Live Review: Morgana - Moth Club, London 14/10/2025
London’s glittering gold Moth Club sparkled ever brighter on Tuesday night, with Belfast’s Morgana putting on a spellbinding show.
Adding to the never-ending list of incredible musicians to come out of Ireland is alt-pop sensation Morgana. Formerly part of the folk duo Saint Sister, Morgana, a.k.a. Morgan MacIntyre, has now branched out on her own, making a seamless transition from folk and indie into the 80s synth-pop world. Captivating the crowd from the get-go, Morgana put on an unforgettable show in London’s Moth Club on Tuesday, with aid from a glowing orb and a disco ball helmet, securing her spot as one of Ireland’s rising stars.
Irish artist Last Apollo (a.k.a. Lucy Rice) opened up the night, and accompanied by her piano, her stunning vocals floated around the venue, filling it with warmth as the crowds trickled in from the cold. Last Apollo played a hauntingly beautiful set, made up primarily of sad songs, the emotion bleeding through her powerful vocals, the keys of the piano, the crowd silent and soaking it all in. Lucy finished her set with a “happier” song, lifting the mood, the energy in the now packed out Moth Club, leaving the crowd suitably warmed up and excited for the main show, Morgana.
Morgana’s show was one of a kind, with the Irish artist providing an almost theatrical performance alongside her musical one. Walking toward the stage from the back of the venue, parting the crowd like the red sea, while she herself was illuminated by a red light, Morgana immediately set the tone and the scene for what lay ahead for the rest of the evening. A chorus of cheers filtered through the crowd as the opening thrum of I’ll Cry When I’m Dead started, the first song the singer released under her new solo project. A song that is heavy with elements of 80s pop, it’s a bit of a slow burner, the subtle beat of the drum, the keys, before it all comes together for the chorus, loud, fun, the crowd swaying, dancing, while Morgana looks every bit the popstar on stage, illuminated by Moth Club’s gold backdrop. Unsurprisingly, the crowd was made up of mostly Irish people, all who probably felt a little stab in the heart, a dull ache in the chest when Morgana and her band performed another song, Crying In Public, a song about being priced out of Dublin (and Ireland in general), many of us having moved away from home for that very reason.
There is something captivating about Morgana and the way she performs, the crowd's attention fully focused on her for the entire set, aware they are witnessing something special, a rare talent. An artist who isn’t afraid to interact with the crowd between songs, sharing her “lady petrol” (wine) with those standing closer to the front before asking two important questions, “are you prepared to party and are you ready to cry?” before performing Power Cuts, one of the songs released off her debut EP Party Killer. It’s a track that is laced with an addictive 80s dance beat, while Morgana shows off her impressive vocal skills, and while the lyrics of the song are sad, the atmosphere in the venue is the total opposite of that, as the crowd dance and sing along with smiles on their faces.
Morgana, alongside her band, has a clear talent for making what should be a sad song, based on the lyrics, the subject matter, and turning them into incredible, fun, synth-pop bangers. Nothing Kills A Party Like A Song and Party Killer being prime examples, but Morgana’s performances of both are anything but sorrowful. Instead, they are powerful, warm, and addictive. Party Killer is a mix of trance and pop, and simply impossible not to dance to. While Morgana clearly needs no help putting on a good gig, with a disco ball helmet and a glowing red orb, she elevates her show even further. Moth Club’s famous and well-loved glitter ceiling finally meeting its match with the disco ball helmet.
Before the end of the show, Morgana pulls at the crowd’s heartstrings once again with an incredible performance of Julia Jacklin’s Comfort. The venue is silent for the duration, Morgana’s pure talent taking everyone’s breath away. Bringing the party back for one more song, the Belfast Star closed out the show with her latest single I’m Not Going Anywhere, a song she’s previously said is dedicated to Ireland and how she is clinging onto it, despite the cost of living crisis, the constant rising rents. It’s a bittersweet song to listen to, to sing along to, as an Irish person no longer living at home, but as the crowd dances to the disco beat, Morgana’s powerful vocals filling up the space and glowing beach balls floating over people’s heads, there is something incredibly healing about it all.
As the lights come back on and reality starts to sink back in for many, it’s safe to say that Morgana’s performance will sit in the forefront of people’s minds for a long time to come. Moth Club always feels like a magical spot, a venue where one is prone to witnessing something special. Tuesday night was no different. Morgana’s London show WAS special; it felt like pure magic. An artist that should be on everyone’s watch list because she is only going to keep getting bigger and better (if that’s even possible). Everyone needs to witness the rare talent that is Morgana.
Words by Angela English
