The Goo 1
Regular PIC: GLEN BOLLARD Me Jewel and Darlin’ Du
blin John Barker One of the bona fide champions of Irish music, Dubliner John Barker started out broadcasting on Dublin City FM before moving to 98FM where his Totally Irish show copper fastened his unquenchable appetite and passion for local music. Dubbed by listeners and musicians as “the Lord Mayor of Irish music”, John now presents Tilt with John Barker on 103.2 Dublin City FM every Monday night between 9 and 11pm and curates a gig series of the same name that gives great local acts a chance to play on the amazing Button Factory stage. John and crew have just released Tilt - The Album - Volume 2 a free to download album featuring 20 live songs from 20 local acts which is well worth checking out. Where do you live: I live in Donnycarney, Dublin 9. How do you get around the city: I use the bus or Dart as much as possible or if I can walk I’ll walk. Do you have a secret refuge/ hiding place in the city: The Phoenix Park was like my back garden growing up so I go back there for that connection whenever possible. PAGE 46 If you found €50 on the street where would you spend it: I’d go for lunch somewhere in Smithfield and then catch an afternoon film in The Lighthouse cinema. Favourite boozer: Frank Ryan’s on Queen St. Favourite building/street: Teeling Whiskey Distillery / Camden Street Favourite walk: The coast road from Clontarf up to Sutton. Favourite shop/cafe/eatery: The Orange Goat in Killester. Great staff and coffee. First gig you attended in Dublin: Sunstroke 1994 in Dalymount Park. I went with my mate Baz. The Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined. Soundgarden pulled out at the last minute. I think Therapy? were on the line-up too. My first time crowdsurfing! Best gig you ever went to in Dublin: Sufjan Stevens in The Olympia Theatre, May 17th 2011. Best memories of Dublin in your twenties: In my early 20s I worked in Bewley’s on Mary St through college and – after a year in Australia - then did bar work in Maguire’s on Baggot St. I was living with mates, earning some money, going to gigs (Radiohead in The Olympia in 2003 was a highlight). I always worked hard and partied hard when I could, fully convinced I was going in the right direction even though I had no idea what that direction was. Then suddenly within a few weeks I got a job teaching and another job working in radio and that’s been my life ever since. One thing you miss that's gone in Dublin: Honestly there’s nothing I miss that hasn’t been replaced by something better. Dublin in 2023 is living its best life. One thing Dublin needs more of: At least one commercial radio station that doesn’t play bland music 24/7 and is committed to producing creative playlists and being relevant to the local music scene. If I ruled Dublin I would… Invite everyone in the city to attend a last man standing - ‘fight to the death battle’ - between Mattress Mick, Adrian Kennedy and Bono. Tilt with John Barker is broadcast live every Monday evening on 103.2 Dublin City FM between 9-11pm. The show features the best new Irish releases every week. All shows are available on Spotify. Instagram: @johnbarkertilt Twitter: @JohnBarkerTilt Tilt - The Album - Volume 2 is available to download for free on Bandcamp: https:// tiltthealbum.bandcamp.com/album/