How I Became A Wave The Unitarian Church Live Review
By An Amazing Night From an Exceptional Group of Musicians
How I Became A Wave played a full band show last night at the very beautiful and apt Unitarian Church, Dublin all towering arches and hushed, sacred stillness — proved a strikingly perfect backdrop for the night ahead.
The large crowd settled into near-total silence, as if instinctively abiding by some unspoken, chapel-coded rule — no talking above a murmur, just the low hum of a few hushed whispers rippling through the pews as they waited for the first act to break the spell.
Alannah Thornburgh
Harpist and composer Alannah Thornburgh was first to take the stage, met with a swell of applause that hung high in the rafters before she coaxed the harp into life — each note unfolding with a quiet precision, as if the room itself was holding its breath.
‘Sally Gally’, ‘Glór na Sí’, ‘Tabhair dom do Lámh’ and ‘Chasing The Hare’ stood out across the set, each one underlining just how deft Alannah Thornburgh’s touch really is. Her playing feels genuinely transportive, and in a church setting like this, it only deepened the rich, resonant swell pouring from the stage — a quietly stunning opener.
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Polina Cosgrove
Next up, poet Polina Cosgrove took to the stage, enthralling the room with verses drifting through love, loss and resilience. It marked a subtle gear shift, but one the audience clearly relished — a deft, inventive bridge into the night’s main act.
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How I Became A Wave
Having recently released their debut album, How I Became A Wave have been on something of a run of shows — steadily building momentum and sharpening their live identity along the way. Still, this marked my first time catching the full band in action, and there was a real sense of anticipation about how those studio textures would translate live.
When people say, “the book was better than the movie”, that’s not the case here — if anything, How I Became A Wave push their songs somewhere entirely different live. Tracks lifted from their debut album are expanded and elevated on stage, gaining new weight and atmosphere. Pat Carey’s rich, warm vocals guide the set like a slow unwind, drawing the audience into a space that feels almost therapeutic — without the appointment, the cost, or the lying down.
“Zero Sum”, “Cycles”, “Sea Swell” and “The Stray” were all clear favourites from the album, but hearing “Fading Out” live was something else entirely. With Pat Carey’s vocals echoing around the vast Unitarian Church, it felt genuinely special.
Overall
How I Became A Wave are one of those bands where seeing them live somehow deepens your appreciation for their songs even further. An amazing night from an exceptional group of musicians.
How I Became A Wave Are
Pat Carey, Julia-Maria, Maria Ryan. Kealan Kenny, Davie Ryan and Dylan Ó’hEochaidh