Gigs in 2025
Music
Larkin Poe
Support act: Son Little
One of my favourite contemporary rock bands, Larkin Poe, blends great American music traditions such as the blues, country and bluegrass with signature flair. It was great to witness the Lovell sisters's guitar prowess up close.
at O2 Academy,
Theatre
Rocky Horror Show
A new UK and Ireland stage adaptation of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, with Adam Strong as Frank-N-Furter. All the performers were great and had the audience in stitches.
at Grand Opera House,
Theatre
Girl from the North Country
This Conor McPherson’s play which masterfully intertwines a number of Dylan classics with an original story set in Minnesota in the 1930s was a highlight of our London trip. It was a limited revival at the iconic Old Vic which we were fortunate enough to witness. Katie Brayben's rendition of "Forever Young" towards the end of the play had me in tears.
at The Old Vic,
Theatre
Sing Street
This stage adaptation of John Carney’s film "Sing Street" featured a new UK & Ireland cast. I love the film to bits, and although there were some minor differences made to the story in this version, I enjoyed it immensely.
at The Lyric Hammersmith,
Music
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts
Support acts: Naima Bock, Amble, Van Morrison, Yusuf/Cat Stevens
Neil Yound played the BST Hyde Park festival with his new backing band, The Chrome Hearts, on their "Love Earth" tour. Neil didn't disappoint; his guitar tone was as raw and dirty as ever, and they played all the way through to the curfew at 10.30pm. They had to cut the sound off as he was finishing "Rocking in the Free World".
at Hyde Park,
Music
Alanis Morissette
Support acts: Irish Woman in Harmony, Liz Phair
Alanis headlined the Belsonic festival. It was a rainy evening in Belfast, but the atmosphere was great and Alanis rocked the show. People were singing along and having fun.
at Ormeau Park,
Music
Bonnie Raitt
Support act: Martin Harley
The legendary Bonnie Raitt performed a number of classics from her enormous back catalogue. I especially liked the acoustic rendition of "Angel from Montgomery".
at Ulster Hall,
Music
Holy Holy: A Celebration of Bowie
Woody Woodmansey (from The Spiders from Mars) and Tony Visconti (Bowie's longtime producer) pay tribute to the late, great David Bowie, featuring Glen Gregory from Heaven 17 on vocals, and a brilliant crew of musicians in tow. They performed a delightful selection of Bowie’s hits.
at O2 Academy,
Music
Wes Banderson
Wes Banderson is a motley crew of musicians, led by Adam Znaidi, playing the music from Wes Anderson’s films. They covered a number of tracks from several Wes Anderson films with great precision, paying fitting tribute to composers such as Alexandre Desplat and Mark Mothersbaugh.
at The Black Box,
Comedy
Foil, Arms & Hog
The Irish comedy trio Foil, Arms & Hog brought their signature skits to Belfast on their "Skittish" tour. It was am excellent evening full of laughs.
at Grand Opera House,
Music
André Rieu
The Dutch violinist and his Johann Strauss Orchestra performed a delightful selection of classical tunes and renditions of modern popular music. The SSE Arena was sold out.
at SSE Arena,
