It's 10.30 on a Sunday evening and the joint is jumping to the strangled strains of a karaoke singer. You might be picturing an auld one belting out a whisky-and-red-lemonade-fuelled rendition of Delilah by Tom Jones. But you couldn't be more wrong. At Songs of Praise, every Sunday night at The Village, the crowd is hip, the performers are young, and the song list is refreshingly rock 'n' roll. Whereas most karaoke nights offer song titles culled from the cheesier reaches of the pop charts, at Songs of Praise you can sing along to the Sex Pistols, Blondie or AC/DC, and other alternative classics. Because an entire evening with a sound track of karaoke can be a little intense, performances are spread throughout the night and separated by DJ sets.

If you have avoided the mob rule that is Saturday night and as a result feel like you didn't have a proper weekend at all, Songs of Praise may be your salvation.

Eoin Lyons.




The Village, 26 Wexford Street (9pm till late, admission free).