Messed!Up
Few bands arrive with such a gleefully unhinged sense of purpose as Dublin’s Really Good Time. Blending post-punk urgency, garage rock swagger, dance-punk grooves and absurdist humour, the Irish outfit have rapidly become one of the country’s most exciting live acts. Their music thrives on contradiction, equal parts chaotic and tightly controlled, humorous yet razor-sharp, drawing comparisons to everything from Pixies and LCD Soundsystem to Queens of the Stone Age, Viagra Boys and even the bombastic era of U2.
Formed in Dublin in 2021, Really Good Time brought together vocalist Diolmhain Ingram Roche, bassist Jack Hitchcock, guitarist Alex Conway, and drummer Adrian Garvey, with members previously performing in Beach/Fat Pablo and Roche’s electronic project Wastefellow. From the beginning, the band’s self-deprecating description of themselves as “Dublin’s hottest post-crunk après-garde supergroup” perfectly captured their tongue-in-cheek approach, but behind the jokes lay a group of exceptional musicians with an unmistakable creative identity.
Early singles such as Best Medicine and Afternoon Tea showcased a sound bursting with angular guitars, pounding rhythms and infectious hooks. Their songs balance biting social commentary with surreal humour, tackling themes such as internet culture, toxic masculinity and modern anxieties through bizarre lyrics, over-the-top visuals and an irreverent attitude that never undermines the seriousness beneath the surface.
If their recordings earned attention, their explosive live performances cemented their reputation. Whether playing DIY shows on sheep farms and in squats or commanding festival stages in front of thousands, Really Good Time have built a reputation for relentless energy and fearless audience interaction. Every performance feels unpredictable, with the band feeding off one another’s antics while maintaining a razor-tight musical precision. Their philosophy is simple: no matter the size of the crowd, everyone deserves a really good time.
Their debut EP, Escape From the Mountain of Spit, marked a significant breakthrough, earning support from BBC Radio 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq and introducing the band to a wider audience through major festival appearances and high-profile support slots. As their sound continued to evolve, the group embraced an even heavier blend of desert rock, post-punk and sleaze while retaining the danceable pulse that makes them so distinctive. Following lineup changes in 2026, the band continued as a power trio, proving that their fearless creativity and explosive live reputation remain stronger than ever.
In November, they swing by Germany for two dates.
GIG DATES
- 14 November at Monarch, Berlin
- 15 November at MTC, Cologne
