Latest news with #TheWolfeTones
Extra.ie
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Who are The Young Wolfe Tones?
Irish rebel band The Wolfe Tones played what they say is their last ever performance at Limerick's Thomond Park on Sunday to a packed stadium. The trio, comprised of Brian Warfield, Tommy Byrne and Noel Nagle, were set to retire last year but announced two further gigs at the Limerick stadium for their Final Farewell, having enjoyed a particular resurgence in recent years. The band were formed in 1963 by Brian and Noel who were joined by their neighbour Liam Courtney. The following year, Brian's brother Derek came on board, and then Tommy joined the band, replacing Liam. The four-piece went on for almost 37 years before Derek left the band in 2001. Derek had been performing solo alongside his band duties, and continued with his solo career up until 2006. Following his departure, Brian, Tommy and Noel continued as a three-piece. The band is comprised of six members with Derek leading, along with Damaris Woods, Andreas Durkin, Eddie Kane, Paddy McGrandles and Brent Hopper. Pic: The Young Wolfe Tones/ Facebook They went by the name Brian Warfield, Tommy Byrne and Noel Nagle, formerly of the Wolfe Tones and released their song, You'll Never Beat the Irish along with the album Child of Destiny. Since Derek's departure from the band, his relationship with his brother has been frayed with the pair revealing in 2017 that they hadn't spoken since the split apart from an on air argument in 2009. This took place on Liveline when a discussion began on who owned the rights to the band name, with Brian at the time noting his brother was 'getting restless and wanted to do his own thing.' Last year, The Wolfe Tones celebrated their 60th anniversary. Meanwhile, while Derek pursued a solo career which boasted 11 albums he also formed The Young Wolfe Tones. The band is comprised of six members with Derek leading, along with Damaris Woods, Andreas Durkin, Eddie Kane, Paddy McGrandles and Brent Hopper. The band have a number of concerts coming up, with a certain crossover between The Wolfe Tones due to Warfield's connection to both. For more information go here.
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘We'd love one more' – The Wolfe Tones close curtains on final show & ‘pass baton' to Kneecap amid joint Croker gig hint
THE Wolfe Tones called the curtains down on a 61-year career at Thomond Park last night - but left the door open for one last comeback. Over 55,000 punters attended Advertisement 7 Thousands of people attended the band's final gigs in Limerick Credit: PR Handout 7 However, Brian said it might not be the last time fans see the three-piece on stage Credit: Getty 7 Martin Brennan might join The Wolfe Tones if they played Croker next year Singer 'The end, but I tried not to think about about it too much or else I wouldn't have been able to play.' Advertisement However, Brian said it might not be the last time fans see the three-piece on stage. He told us: 'It was my bandmate Tommy (Byrne) who pulled the plug on the band, but he told me over the weekend he'd be up for 'There's so many fans who missed out on tickets for our last gigs, we'd love one more sing-song with everybody.' The controversial balladeers got an eight-bike Brian joked: 'It's the first time The Wolfe Tones were led by the gardai and not being chased by them. Advertisement 'It was a 20-minute journey but I think it only took a few minutes with the help from gardai, waving us through all the junctions.' And the trad group claimed that Crowds gather as Kneecap play Glasgow gig after TRNSMT axe Brian told us: 'The Wolfe Tones are passing the baton onto 'You can see the grief they're getting over their 'The Wolfe Tones got terrible grief and we don't get played on the radio but the internet saved The Wolfe Tones. It will do the same for Kneecap. Advertisement 'Keep going lads. Keep going Kneecap.' GIG WITH KNEECAP The banjo player has also hinted that Kneecap would be the perfect act to join The Wolfe Tones if they played Croker next year. Brian said: 'That would be a hell of a show for everybody. We might even get Martin Brennan (the Irish farmer played by Steve Coogan) to come out and sing Come Out Ye Black and Tans with us as well.' The 'Tones popularity has soared in recent years, with 30,000 young fans swamping their tent at the Electric Picnic in 2023. But their advanced years meant they decided to call it a day. Advertisement Brian told us: 'I'd rather die on stage than in a nursing home but Tommy is 81 and wants to do other things. 'It was his decision to end The Wolfe Tones. So when he said at the weekend, he'd up be for a show at Croke Park next summer, I nearly choked on my pint. 'Maybe The Wolfe Tones are not over yet.' CHEEKY DRONE The group took to the stage at Thomond Park last night at 8.20pm and took their bows just after 11pm, playing hits including Grace, You'll Never Beat The Irish and Celtic Symphony. Brian said: 'I really thought that was the last gig but maybe we'll be doing it all again next year in Croker, now Tommy is up for it.' Advertisement The Wolfe Tones admitted they were amused over the weekend by a cheeky drone which flew over Footage of this went viral on KELLIE'S APPEARANCE ON STAGE KELLIE HARRINGTON received raucous cheers as she joined The Wolfe Tones on the Main Stage at Electric Picnic last year. In the aftermath of retaining her crown in the women's 60kg division in Paris, the Dubliner did a bit of serenading herself as But she left the singing to the professionals on this occasion. Brian said: 'As I said, the internet has been brilliant for The Wolfe Tones.' The musician admitted that one of the highlights of his career was Olympian Kellie Harrington joining them on stage at the Electric Picnic in 2023. Brian said: 'It was