Latest news with #AikenPromotions


Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Thousands to attend Paddy Power Comedy Festival as legendary comics announced
Tens of thousands of fans are set to descend on Dublin's Iveagh Gardens for a weekend of laughter at the Paddy Power Comedy Festival. The four-day festival returns to the Dublin venue from today, Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, July 27, 2025. Over 90 artists are set to perform at the festival across four stages, including Tommy Tiernan, Deirdre O'Kane, Jarlath Regan , Neil Delamare and Gearóid Farrelly. Festival Director, Bren Berry, Aiken Promotions said: 'Next year will be our 20th anniversary in stunning Iveagh Gardens and we are delighted to be back this summer for another Paddy Power Comedy Festival. Irish comedy has had another stellar run since last summer and we are proud of the work we do, in particular, with Irish comedians at the festival and throughout the year.' Paddy Power Brand Manager, Dean Finn said: 'We are super excited to once again celebrate the brilliance of Irish comedy and this year's festival looks to be top notch, with homegrown talent out in force alongside some incredible international acts. 'We have been title sponsor of the festival since 2022, and each year gets bigger and better, and we are delighted to once again be a part of showcasing talent of razor-sharp wit and tongue in cheek attitude. 'It's comedy that doesn't hold its punches. Music to our ears,' he added. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.


Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Alex Warren at Iveagh Gardens, Dublin: Stage times, set list, ticket information, support acts and more
Alex Warren is having a very busy year. His single Ordinary went to number one and he had two more songs in the UK top 40 earlier this year. Ordinary and Bloodline are still there. He is also a founding member of the Hype House – a collaborative TikTok group from 2019 to 2022. 'From being homeless and sleeping in friends' cars to his current rise to stardom as a multitalented musician, Warren has shared the intimate details of his life with the world for more than a decade, building an online community of 26 million followers,' Aiken Promotions says. The US singer-songwriter will take to the stage in Dublin's Iveagh Gardens as part of his world tour. When and where is it? Alex Warren plays Dublin's Iveagh Gardens on Thursday, July 17th. What time should I arrive? Doors for the gig open at 6.30pm, with the music expected to begin at 8pm. Iveagh Gardens concerts tend to finish by 10.30pm. Traffic and entry delays are inevitable, so make sure you give yourself a couple of hours' leeway getting to and from the venue. READ MORE Who is playing? US singer Medium Build has been confirmed as the support act for the gig. What songs will Alex Warren play? This was a set list performed by Warren in US Cellular Connection Stage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 4th: Burning Down Troubled Waters Before You Leave Me Catch My Breath You'll Be Alright Kid Yard Sale Never Be Far Save You a Seat Chasing Shadows Bloodline You Can't Stop This Headlights Carry You Home Ordinary. How do I get to and from the gig? The Iveagh Gardens are near St Stephen's Green in the heart of Dublin city. As a result, you are advised to use one of many public transport options to get to the venue. Travel by bus: A wide variety of Dublin Bus routes service the city centre. The 37 route, for example, runs along the northside of the quays and will drop you an eight-minute walk from the Iveagh Gardens. You can plan your journey with Transport for Ireland here . Travel by Luas: The St Stephen's Green Luas stop is a seven-minute walk from the venue. If you are heading southbound, take any green line Luas towards Sandyford or Brides Glen. If you are heading northbound, take any green line Luas towards Broombridge or Parnell. Travel by train: If you are arriving in Dublin by train, you can hop on the red line Luas from Heuston Station to Abbey Street. There, transfer to the green line Luas from the stop on Marlborough Street, hopping out at St Stephen's Green and walking seven minutes to the Iveagh Gardens. Travel by car: The closest car park to the Iveagh Gardens is St Stephen's Green's Q-Park. You can pre-book a parking space here , although it is recommended you use public transport as traffic delays before and after the gig are inevitable. Are there any tickets left? At the time of writing, the gig is sold out, but resale tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster here . Remember to download your tickets to your phone as there may be internet or connectivity issues at the venue on the day. Do not rely on screenshots, as Ticketmaster often uses live or dynamic barcodes that update regularly. What is security like? This event is for over-18s. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Make sure to bring an official form of identification with you: a passport, Garda age card or driving licence will suffice. Bags size A4 or above will not be permitted entry. All bags will be subject to a search on arrival. Avoid bringing prohibited items including glass, cans, alcohol, garden furniture, umbrellas, flares, illegal substances or any item that could be used as a weapon. Recording and taking pictures using a camera phone is no problem, but professional recording equipment will not be allowed inside the venue. What does the weather forecast look like? Thursday is forecast to be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain breaking up into showers and sunny spells during the afternoon and evening. Some showers will be heavy with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees with south to southwest winds. So make sure to dress appropriately and bring a rain jacket.


