Gig Reviews - 2026

Electric Nitwit · 21-02-2026 03:06AM

Just on the bus home myself. I enjoyed Wu Lyf but I love the songs, objectively I'm not sure they were that great. Only the bassist looked happy to be there

Ditz were great fun, crowd were brilliant, singer was a great ringmaster

But yeah, obviously Boko Yout were the highlight of the night, just pure madcap brilliance 🙂

Organisation, well yeah. Project Art Centre just didn't work, so the Workman's was far too crowded. Hopefully they learn. Might be better to move to Grand Social with its two rooms or something. The curation is wonderful, so hopefully they can sort the practicalities

That's cool StillIll about For Those I Love. I got chatting to some of his office colleagues at his gig and they obviously thought the world of him. No chats tonight, I was stood next to the lead singer of Bleech at the bar but didn't want to interrupt 😋

Pudsy33 · 21-02-2026 12:06PM

Really enjoyed Borderline day 1 but the venue issues definitely took the shine off.

Positives:

Boko Yout were fantastic. After the first song I didn't think it would be for me but jesus I was wrong, their infectious energy just pulls you in.

Ditz likewise, a total assault on the senses in the best way.

Mary in the Junkyard were enjoyable but probably suffered from being after Boko Yout, it was a bit of an energy shift downwards. Will check out their records.

Bleech 93 had their moments, singer has a great voice.

Negatives:

I arrived at 730 and luckily avoided the queue but it meant I was stuck in Workmans for the night. I don't want to complain given the nightmare some others seems to had but the split venue definitely took away some of the magic from the previous years. You'd really miss running down to the basement to catch 20 mins of an act and I saw some of my favourite bands of the last few editions down there. I also overheard a fair few people saying they'd bought tickets specifically to see Bleech and missed them entirely.

I'll be in the queue early again tonight!

Irish Aris · 21-02-2026 12:09PM

My 2026 concert adventures got off to a good start at Whelan's last night, with some 80s nostalgia, courtesy of Mr Mark Shaw and his Then Jerico. I have seen him in one of the Forever Young editions for the customary 15-20 minutes and the 3 bigger hits.

He still is (at 65) a very energetic performer, moving left and right on (the small) Whelan's stage and connecting with the fans. For Muscle Deep and Big Area, he left the stage and wandered around the ground floor area, singing among the fans. The setlist was almost exclusively songs from the first 2 album they released in the 80s. The sound could have been a bit better - I think his mic was a bit low and his voice is still on the higher pitch, so the vocals weren't always clear (either that or the guitar was a bit too loud). All in all though, a very enjoyable evening.

Irish Aris · 21-02-2026 12:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124252938#Comment_124252938

Out of curiosity, Electric Nitwit, which space do they use at Project Arts? The upstairs main theatre or the small one downstairs?

Pudsy33 · 21-02-2026 01:06PM

It was both as far as I know

Electric Nitwit · 21-02-2026 01:19PM

Yeah, was both. I only went upstairs, nice space but not great for music, felt a bit cavernous and was pretty empty

Stillill42 · 21-02-2026 02:21PM

Gawd knows what's ahead of us tonight. I'm in the Academy beforehand and really just want to see Adult DVD so I'll keep my fingers crossed that the queues for the Workman's aren't too mental at 10.30 or so.

Electric Nitwit · 21-02-2026 02:26PM

Few pictures of Borderline…

Bleech 9 3

Boko Yout

Ditz

Wu Lyf

Sidenote, there were a few official photographers there last night, as there is with every gig. Does anyone know where their photos end up?

Gloomtastic! · 21-02-2026 03:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124253626#Comment_124253626

Front of stage was too manic last night, didn’t see any photographers. I saw one backstage, she may be with the promoters.
I talk to a few photographers that I meet now and then at various gigs. Most just do it for themselves.

Gloomtastic! · 21-02-2026 05:17PM

Got an email from Project Arts Centre requesting feedback for last night. When I clicked on the link, it said ‘This survey is currently closed’. 🙄

Stillill42 · 21-02-2026 05:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124254507#Comment_124254507

Theres probably a queue, Gloomtastic. A really long queue.

Still Ill · 21-02-2026 05:57PM

First time going to Borderline. Brilliant concept. Execution not so much. Abandoned all hope of even getting into the Workmans. Ended up hanging around Project Arts for most of the early part of the night. Bit of a pain not being able to bring your drink in with you. The layout of the downstairs venue doesn't really lend itself to the festival feel where it's awkward to wander on and out without feeling like you're insulting the artist by leaving mid-set.

Decided to give Workmans anther try at about 11 and was surprised there was no queue whatsoever. Always find it odd when they give you your drink in a glass there. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen, especially at rowdier gigs. Caught the last two acts there. Enjoyed everyone I saw -particularly Wu Lyf.

Stillill42 · 21-02-2026 06:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124254640#Comment_124254640

I'd forgotten there's no bar in the Project Arts. Yeah, just too much generally not working this year. Outstanding bookings. Hope they have a rethink next year and get it back on track.

Still Ill · 21-02-2026 06:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124254747#Comment_124254747

There was a bar upstairs selling bottles, but could only drink them in the foyer. Couldn't bring them into the performance areas.

