The Beths @ Button Factory, Dublin - September 17, 2025

When I found out I was going to Dublin again this year, I looked up what live shows might line up with the trip, and The Beths immediately jumped out. A few weeks ago, having liked some of their songs on my Spotify workout playlist, I decided to give them a good listen and stumbled across their live album. I've listened to it a few times, deciding they'd be a fun live show. 

We were in Dublin for a busy week, with my partner onboarding for a new job, and being a mid-week show, he was a bit tired. So we didn't stay for the encore; but I was in luck, because the one song I definitely did not want to miss was "Little Death" which they played 3rd from last. We also caught their biggest songs "Expert in a Dying Field" and "Future Me Hates Me".  

My initial attraction to The Beths is their fun energy. They can definitely write a catchy, danceable song. "No Joy" was a great bouncy early track. "Uptown Girl" brought the energy back up mid-set. And "I'm Not Getting Excited" was a similarly energetic track late in the set.

It's always great to hear the songs you want to hear, but what sets a concert above the pack for me, is when I'm grabbed by a song I don't know. "Mother, Pray for Me", with Elizabeth Stokes singing and playing guitar solo (while her bandmates listened intently from the drum riser) was a beautiful moment. I also think "Mosquitoes" stood out live, but listening back now, I'm not sure why - it probably showcased Stokes' pretty voice. 

I found myself during (and now revisiting) the show being reminded of the Cranberries.  Maybe this is because I was in Dublin and heard them pop up several times, but I think The Beths hit similar musical territory to the Cranberries, in that they can write (and perform) a surging, uplifting song, but also have stunningly beautiful quiet moments. 

The Beths played their entire new album, Straight Line Was a Lie, interwoven throughout the set, which isn't always the case, even when that's what the tour is promoting. The ten new songs were balanced by ten songs from their earlier three albums. 

There was some pretty good banter between the band and audience, beginning with one of them asking where the best Guinness in Dublin was. If that wasn't designed to get a response...!? Then they reminisced about trying the notorious 'spice bag' (deep-fried modern Irish takeaway consisting of chips, chicken, veg and Chinese spices), to much amusement.

The Button Factory itself was very cool. Only 900 capacity and laid out really well, with several levels to help line-of-sight. There's even some tall tables dotted near the back which is rare. There's a balcony with another 50 (unreserved) seats and a spot to lean on the side railing which is what we did. It was great to be able to check out a new venue that's hosted so many great (at-the-time) small indie bands.

As I often do, I started to track the songs as they were played. I didn't know the 7th song, so I pulled up setlist.fm to check the title, and noticed that someone there was updating the tracks to the site as they began. Happily, I put my phone away and fully enjoyed the show. :) Final notes: not many phones out, which I liked; Pretty subdued crowd. Maybe a female heavy crowd mainly in 20s-30s, but hardly any jumping about even during the most energetic tracks. I think this was due to the fact this was the second show added due to demand, and slotted in before the show that sold out, so maybe not the most die-hard fans. This show was their tour opener.

Setlist:
Straight Line Was a Lie
No Joy
Silence Is Golden
Future Me Hates Me
Metal
Til My Heart Stops
Mother, Pray for Me
Out of Sight
Head in the Clouds
Uptown Girl
Ark of the Covenant
Mosquitoes
Roundabout
Jump Rope Gazers
Best Laid Plans
Little Death
I'm Not Getting Excited
Expert in a Dying Field
Encore:
Take
Your Side