Latest news with #IveaghGardens
Irish Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Murder Capital at Iveagh Gardens: A killer set subjects leafy Dublin to a satisfying salvo of mosh pit mania
Murder Capital Iveagh Gardens, Dublin ★★★★☆ Shortly before leading the 'death to the IDF ' chants that generated international headlines , punk duo Bob Vylan used their polemical Glastonbury set to praise artists who had made sacrifices to speak out in support of Palestine . They name-checked the perpetually controversial Kneecap - but also Cork / Dublin band The Murder Capital , whose summer tour of Germany was hit by cancellations after a number of venues vetoed the display of the Palestinian flag on stage. No such issues beset their show at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens . The flag that caused such trouble in Germany is arranged just over the shoulder of singer James McGovern, who leads a chant of 'Free, free Palestine'. But if the political aspect of the gig goes off without a hitch, The Murder Capital initially struggle against the hazy, lazy Saturday evening vibes of the city centre venue. Nestled in the heart of Georgian Dublin, the Iveagh Gardens make for a beautiful backdrop. However, the pint-and-chat ambience is an unsatisfying fit for a group whose music pulsates with menace and fury. Daylight is not their friend, and McGovern is initially frustrated by the easygoing audience. 'I'm seeing a mosh pit here. I'm not seeing one here. Let's see some f**king energy baby,' he says, as the five-piece kick off with The Fall. READ MORE Early in their career, The Murder Capital were spoken of in the same breath as the all-conquering Fontaines DC . They were regarded as kindred spirits, having emerged at about the same time from the bubbling Dublin post-punk scene. But they're very different artists, as made clear by their excellent third album, Blindness. Tellingly, they released that record shortly after touring Europe with alternative rock's original prince of darkness, Nick Cave . Just like Cave, their songs have a literary quality (McGovern has previous credits as a poet) and aren't about fine-tuned melodies – the Fontaines' secret weapon – so much as a piledriving hurtle towards catharsis. At its best, this approach has an exhilarating punch. But a balmy evening in a Dublin park is not conducive to dredging your soul. For that reason, the concert only truly comes together as gloom and drizzle arrive and then finally hits its groove when the sun sets and they negotiate That Feeling – one of several songs on the new LP about the pain of separation from a loved one. McGovern is the focus point, his onstage persona a sort of Amnesty International Liam Gallagher . He rattles a tambourine, strides around in his tracksuit pants and encourages the audience to crowd surf. But he also talks about Palestine and speaks out against the far right in Ireland, observing that the Tricolours he sees in the crowd belong to progressive Ireland more than to racist yobs. The subject of Ireland's spiral into anti-immigration idiocy is addressed directly on the hurricane-force Love of Country. Here needling guitars are matched by flensing lyrics: 'Could you blame me for mistakin' your love of country for hate of men?'. Darkness has descended in earnest as they conclude with their catchiest tune, Words Lost Meaning, the lyrics informed by McGovern's belief that you can only tell someone you love them so many times before it becomes a meaningless cliché. Bathed in stark lighting and framed by the cool summer night, it is a foreceful ending to a performance that takes time to achieve lift-off. But when things finally click into gear, The Murder Capital serve up a killer set that subjects leafy Dublin to a satisfying salvo of mosh pit mania.
Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Murder Capital at Iveagh Gardens in Dublin: Stage times, ticket information, support acts and more
Irish post-punk group The Murder Capital are set to perform at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens this week. The band have been busy gigging since the release last year of their third studio album, Blindness, to critical acclaim. Produced by John Congleton, The Murder Capital wrote the energetic and experimental album over 10 days in Dublin and recorded it in a swift three-week blast in Los Angeles. If you are heading to the gig in the Iveagh Gardens, here's everything you need to know. When and where is it? The Murder Capital will play Dublin's Iveagh Gardens on Saturday, July 19th. READ MORE 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 be finished up 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. Who is playing? The band's support acts are English punk-rock duo Soft Play, formerly known as Slaves, and London-based indie-rock band Mary in the Junkyard. What songs will The Murder Capital play? This is a set list performed by The Murder Capital at Blind in Turkey last month. It might give an idea of what to expect at the Dublin concert. The Fall More Is Less Death of a Giant The Stars Will Leave Their Stage A Thousand Lives Heart in the Hole A Distant Life That Feeling Swallow Love of Country Green & Blue Feeling Fades Moonshot Can't Pretend to Know Don't Cling to Life Ethel Words Lost Meaning How do I get to and from the gig? The venue is located right beside St Stephen's Green in the heart of Dublin city, so concertgoers 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 off at St Stephen's Green and walking seven minutes to the Iveagh Gardens. Travel by car: The closest car park to the venue is the Q-Park at St Stephen's Green. You can pre-book a parking space here , though 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 there are still tickets for the available. They can be purchased from Ticketmaster here . Remember to download your tickets to your phone in advance, as there may be internet or connectivity issues at the venue on the day. Do not rely on screenshots, as Ticketmaster often use live or dynamic barcodes that update regularly. What is security like? The event is for over-14s only, and under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Make sure to bring an official form of identification with you such as a passport, Garda age card or driving licence. Bags size A4 or more will not be permitted entry, and all bags will be subject to a search on arrival. Prohibited items include 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 look like? According to Met Éireann, Saturday will be mostly cloudy with highest temperatures of 15-18 degrees.