Penfailed · 21-02-2026 08:01PM

Sleaford Mods last night in the Limelight were excellent! Not the easiest listen on record but fantastic live. The support band were also class. Cowboy Hunters. Two piece with a fella on drums and vocals and a girl on bass and vocals. Really enjoyed them. I'd definitely go and see both again.

Gloomtastic! · 21-02-2026 08:55PM

Borderline a lot quieter tonight. Tickets on sale and Workman’s 3/4 empty……

Gloomtastic! · 21-02-2026 11:21PM

Hmmmm. All a bit meh….I think we were spoilt last night.

Pudsy33 · 21-02-2026 11:21PM

No most pits yet on day 2 at Borderline.

Brooki were decent. Good front woman and I look forward to seeing them again.

Silver Gore reminded me of Jockstrap, who I like, but I couldn't get into it.

Man/Woman/Chainsaw, yep that's down my street. Very BCNR in parts. Love seeing a big band on stage.

Stillill42 · 22-02-2026 12:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255377#Comment_124255377

Only there for Brooki of that trio, decent alright. She's a fantastic front woman Just got back in for Deadletter, who did nothing for me. I think it's because the lead singer reminded me of Tom Cruise. Which is a **** look for a lead singer. Looking forward to Adult DVD.

Stillill42 · 22-02-2026 02:05AM

Whitney absolutely brilliant in the Academy tonight. Gorgeous album they have out plus all the old favourites. Band in flying form, crowd mad for it, just a beautiful gig.

Adult DVD in the Workman's great craic, not my normal thing, very dancey, albeit with guitars but horrid catchy and they seem like good blokes. Finished the night off with a bit of Null club in the Project Arts. Defo interesting, knob twiddling beats with his guitar providing the back drop but I wasn't fit for too much of it tonight. Great weekend's music. God bless Borderline and all who sail in her, just hope they find a better boat next year.

KawaKris · 22-02-2026 06:30PM

Great gig Thursday night for Sleaford Mods. Very impressed with the support band - Cowboy Hunters. Duo who swapped playing bass & drums half way through the set, very different and interesting band. Sleaford Mods were great although Andrew seemed to me to be slowing down with the auld dance moves - I know the feeling 😀. Few songs of the newest album as expected which are good but raging there was no Nudge it. All in all a good night.

Penfailed · 23-02-2026 09:19AM

Stereolab in the Mandela Hall last night. Fantastic. The sound in that place was perfect 👌

The Nal · 24-02-2026 10:24AM

Sterolab in Whelans. Really enjoyed some of the new album. Translates very well live.

Oversold of course but hey, its Whelans.

Fanirish · 24-02-2026 10:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261294#Comment_124261294

upstairs wasn’t packed by any means

The Nal · 24-02-2026 10:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261298#Comment_124261298

Oh it was. Unless youre at the barrier upstairs you cant see anything. Was 4 deep around the barrier. You may see the tops of their heads. The odd time.

So busy you could barely see the screen. Never mind the actual stage.

Sure try downstairs……..oh….

We were in a decent spot for the first 30 or so but moved for beer/jacks and were happy enough hanging down the back and moving around about.

But they oversell it to silly levels. Always have. 25% ish of people at the gig have terrible views/audio.

Fanirish · 24-02-2026 11:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261356#Comment_124261356

audio is never bad unless you are taking the very back bars.
Was three deep upstairs and had excellent sound and could see band/screen no problem

The Nal · 24-02-2026 11:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261407#Comment_124261407

Yeah everyone wants to go to a small venue and have to watch the gig on a screen.

Fanirish · 24-02-2026 11:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261423#Comment_124261423

I’ve never had an issue moving around and finding a good spot. Even downstairs is easy to move into. The floor is never totally jammed

The Nal · 24-02-2026 11:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261458#Comment_124261458

There isnt enough room for everyone whos bought a ticket to see and hear the gig properly. Olympia the same. Academy too.

delbertgrady · 24-02-2026 01:27PM

Two incredible gigs in recent days, both of which will certainly be in my top shows of 2026. Stereolab in the National Concert Hall on Saturday, and Foo Fighters last night in the Academy.

Stereolab were fantastic. Their particular brand of electronic French pop went up several gears when delivered with an almost garage rock approach. The awesome Lætitia Sadier (vocals, guitar, synthesiser, trombone and tambourine) encouraged everyone to stand after the opening song, given that it was an upbeat show, and the additional assertion that - by standing up - we would help deaden the reverb in such a large hall. A setlist that drew heavily from their most recent (excellent) album - Instant Holograms on Metal Film - went down a storm. Melodie is a Wound, Electrified Teenybop! and the closing Cybele's Reverie were particular standouts.

It seems almost cruel to enthuse about Foo Fighters, given the volume of disappointed people who missed out, but there's no denying that the thirty-six hours of excitement and anticipation between ticket purchase and actual gig was duly rewarded with a phenomenal, career-spanning show that was rapturously received. As Dave Grohl remarked, a small show can be a bit looser than a stadium gig, but they nevertheless delivered at stadium level. Possible personal highlights: These Days, Hey, Johnny Park! and Exhausted (which was particularly great).

Gig Reviews - 2026

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