’s musicianship was perhaps most evident during the moments that weren’t scripted. Midway through the set, Fatboy and Thomas engaged in a playful improvisational routine in which Fatboy would extend moments of silence before signaling the band to resume. Each teasing pause served as a test of Thomas’ timing, and he never missed a beat.
That composure was tested again when part of Thomas’ drum kit unexpectedly broke. Rather than losing momentum, the rest of the band seamlessly improvised while he made the repair, with La Motte even grabbing a drumstick to help maintain the groove. It was an effortless display of chemistry that highlighted just how comfortable these musicians are playing together.
When the set finally came to a close, Fatboy once again thanked the crowd and promised he intended to speak with everyone who had attended. It sounded like a throwaway remark, but he followed through, spending nearly an hour chatting with fans. The rest of the band was equally generous with their time, greeting concertgoers with a level of gratitude that only made the talented young group more appealing.
During one of those conversations, Healy shared that Bricknasty is working on a new collection of more pop-focused material in the vein of fan favorite XONGZ. Assuming visas cooperate, American audiences hopefully won’t have to wait long before welcoming the band back.
Watch the official music video for “mouthy” by Bricknasty on YouTube:
The night’s other standout performance came from opener Beam Zillion, whose set proved every bit as unconventional as Bricknasty’s was polished. Performing alone with looping pedals and vocal effects, Beam Zillion transformed the stage into something wholly unexpected. His reserved entrance, complete with understated attire and scholarly-looking glasses, concealed the controlled chaos that followed. Vein-straining screams, distorted vocals and layered loops combined into what felt like alien punk filtered through experimental art rock. Whether or not the music aligned with every listener’s taste, the complete commitment to the performance demanded admiration.
Here are some photos of Bricknasty performing live at DC9 on July 7, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Roman Meerzaman.
Here are some photos of Beam Zillion performing live at DC9 on July 7, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Roman Meerzaman.
