His solo material has, for the most part, replaced the theatricality of Bauhaus with a more subtle brooding ambience, absorbing influences from various genres, particularly world music in its various forms. Some of the more puritan members of the "gother-than-thou" brigade might scorn this, but they often seem to forget that if not for the influence of dub and reggae, for example, "Bela Lugosi's Dead" would have sounded very different, and most likely wouldn't be the classic anthem it remains more than 30 years later. Murphy has demonstrated that, unlike many artists in the genre, he's always willing to evolve and stretch himself, which is why he's still around and still relevant. After opening with "Low Room" from his under-rated 1992 album "Holy Smoke", Murphy engaged the crowd in a bit of light-hearted banter, claiming to be a bit underwhelmed by the energy level of the crowd. Personally, I think it was more a case of the audience still being slightly mesmerised by the support act, the Dublin-based Apollonia Tribal Bellydance Troup, who provided a hypnotic spectacle of grace to an eclectic soundtrack.

A stomping cover version of The Stooges' "Raw Power" soon got the crowd going however, and onstage, Murphy has lost none of the commanding presence he was noted for in the Bauhaus days. Like the music, it's a bit older and wiser, and more "mature" perhaps, but no less intense... he still moves, as Bowie once sang in the Ziggy Era, like a "tiger on vaseline". His touring band, who have been together for several years at this point, demonstrated similar energy, guitarists John Andrews and Mark G Thwaite providing a blistering frontline, with Jeff Shartoff on bass and Nick Troy Lucero on drums providing a rock-solid rhythm section. Some of the audience were, predictably enough, composed of the hardcore goth contingent, who were undoubtedly there more for the Bauhaus connection than for Murphy's solo work. This is understandable, given the huge legacy Bauhaus has cast over the genre, but for anybody who missed the Bauhaus reunion tour a few years back, "Hair Of The Dog" and "Silent Hedges" soon brought it all back, sounding as fresh and startling as they did back in the 80s.

A brooding version of "Subway" and "I'll Fall With Your Knife", both from 1995's "Cascade" album, reminded how comfortable he is with his musical legacy, underscored by a version of "A Strange Kind Of Love", from his brilliant 1989 album "Deep", which then morphed into "Bela Lugosi's Dead" seamlessly, a perfect embodiment of his generation-straddling influence. Keeping the Bauhaus fans more than happy, also on the setlist were "Dark Entries" and "Stigmata Martyr", the latter song especially reaching a near-orgasmic peak that visibly sent shudders through the audience.



As well as his own musical heritage, Murphy is never afraid to pay tribute to his own influences and musical interests, as he proved with a spine-tingling and heart-rending version of "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails, which for me at least was a definite highlight of the night. Some people might claim that Johnny Cash made that particular song his own with his cover version..but I think Peter Murphy proved that the jury's still out on that one. Speaking of influences, the aforementioned Bowie is of course one of Peter Murphy's most famous idols, and as one of the closing songs of the gig he performed an odd, slowed-down but still epic, version of "Space Oddity", spending most of the song lying on his back on the stage in near total darkness. A very strange kind of love, but a suitable ending to a great concert.

The main criticism of the show from many people's points of view would perhaps have been that it was a relatively short gig, clocking in at not much over an hour, but between his solo work, Bauhaus tracks, and cover versions, it was never less than entertaining and enjoyable, and from this reviewer's point of view at least, an unforgettable experience. Murphy also proved himself to be more than "just" a living legend, but also one of those rare things at that level of acclaim, a geuninely nice guy. Happily chatting away to fans after the concert, he was relaxed, witty and charming, despite the fact that by the end of the night, the skies had opened up and torrential rain covered Dublin. Peter Murphy obviously didn't care too much however - even after all these years, his creativity and passion are obviously very much intact and as strong as ever, and still "burning from the inside".