incredible, the audience stretched out as far as the eye could see for miles, as far down as the big wheel. Advertisement 'It had a special significance for me as we were playing right in front of The Hanging Tree. "There right in the middle of the crowd was the same tree where the men of 1798 were hanged. That's why it's called The Hanging Tree.' The Wolfe Tones were bumped up to the Main Stage last year in response to a far bigger crowd than was anticipated VIP guests at the weekend Tones show in Thomond Park included representatives of 7 The Wolfe Tones packed out the main stage at Electric Picnic last year Credit: DMC Event Promotions Advertisement 7 Warfield said The Wolfe Tones are passing the baton onto Kneecap Credit: Getty Images 7 Over 55,000 punters attended the band's final two shows in Limerick over the weekend Credit: DMC Event Promotions 7 Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap of Kneecap at Glastonbury festival Credit: Getty Images
Irish Examiner
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'True rebels, true patriots': Thomond Park sees The Wolfe Tones play their final ever gig
The end of an era is the only way to describe the final ever live performance by The Wolfe Tones, and the trio at its core used their last concert to call for peace in Palestine, peace in Ireland, and also took a swipe at 'British propaganda' in the 1980s. After just over six decades together, the legendary Irish balladeers, who first announced their retirement at the end of 2023, said a final farewell to their fans as a summer heatwave broke in Thomond Park. Fans danced and sang in the rain, not allowing the weather to dampen the celebrations of a 60-year career. Limerick City was a sea of green on Sunday evening as 29,000 fans made the pilgrimage to the sold-out rugby stadium for the last time to see the rebel music band, the rainfall reflecting the tears of many of their devoted followers. Those in the crowd had accents from all corners of Ireland and beyond and sported 40 shades of green, Celtic ponchos, tricolour balaclavas a la Kneecap, and a spectrum of rain ponchos to the landmark event. Some of the fans enjoying the final farewell - Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson With support from Irish singer Dave Lofts and Scottish group Brógeal, the night in Thomond was a retirement do like no other. Taking to the stage at 8.15pm, Noel Nagle, Brian Warfield and Tommy Byrne were visibly emotional at the culmination of their musical career together, not least after some high-profile messages on the big screen. They came on stage after a recorded message from Mary Lou McDonald thanking them for being 'true rebels, true patriots' and singing the opening of Let the People Sing, before Kellie Harrington thanked them for teaching Irish people about their history. Kneecap also earned high-pitched cheers with their video tribute, which included the slogan 'tiocfaidh ár lá'. 'We are proud to have told the story of Ireland for 61 years,' Warfield told the crowd, reflecting on their gigs in the US and Australia during the Troubles before singing their opening song My Heart Is In Ireland. The band was not slow to call out international injustices during their swan song gig, and they called on Israel to return Palestine to the Palestinian people. Brian Warfield at Thomon Park - Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson 'The Wolfe Tones have always been concerned about people and peace in the world. I believe that Israel is going to cause the next world war,' Warfield said. 'They must give over the land to the Palestinian people. God knows we see the suffering of the children there.' As they sang Song of Liberty, several in the crowd held Palestinian flags aloft beside Irish tricolours. 'We have to fight for the people of Ireland,' Warfield said, citing hospital waiting lists as just one area he would like to see to. 'The Wolfe Tones are finishing up tonight but I will continue to fight for the Irish people.' The setlist included some of their most beloved and best-known tunes, including The Teddy Bear's Head, Come Out Ye Black And Tans, The Boys of the Old Brigade, God Save Ireland, and You'll Never Beat The Irish. Celtic Symphony was another tune that had the crowd on their feet, with its notorious verse of 'ooh ah, up the RA', echoing around the stadium before the group settled into a calmer pace with the ever-popular, The Streets of New York. A highlight reel from their decades-long career wouldn't be complete without 'the fastest-selling record in Ireland' at the time, 1973's hit The Helicopter Song. Unsurprising, Sean South went down well with the Limerick crowd, who were back on their feet to honour the Garryowen man. Wolf Tones Final Performance in Thomond Park, Limerick. It was in a high-paced mash-up with The Broad Black Brimmer, Big Strong Man, Rock on Rockall, Irish Eyes Are Smiling, and Some Say the Devil is Dead. They dedicated some time to the Easter Rising of 1916, paying tribute to James Connolly and Padraig Pease before telling 'the greatest love story in the world' with Grace, which ended with soloist Byrne bowing and thanking the crowd for their applause. His bandmate Warfield said he believes Byrne is 'one of the greatest ballad singers in the world.' Before singing The Ballad of Joe McDonnell, which received the loudest and longest applause, Warfield said the British government spread 'bullshit' about Irish people being terrorists at the time. Byrne said it is 'the best song that I have ever sung'. The Wolfe Tones ensured their fans were together On The One Road as their musical journey came to an end and hoarse fans left Thomond Park with a call for Irish unity and A Nation Once Again ringing in their ears along with the knowledge that they had been witness to a major part of Ireland's music history.