Irish Examiner
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'Without Rory Gallagher, I wouldn't be here': Marquee promoter pays tribute to Cork guitarist
Live at the Marquee promoter Peter Aiken admits he was extremely nervous the night before the tickets went on sale for the Joe Bonamassa tribute to Rory Gallagher. A gig he had been trying to put together for years, the Belfast-born impresario had signed up the American guitarist for two concerts, and had also got the approval of the Gallagher family. 'I was tossing and turning the night before as the tickets were going on sale at 9am. But by 9.30am we had sold 8,000 tickets and I knew we were going to be alright,' said a relieved Aiken at the Marina-side venue on Wednesday as he launched the 2025 series of concerts. Bonamassa, currently in Cork rehearsing with his band, will play a set of Gallagher's tunes at the Marquee over three nights on July 1-3, with some tickets only remaining for the third concert. Joe Bonamassa is playing three nights at the Marquee in tribute to the late Rory Gallagher. Picture: Mark Stedman The promoter also revealed how the tribute to the beloved Cork guitarist who died in 1995 - 30 years ago this month - is more than just another gig for him. 'Without Rory Gallagher, I wouldn't be here today,' he explained, as he recalled how Gallagher had worked with his father Peter Aiken to put on gigs in strife-torn Belfast in the 1970s. Once the Cork man played in the city, it became easier to persuade other acts to come to the North during the Troubles, and Aiken Promotions were able to build their business. He also revealed the geographical spread of some of the ticket sales for the Gallagher tribute, and while punters from Cork and Dublin will make up the bulk of the audiences, there are hundreds of fans travelling from the UK for the gigs, with dozens more from such countries as the USA, Netherlands, and even Kazakhstan. This year's 28 shows at the venue mark 20 years since the series began in 2005 when the recently-deceased Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys took to the stage in Cork. Organisers have faced some online criticism this year for the lack of female artists on the bill, but Aiken defended the roster. 'We were close with a number of female acts but it just didn't happen in the end this year with the headliners. We do have quite a few female support acts,' he said, also pointing to the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Lady Gaga and Lana Del Rey who have previously played at the Marquee. UK comedian Michael McIntyre is performing three nights at the Marquee. The huge tented venue has been erected in the same former Tedcastles yard as last year, with work already underway on a huge housing scheme across the road at the site where the Marquee stood for the opening years of the annual series. One of the new additions this year has been the laying of a tarmacadam floor in the standing area of the venue. Kicking off on Wednesday night with the first of two performances by Irish band Picture This, other big draws in the weeks ahead include Roy Keane, Cian Ducrot, D-Block Europe, and Michael McIntyre.


