Photos/Review: The Cranberries @ Terminal 5

The Cranberries @ Terminal 5 - May 2, 2012
Photos: Trista Hou (Binshu Hou) / Review: Jennifer Harmon

It was indeed a nostalgic journey back to the nineties as The Cranberries lit up the stage Wednesday night inside Terminal 5. The 3,000-capacity venue was packed wall to wall with concertgoers, many in the age bracket of 30 and up, who enjoyed a libation or two before the show and then hopped in a yellow cab to the venue. Cozy couples and clusters of friends approached the entrance and raced inside to catch the band.

It was 9 PM sharp when the lovely Delores O’Riordan appeared beside her bandmates, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler. The alternative rock band from Limerick, Ireland, made the right choice by kicking off the party with a true fan favorite, “Dreams,” from Everybody Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?

“It feels good to be back in New York. Thank you for coming to see us,” exclaimed the always-gracious frontwoman, decked out in a long, black coatdress that she wore over pants. The comfortable ensemble matched her raven-colored locks, which she had styled in a long version of her familiar shag haircut.

It was early into the band’s set when they played some of their most popular tunes, including “Linger, “Ridiculous Thoughts,” and “Free to Decide.”

“You know I’m such a fool for you,” Delores sang during “Linger” in unison with the crowd. “You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha. Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to, Do you have to let it linger?”

A colorful background of psychedelic light effects illuminated the band. Shimmery shades of red swirled together with gold changed to deep blue followed by a bright, glorious green.

During songs like “Free to Decide,” from album, The Faithful Departed, Delores stretched out her arms above her head and did some “Vogue-type” dance moves as she emphasized specific words.

“So to hell with what you’re thinking. And to hell with your narrow mind. You’re so distracted from the real thing, you should leave your life behind, behind,” she cried out, strutting across the stage.

This was certainly one of the most laid back shows to occur at Terminal 5, which is known for being one of NYC’s rowdier venues. Whether they were positioned in the sea of faces on the first floor, or peering down from jam-packed second floor area, everyone seemed blissfully content to be there.

It’s great to know that while they did take a hiatus from 2003 until reuniting in 2009, The Cranberries are back on the road with sold out shows in honor of their latest album Roses, which was released in February. At Terminal 5, the New York City audience loved the poetic tune, “Raining In My Heart,” from the new album.

The intensity of O’Riordan’s voice, full of tonal twists and turns, is deeply moving to hear live. Her deep Irish accent really does “carry her words like a melody.” The audience savored every word during, the moving renditions of “Disapointment,” and “Daffodills Lament.” The band could not leave the stage without playing the powerful tune, “Zombie,” which was inspired about an IRA bombing in Warrington, Cheshire in 1993.

When the group returned for the encore, Delores had on a beige bohemian-type frock. The gauzy dress was adorned with black embroidery and looked awesome against her porcelain skin and dark hair. They quickly performed two new songs, followed by the rockin’ anti-drug tune, “Salvation,” the lead single from The Faithful Departed, known for having a darker and rawer sound. A perfect song to end the show.
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The Cranberries play Terminal 5 again tonight. Below, check out a full set of photos from Wednesday night's show, the setlist, and the remainder of the band's tour...

The Cranberries - Terminal 5 - 5/2/12
Dreams
Linger
Tomorrow
How
Animal Instinct
Just My Imagination
Ode to My Family
Put Me Down
Analyse
Desperate Andy
Daffodil Lament
When You're Gone
I Can't Be With You
Waltzing Back
Raining In My Heart
Free to Decide
Schizophrenic Playboy
Ridiculous Thoughts
Zombie
Encore:
Conduct
Losing My Mind
Salvation

The Cranberries 2012 Tour Dates
May 04 New York NY, USA Terminal 5
May 05 Philadelphia PA, USA Electric Factory
May 08 Montreal QB, Canada Metropolis
May 09 Toronto ON, Canada Sound Academy
May 11 Boston MA, USA House of Blues
May 12 Mashantucket CT, USA Foxwoods
May 14 Washington DC, USA 9:30 Club
May 16 Chicago IL, USA Riviera
May 17 Minneapolis MN, USA The Brick
Jun 18 London, England Hammersmith Apollo
Jun 20 Paris, France Le Grand Rex
Jun 22 Ruoms, France Aluna Festival
Jun 24 Bratislava, Slovakia Ondrej Nepela Arena
Jun 25 Berlin, Germany Zitadelle
Jun 26 Warsaw, Poland Torwar
Jun 29 Zagreb, Croatia INmusic Music Festival
Jun 30 Piazzola sul Brenta (Padova), Italy Anfiteatro Camerini
Jul 02 Rome, Italy Cavea Auditorium
Jul 04 Milan, Italy Arena Civica
Jul 06 Toulouse, France Le Zenith
Jul 07 Cognac, France Cognac Blues Festival
Jul 09 Barcelona, Spain Poble Espanyol
Jul 10 Madrid, Spain Palacio Vistalegre
Jul 14 Beirut, Lebanon The Palace of Beiteddine
Nov 02 Luxembourg Rockhal
Nov 04 Antwerp, Belgium Lotto Arena
Nov 05 Amsterdam, Holland HMH
Nov 07 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion
Nov 10 Caen, France Zenith
Nov 11 Orleans, France Zenith 
Nov 13 Montbeliard, France Zenith
Nov 14 Strasbourg, France Zenith
Nov 16 Toulon, France Zenith
Nov 17 Grenoble, France Summum
Nov 19 Clermont Ferrand, France Zenith
Nov 20 Lyon, France Le Halle Tony Garnier
Nov 22 Brest, France Zenith
Nov 24 Nantes, France Zenith
Nov 25 Paris, France Zenith
Nov 27 Lille, France Zenith
Nov 29 Vienna, Austria Gasometer