Sunday in Camden, The Electric Ballroom is soon packed to the rafters for The Virginmarys. This is testimony to how impactful this impressive duo are. The Virginmarys are playing tonight alongside Ugly Kid Joe on their Rad Wings Of Destiny UK Tour.Â
The Virginmarys
The Electric Ballroom, Camden – 24 March 2024
Photography: Eric Duvet
Words: Sara Harding
One of the most honest, innovative and energetic bands on the live rock music scene, The Virginmarys are a two-piece that makes more noise than many of the five-member bands I have seen. 
They are the real deal – authentic, talented and musically brilliant. Nobody writes songs like Ally or hits the drums like Danny. Each tune is worthy of being called an anthem.
The Virginmarys are Macclesfield duo Ally Dickaty on guitar/vox and Danny Dolan on drums. Whether they are headlining or not, the VMs will rock you. These guys sure know how to create and perform bold, relevant, hardcore rock songs. 
Tonight’s setlist kicks off with one of their later drops, The Meds, and instantly, we are surging to the front and frantically singing along. This slice of music perfection is manic, genius and catchy, and as we get our mosh on, my photographer, Eric Duvet, is getting in on the action from the camera pit. 
Once again, taped up like Anthony Joshua and about to do battle, Dolan is a heavy hitter, often breaking his drumsticks. He is upfront and in your face. Often standing over his drums, smashing his cymbals and heavy pounding, Dolan leaves the audience of new and old-school fans in awe.
The second song to power-punch us is the truly classic Portrait Of Red. 
With a band like this who truly captures you in the moment, we reviewers often forget the job we have in hand, and that is to review the set, as the band hauls me out of reality and into sheer enjoyment of their music.
Tripping New York City follows, and we are once again reminded of the sheer electricity this duo deliver. 
Frontman Ally Dickaty means business with his uniquely Macclesfield twang and no-nonsense lyrics, getting us going with Lies. The set list is a bit of a change-up since the Massive Wagons tour and Northwest Coast and Devil Keeps Coming are greatly received.
Up next is another double doozy of showstoppers, I’m talking about the classics You’re A Killer and Just A Ride. The truly brilliantly crafted Look Out For My Brother is as mesmerising as ever. Where Are You Now follows on this short yet stunning setlist. 
With a great response from a reeling audience, it’s time for their outro, the absolutely banging (sorry, I couldn’t resist) Bang, Bang, Bang. As hard as Danny hits the drums, The Virginmarys smashed it.
What a fantastic warm-up for Ugly Kid Joe. We can’t wait for another headlining tour from this dynamic duo.