Irish Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'If there was a roof on the Phoenix Park, Zach Bryan would've blown it off'
If there was a roof on the Phoenix Park, Zach Bryan would've blown it off. The country singer performed to more than 60,000 on the first of his three nights in the Dublin park on Friday night. It's the first time that Phoenix Park has hosted such a large-scale event since Ed Sheeran in 2018. The Grammy-Award winning star was greeted by a rapturous applause from tens of thousands of sweating fans as the sunshine came beating down on the gig. Zach entertained fans with hits including Something In The Orange, Pink Skies and Heading South. A day before the gig, Zach was spotted arm wrestling a local in The Celt in Dublin's inner city centre. He posted the video on his Instagram showing off the arm wrestling match, which saw him win over the pub goer. Speaking earlier in the week, Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions said the Oklahoma star is 'the real deal', comparing Zach, 29, to Bruce Springsteen. He said: 'He's the real deal. He's not country per se but he's very Springsteen. He's a great storyteller and a very dynamic performer – he has a lot of charisma. 'When you have 180,000 people here, they're going to know the words to every song; it's going to be a very unique, special atmosphere. 'His songs are about heartbreak and loss and all the things that people don't like talking about anymore,' he said. 'Maybe [those] in Dublin aren't aware of him, but people outside Dublin are very well aware of him.' Mr Aiken revealed the demographic of fans who love Zach, saying most of his fans will be aged between 18-35 but only 10% of his tickets were bought in Dublin, according to Aiken Promotions. 'Normally for a big concert, say for Springsteen in Croke Park, 50% of our audience were from the greater Dublin area. For this, it's about 10%,' Mr Aiken said. 'There's a big crowd coming from the North and Donegal, Mayo. There's a big crowd flying in from the States. These big events, more and more, attract overseas visitors. People will like the adventure of coming to a different place.' Zach plays to a sell out 180,000 over three nights this weekend until Sunday night. Gardai are advising fans to be mindful of neighbours and the wildlife this weekend. Margaret Gormley, from the Office of Public Works, said: 'Yeah, obviously we don't recommend anyone to feed the deer, and we ask people to stay a minimum of 50 meters away from the deer. They are wild animals. 'We want everyone to enjoy their event, and we do ask everyone to use public transport and to keep to the surface paths within the Phoenix Park. 'The park is over 1700 acres, so we don't want anyone to get lost. We want them to come and have a very enjoyable event. And you know, it is over 180,000 people, so we just ask for everyone to have a great time at the concert, but also to leave no trace and to respect all our neighbours surrounding the Phoenix Park.' Organisers are encouraging revellers to use public transport this weekend. They warned that given that most attendees will be using the Park Gate entrance, they should leave at least 45 minutes to walk to the concert site. Marathon Group is running special concert specific routes from Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin and orbital routes to the Phoenix Park. They will be dropping off in the Phoenix Park and pick up will be in the same place. For those heading to the concerts tonight and Sunday, they are reminded that there is no parking available on the streets surrounding the venue or inside the Phoenix Park.


Dublin Live
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Zach Bryan Phoenix Park tickets, banned items, stage times, transport, weather, and everything you need to know
The Phoenix Park is set to welcome country chart-topper Zach Bryan for a series of three gigs this weekend. Over 180,000 fans expected to flock to the park for his sold-out shows. The Oklahoma native, known for his raw, poetic songwriting and electrifying live shows, rose from posting homemade tracks on YouTube to topping the charts with hits like I Remember Everything, Pink Skies and Something in the Orange. His Phoenix Park shows - on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 of June - mark his biggest performances in Ireland yet and a major jump from playing to smaller crowds at The Helix just three years ago. The last time he performed in the capital, it was to a modest crowd of 1,500 at the DCU venue back in April 2023. Aiken Promotions, who are managing the concert, have confirmed that a robust security barrier is currently being installed around the Phoenix Park stage, as it prepares for its first large-scale concert since Ed Sheeran's performance in 2018. Here's all you need to know if you're one of the hundreds of thousands heading to the shows this weekend. When and where is it happening? Zach Bryan will be performing three gigs at Phoenix Park in Dublin on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 20-22. Are there any tickets remaining? The concerts on Friday and Saturday are completely sold out, but at the time of writing, there are a limited number of tickets available for Sunday on There are also a limited number of resale tickets available. Those attending the concert with children are encouraged to buy tickets for the designated alcohol-free family area. Each individual wishing to enter the area will require a ticket. What are the gate and stage times, and who are the supporting acts? The event is set to kick off at 6pm, with gates opening at 5pm, and wrapping up around 10.30pm. The main entrance from Phoenix Park is a 45-minute walk, so attendees should brace themselves for a lengthy stroll. Those holding early access tickets can gain entry