The Goo 1
Festival Focus Dún Laoghaire SUMMERFEST 2024 From
folk to indie and rock, tributes to karaoke, the 2024 Dún Laoghaire SUMMERFEST is making a splash with over 70 acts and events to attend. Happening in various venues from 5th to the 14th of July, these are the acts we’re excited to see: SACK + COLM LYNCH + GUEST: NANCY KATE 20:00, Friday 5th July @ The Purty Kitchen Sack’s latest single, ‘Wake up People’ has garnered lots of radio play (Tom Dunne loves it so much he played it twice in one night) and with its sparkling guitars, three part harmonies and woozy synths, showcases a more completist sound that augurs very well for the release of their new album in the Autumn. Colm Lynch coheadlines following a recent sold-out show recreating his album A Whisper to a Riot. Watch out for his song ‘Dun Laoghaire’, a local favourite. SCULLION + SUPPORT: HARRIS 19:30, Friday 5th July @ The Royal Marine Hotel Irish music legends headline hot from the release of their latest album, Time Has Made a Change in Me. It’s another masterclass in songwriting and also includes the reimagined version of I Need My Girl by The National. THE BEAT (UK) + GUESTS: THE ULTIMATE POLICE + DEL BIONIC 20:00, Saturday 6th July @ The Purty Kitchen Fronted by Ranking Junior, the energetic son of the legendary founder member Ranking Roger, The Beat (UK) return to play some of the greatest pop songs of the 80’s. Also on the bill are special guests Del Bionic (lead anger of The Bionic Rats) and The Police tribute band The Ultimate Police. A superb line up. PAGE 40 BAGATELLE + GUESTS 18:30, Sunday 7th July @ The Purty Kitchen In celebration of the late Liam Reilly [lead singer of Bagatelle], who passed away in January 2024, these 70’s legends tick the nostalgia box with a heavy heart. The borough is the perfect place to singalong to their signature tune, Summer In Dublin; “So I jumped on a bus to Dun Laoghaire, stoppin’ off to pick up my guitar”. There won’t be a dry eye in the house for this one. MIK PYRO + SUPPORT: AARON ROWE 19:00, Sunday 7th July @ The Lighthouse An animal live, Mik Pyro and his band showcase the simmering hot blues and funk chops of his album Exit Pyro. Unmissable. PADDY CASEY + SPECIAL GUEST: IAN BRENNAN 19:00, Sunday 7th July @ The Royal Marine Hotel From years busking on the streets of Galway and Dublin in the 90s to hit songs and awards, Paddy Casey’s fans have never left his side. ‘Saints & Sinners’ and ‘Sweet Suburban Sky’ are bona fide Irish classics from a different age but Casey, who has been around forever but is still in his forties, is always capable of pulling a rabbit from a hat. THE FRANK & WALTERS + SPECIAL GUEST: STEFAN MURPHY 20:00, Saturday 13th July @ The Purty Kitchen A truly great band, The Franks are still Festival favourites worldwide and with a songbook of classic Indie tunes and a charming stage presence it’s not hard to see why. Supporting them is Stefan Murphy (The Mighty Stef) another brilliant stage craftsman who commands attention wherever he plays. WHAT ELSE IS AT SUMMERFEST? There’s a host of other great gigs and themed nights happening around the town over the course of the SUMMERFEST including ‘Indie Night’ which features up-andcoming artists Last Apollo, Foot Squeaker and Drying Weather at the Lighthouse. Tribute shows aplenty too for Steely Dan, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, Bob Marley et.al and a selection of interactive shows featuring the music of Fleetwood Mac and Abba amongst others. SUMMERFEST have also organised free Open Mic Nights, All Ages events and karaoke nights so there’s something for everyone! eventbrite/dunlaoghaire summerfest for more info.