2026
Index
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The Rockers, Dublin
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RTE Concert Orchestra, Dublin
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Darren Wharton's Renegade, Dublin
Dedication
There have been events celebrating his life annually around this anniversary of Phil Lynott’s death. There had already been an event at a smaller local venue the night before this special event at the 3Arena. 4 January 2026 was 40 years to the day since his tragic passing.
This was a multi artist event, including one of the original Thin Lizzy members and various others, many who had been part of various incarnations of Thin Lizzy, both during the life of Phil, and following his passing.
Grand Slam had been formed by Lynott after he had announced the break-up of Thin Lizzy. Laurence Archer was the remaining only member who had played during the Lynott era.
The Rockers were pulled together to include various artists who had associations with Thin Lizzy both old and new, such as Ricky Warwick and Marco Mendoza. Richard Fortus of Guns 'N Roses had also flown over from the States to appear.
We also had the RTE Concert Orchestra putting its own angle into may Thin Lizzy classics, helped by some of the other vocalists appearing during the evening.
Darren Wharton had played keyboards the last time I had seen Thin Lizzy in 1983. Today he was fronting Darren Wharton’s Renegade, which is essentially a Thin Lizzy tribute act, and a very good one at that. We did have one original member joining them in guitarist Eric Bell.
Grand Slam
3Arena, Dublin
4 January 2026
The Rockers
3Arena, Dublin
4 January 2026
The RTE Concert Orchestra
3Arena, Dublin
4 January 2026
Darren Wharton's Renegade
3Arena, Dublin
4 January 2026
The Tumbling Paddies
The National Opera House, Wexford
30 January 2026
A new music venue for me, but I had been to see a Brian Cox event in what is the closest live music venue (beyond local pubs and the like) to my home. The Tumbling Paddies describe themselves as having trad roots and modern energy. And despite their name that energy does not extend to acrobatics. A very good show from an excellent Irish band.
Hot Press 50
Hot Press is a monthly music and politics magazine established in Dublin in the 1970s. Of course it also now has an online presence.
A multi-artist event had been arranged at the 3Arena to celebrate 50 years of Hot Press. The website summarised the event as "Irish music legends and innovative new stars unite at Dublin’s 3Arena for one extraordinary night of music, poetry, comedy and more". It was certainly an opportunity to see some familiar acts along with some that I had never seen live before. First up was one of those bands, Clannad an Irish traditional/folk group that had formed in County Donegal in 1970.
Clannad
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
We then had a poetry reading from former Irish president Michael D. Higgins, followed by Irish Women of Harmony, "a collective of Irish female artists who have come together to support one another - both creatively and practically - in pursuit of their artistic goals. In the broader community the collective aims to raise public consciousness for women and children living in crisis".
Irish Women of Harmony
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
Gavin James
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
Van Morrison
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
Denise Chalia
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
Picture This
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
Damien Dempsey
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
The Frames
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
Imelda May
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
Dermot Kennedy
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
The Boomtown Rats
3Arena, Dublin
6 February 2026
Queen Orchestral
3Arena, Dublin
4 February 2026
Postponed from November, this would be my first gig following getting my second knee replacement just over 11 weeks ago.
This would be a different take on Queen’s songs with a full orchestra and choir supporting 2 different “Freddies” and a “Brian May”. Having witnessed the full “original” version of the band, the “We Will Rock You” stage show, “Queen Extravaganza” and the modern version of May, Taylor and Adam Lambert, I would put this “performance” the better of the tributes and only behind the Mercury and Lambert versions. I do have another tribute to see later in the year. The only criticism I would have is I think “Brian” could have done with some 6 inch platform shoes…..
The orchestral concept had originated in Dublin a couple of years earlier and had received rave reviews. The original performance at the 3Arena had been a sell-out, although I do not know if they had opened up the top section of seats. Tonight there were plenty of unsold tickets for both standing and seated sections and the top section was curtained off.
Having been initially directed to entrance one, it turned out that was only available to VIP ticket holders and Box Office collection. All others entered through entrance two, which had very long queues when I joined one a few minutes before the 7pm opening time. I was very surprised when I entered about 20 minutes later to discover only a handful of people in the standing section and space right in the middle of the barrier. I knew that the ability to hold onto the barrier would help alleviate any issues with the knee.
Paul Simon
3Arena, Dublin
21May 2026
Straight in at No. 1 in the Zimmerframe Rock section at 84 years and 219 day, how long will Paul Simon be able to hold onto that?
He has problems with his voice emanating from hearing issues, but at that age I think we should be grateful to see him perform at all. And he had many excellent musicians to support his performance. He's one of those artists it was great to see for the first time. Not sure if he'll be back again but who knows how long some of these guys can keep going. And he was on stage for well over 2 hours which is much more than you will get for many who are a fraction of his age.
Night Rain
My first opportunity to test out the new knee with a ticket for standing. It rained as we were waiting for the doors to open, but not enough to turn any of the pieces of metal I now walk around with rusty.
I knew there was an early entry VIP option, so I was unsurprised to discover no spaces at the barrier and I had to make do with a place 2 back from the front.
Alas I found it increasingly uncomfortable and with nothing to lean on I did feel quite unsteady on occasion. My new knee was not too bad, but the foot on the other side did play up possibly because I had been favoring the other leg. As for the Slash gigs 2 years previously, Wolfgang Van Halen and his band Mammoth provided support. Once again I was quite impressed with his performance.
I expected Guns N’ Roses to take the stage at 8pm, with a show lasting over 2 and a half hours. I did not think I would be able to last in my initial position and after just over an hour I felt the need to retreat to the back of the arena for some respite. Thereafter there would be no decent photos, but I am more than happy with the ones I managed to get in that first hour.
I took the opportunity to peruse the merchandise stand but was never going to pay the €55 or more for a t-shirt, or €120 for a hoodie. I know I can get my own made up with some of my own photos printed on them for less than half that amount.
In the end I decided to head off home early. The show was decent enough, but I did not feel positive enough to stick through the whole show given the state of my legs. I’m not sure how well I will be able to a number of outdoor gigs lined up over the summer.
Mammoth
3Arena, Dublin
10 June 2026
Guns N' Roses
3Arena, Dublin
10 June 2026