from 4.30pm, and the concert grounds will remain open for entry until 9pm. Two support acts, including Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann, will warm up the crowd for the country singer, with gates opening at 5pm. Early queuing will not be allowed. What transport options are there? With an anticipated 180,000 fans descending on Phoenix Park over the weekend for the concerts, significant traffic disruption is expected in the surrounding areas. Concert-goers are strongly encouraged to utilise public transport where possible, as parking will be severely limited and local access restrictions will be enforced around the park. The majority of attendees are predicted to use the Park Gate entrance, meaning roads around Parkgate Street, Conyngham Road and the North Circular Road are likely to be particularly congested, especially before and after the concerts. Gardaí have implemented a comprehensive traffic and policing plan to manage the crowds and ensure safety, but drivers should anticipate delays and consider alternative routes if travelling near Phoenix Park on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening. Concertgoers are advised to allow ample time for their journey. It's suggested to factor in at least 45 minutes to walk from public transport stops to the concert site itself. Luas: Broombridge Luas Station is approximately a 30-minute walk from Phoenix Park, while the Luas stop at Heuston Station is about 40 minutes from the park's centre, or roughly 9 minutes from the park gates at Chesterfield Avenue. Train: If you're taking the train, Heuston Station is your best option. From there, you can catch a bus from Parkgate Street, or walk-it's about 45 minutes on foot to the concert site, and around 9 minutes to the park gates. Bus: Dublin Bus services such as the 26, 38b, 39, 70, 99, C5 and C6 all serve Phoenix Park. Private coach and minibus services are also operating from various locations nationwide, and these will park inside the park. Bus Éireann is providing special services from Cork, Limerick and Galway. The Marathon Group will be running dedicated concert buses from Earlsfort Terrace and other routes that will drop you inside the park. Car: There's no parking near the venue or inside Phoenix Park itself. Gardaí will have a traffic management plan in place, and Dublin City Council will clamp or tow cars that are parked illegally. If driving is your only option, try to carpool and use park and ride facilities (such as Red Cow, M3 Parkway, Navan N51, Cheeverstown, Carrickmines or Stillorgan). If you park in a city centre car park, double-check the closing time. Drop-off/Pick-up: Drop-offs can be made at the Dublin Zoo car park, where stewards will be on hand. For pick-up, it's the same spot, but whoever's collecting you needs to be inside the park by 9.30pm. What will the weather be like? Dublin's weather this weekend will bring plenty of dry spells with sunshine, though showers are possible at times. Friday will be very warm with highest temperatures of 19 to 26 degrees in light to moderate southeasterly or variable breezes with some showers appearing in parts of Dublin. Saturday will be warm, with temperatures reaching 19 to 23 degrees, and will see a mix of cloud and sunny spells along with scattered showers-some of which could be heavy or thundery, especially coming up from the south. On Sunday, it will feel a bit fresher, with highs of 16 to 21 degrees, and similar conditions of sunshine, cloud, and a few showers in a moderate westerly breeze. What songs will Zach Bryan perform? Zach Bryan has only performed a handful of concerts so far this year, so the setlist for his Phoenix Park shows is still under wraps. However, his recent headline slot at Stagecoach Festival 2025 in April gives fans a good idea of what to expect. That set featured a mix of emotional ballads, fan favourites and big singalong moments - although setlists often vary from show to show. Here's what he played at Stagecoach 2025: Overtime Open the Gate God Speed Blue Jean Baby (First time played live) Whiskey Fever 28 Fifth of May Oklahoma Smokeshow Dawns Motorcycle Drive By Tourniquet Lawyers, Guns and Money (Warren Zevon cover - Introduced as his favorite song of all time) East Side of Sorrow '68 Fastback Oklahoma City Purple Gas (Noeline Hofmann cover - with Noeline Hofmann) If She Wants a Cowboy American Nights Pink Skies Something in the Orange The Good I'll Do Heading South Snow (Dedicated to Read Connolly's dog who is sick) I Remember Everything (with Willow Avalon) Nine Ball Hey Driver Heavy Eyes Burn, Burn, Burn Quittin' Time (Extended horns/strings intro – The Godfather theme) Encore: 30. Revival What is security like and what items are banned? For the gig, it's best to travel light and only bring the bare necessities. You're allowed a small bag (A4 size or smaller), your mobile with your pre-downloaded ticket, ID, sun cream, weather-appropriate attire (a raincoat or rain mac is suggested as brollies are not allowed), an empty 750ml plastic reusable water bottle (no metal bottles), and comfy shoes, as the trek from the entrance to the venue will take at least 45 minutes and the event is fully standing. Don't bring bags larger than A4, grub, beverages, booze, brollies, any type of chair, prams, scooters, skateboards, laptops, cooler boxes, hampers, or professional cameras (small 35mm cameras are fine). Selfie sticks, flag poles, large banners, or any item that could block views or jeopardise safety are also prohibited. The concerts at Phoenix Park in Dublin are completely cashless events. Gig-goers are advised to bring a card or digital payment method for any purchases, as cash won't be accepted. This includes transactions for merchandise, food, and drinks. 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