Irish Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Natasha Bedingfield at Iveagh Gardens in Dublin: Stage times, ticket information, support acts and more
British pop singer Natasha Bedingfield is set to perform at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens this Friday. The singer, who had great success in the mid-2000s before taking a break from music in 2010, is enjoying a resurgence in popularity after her hit 2004 song Unwritten was featured in the recent Anyone But You romcom starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell . After the film's release, Unwritten went viral on TikTok and was introduced to a new generation of fans. Bedingfield is performing in Dublin as part of her European tour and recently announced that she will be touring North America this autumn. If you are going to her gig this Friday, here's everything you need to know. When and where is it? Bedingfield plays Dublin's Iveagh Gardens on Friday, July 18th. READ MORE 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 be finished up 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. Who is playing? Bedingfield will be joined by Scottish singer and songwriter Calum Bowie who will perform as her support act. What songs will Natasha Bedingfield play? Here is a set list from Bedingfield's concert at Stora Scenen in Sweden in May this year. It might give an idea of what to expect when she comes to Dublin. Love Like This Pocketful of Sunshine Roller Skate Zombie (The Cranberries cover) Single I Bruise Easily These Words Soulmate Purple Rain (Prince cover) Unwritten How do I get to and from the gig? The venue is located right beside St Stephen's Green in the heart of Dublin city, so concertgoers 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 off at St Stephen's Green and walking seven minutes to the Iveagh Gardens. Travel by car: The closest car park to the venue is the Q-Park at St Stephen's Green. You can pre-book a parking space here , though 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 there are still tickets available. They can be purchased from Ticketmaster here . Remember to download your tickets to your phone in advance, as there may be internet or connectivity issues at the venue on the day. Do not rely on screenshots, as Ticketmaster often use live or dynamic barcodes that update regularly. What is security like? The event is for over-14s only, and under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Make sure to bring an official form of identification with you such as a passport, Garda age card or driving licence. Bags size A4 or more will not be permitted entry, and all bags will be subject to a search on arrival. Prohibited items include 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. How is the weather looking? According to Met Éireann, Friday is to be mostly cloudy with some sunshine and scatted showers. Highest temperatures of 17-21 degrees are expected in light southwest or variable breezes.
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 Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Damien Dempsey at Iveagh Gardens: Euphoric crowd revels in ‘summer singsong'
Damien Dempsey Iveagh Gardens, Dublin ★★★★☆ In Colony, Damien Dempsey sings of Freddie, who came from the Iveagh Flats, one of a cast of characters from the wrong side of the tracks. But the singer from Donaghmede on Dublin's northside has made the Iveagh Gardens off St Stephen's Green a home from home. This is his 12th year performing there and it hasn't rained once, he says. 'The sun gods must approve of this summer singsong.' On the afternoon before last night's gig, he tells the crowd, he stood on the Hill of Howth and looked down over his city, his heart beating like a surfer anticipating a big wave. If he was anxious, he need not have worried. This is a crowd he could surf on. In fact, Dempsey doesn't attract an audience so much as a volunteer choir of acolytes, amplifying every chorus. 'You're in fine voice tonight,' he says, often applauding them at the end of a song. READ MORE A marvellous rendition of Almighty Love, with his young nephew Cathal Dempsey joining him on guitar, kick-starts the night, followed by I Can Feel Your Presence, one of his best ballads, and the anthem Seize the Day, which allows the band to come into their own. The cellist struggles to be heard over guitars and drums but the uilleann pipes and flute give the concert a home-grown sound. Dempsey is an honest, impassioned singer, who leaves nothing on the pitch, even on weaker numbers. If the simplicity of his lyrics occasionally borders on the banal – the advice to tell the truth but tell it slant either unheard or unheeded – the sincerity of the delivery redeems it. He dedicates a song to 'our Celtic warrior queen fighting tomorrow night', Katie Taylor . It's a warm night and Dempsey, a former fighter himself, is breathing heavily between rounds. 'I couldn't wear skinny jeans tonight so I can't hit the high notes,' he jokes. He dedicates Chris & Stevie, about two friends who died by suicide, to his mother, who helped him through hard times. 'To all you people, be proud of who you are,' he sings and it resonates. He is a blue-collar mechanic for the soul. 'I'll give you a lift after that,' he says, 'but you have to grieve.' [ Damien Dempsey: Hold Your Joy – An infectiously wholehearted approach to singing and storytelling Opens in new window ] Ironically, perhaps, the upbeat number he chooses is Schoolday's Over by Ewan MacColl, about a school-leaver going down the coal mines. Far more uplifting and lively is Patience with its reggae vibe. 'You know I got no brakes!' 'We are travelling on a blue jewel around a burning star,' he tells the crowd. 'How could you not sing?' Serious is next, a powerful, believable ballad about a boy being groomed by a drug dealer, followed by the anthemic Apple of My Eye, his love letter to New York, on which the uilleann pipes come into their own. Then the crowd explodes during a full-blooded rendition of the Rocky Road to Dublin. Suddenly it's raining beer as plastic glasses sail through the air. It's euphoric. Dempsey prefaces Colony, an anti-imperialist song, by expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and the Jewish activists supporting them and he calls for support for Frances Black's Occupied Territories Bill . Negative Vibes reintroduces a welcome reggae beat – 'Lord won't you give me the strength to be strong and true?' – and as the night draws to a close, the singer pays tribute to our glorious dead – Shane MacGowan, Sinéad O'Connor, Seamus Begley and Christy Dignam – with a tender rendition of the beautiful Rainy Night in Soho. He has the measure of our dreams. Damien Dempsey plays the Iveagh Gardens again tonight