Sunday World
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
‘They don't like the Wolfe Tones' – Brian Warfield takes swipe at RTÉ during Thomond Park gig
Thomond Park is the last stop on the band's Final Farewell tour before they retire after more than 60 years performing together. Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones performing at the Electric Picnic in 2023. Photo: Kieran Frost/Redferns Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones has taken a parting swipe at RTÉ during one of the band's farewell shows. The long-running rebel music group played the first of two nights at Limerick's Thomond Park on Friday, with the second night scheduled for Sunday. Thomond Park is the last stop on the band's Final Farewell tour before they retire after more than 60 years performing together. During Friday night's performance, lead vocalist Warfield made a statement about the national broadcaster's treatment of the Wolfe Tones. 'They don't like the Wolfe Tones, do they? You don't hear them on RTÉ,' he told the audience. Read more Coalman convicted of Slane Castle killing had €322k cash hidden under false step in his house "They don't play our music on RTÉ. We have been blacklisted since Section 31, when Conor Cruise O'Brien brought in that awful, awful legislation to blacklist the Wolfe Tones all over the place.' Warfield was referring to Section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act, which was introduced during the Troubles to restrict those associated with paramilitary organisations from the airwaves. Warfield has long spoken about not having their music played on the radio going back to Section 31 being introduced in 1971. "We're retiring this year, we don't give a sh*t,' Warfield said.'Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, they can blacklist us all they like now, we don't care.' He said the band are very proud they 'put up a great fight against RTÉ'. "Their blacklisting of the Wolfe Tones, we're very proud of that. And that's a fight, and that was something not just for us, but for future generations coming along, and that's the important thing.' After Warfield's statement, the band headed into a rendition of their song The Streets of New York. Friday night's Wolfe Tones concert was added as an extra date after the Sunday night show sold out. A crowd of 29,000 concert-goers is expected for the second night.
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Everything you need to know ahead of The Wolfe Tones and The Script gigs at Thomond Park
Thousands will flock to Thomond Park in Limerick this weekend as The Wolfe Tones and The Script take to the stage. The Wolfe Tones will play two nights at the stadium, Friday night and Sunday night, while The Script will take to the stage at the Limerick venue on Saturday night. Promoter MCD Productions has issued a public information notice to concert-goers ahead of the gigs to ensure a safe and fun weekend for all. Getting there Thomond Park is located on the Cratloe Road and is accessible from Junction 3 of the N18 or through the city. Train: The Nearest station is Colbert Station in Limerick city centre. For information on train times, visit Irish Rail Bus: Those attending the concert by bus can take bus routes 302, 303 and 306 from the bus and train station. Visit /Bus Éireann for more information on bus times. Private coach operators: Bus set down, pick up, and parking will be facilitated within the road closure for one section of the North Circular Road and O'Callaghan Strand. Car: Limited event parking is available but must be booked in advance via /Evntz App. At the venue MCD has warned that no camping or queuing is allowed before the doors open on all three nights. 'If patrons do turn up early, they will be turned away at restricted area points around the venue. Queuing in streets around the venue will cause disruption to residents of the area and we appeal to patrons to heed this advice and respect the local community. Customers should plan to be within the venue 30 mins before the show starts,' the statement read. There are several entry routes to the stadium and concert-goers are advised to enter through the gate that is detailed on their ticket. Concert-goers have also been advised that strict security checks will be in operation and that camping or collapsible chairs, bags larger than A4 size, glass or cans, umbrellas, alcohol, signs/flags bigger than A3 size, flag poles, flares, selfie sticks, iPads, laptops, cameras and audio recording equipment will not be permitted. There is no re-admission to the concert, so if you leave the stadium, you will not be allowed to re-enter. MCD has also reminded concert-goers that Thomond Park is in a residential area and appealed to those attending the gigs this weekend to respect the local community by not littering, not engaging in anti-social behaviour and by not parking illegally. 'Please respect the neighbours. Thank you for your support, and enjoy the concert,' the statement read. Line-up Ahead of their two nights at the stadium, Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones said they are 'truly humbled' by the incredible demand to see The Wolfe Tones live, and described it as 'an honour' to bring their music to such an iconic venue. The Wolfe Tones will play the stadium this Friday and Sunday. The Script, alongside special guest James Bay, will play the stadium on Saturday. Read More The Waterboys review: Marquee sees the whole of the moon on a sizzling night in Cork
