Gig Reviews - 2026

RGT are on at 10.

Sprints are driving to Cork tonight.

ETA: Alternatively, looking at the timings for the button factory, Heineken have a load of people they wanted to see both Sprints and TOMORA or they only hired one lot of event staff and needed to shift them across.

I was there on Friday evening. I think they have done a really good job with it. Nice space, though some seating outside the tent would be a good addition. They've used all local suppliers for the food, which is great to see. Ground was muddy in patches after the rain on Thursday so I'm not sure how well it held up over the past couple of days. Big crowd on the night, so hopefully they've made their money and it'll be back.

My one complaint, and it's fairly major, was the sound. There was a massive reverb/echo problem in the tent. I was about half way between the stage and the sound desk and it sounded like there was a second drummer playing out of time at the back of the tent. Really sounded terrible. I'm going again tomorrow, so hopefully they've somehow sorted it.

Robert Finley Whelans. Agree, gig of the year for me. Band were very tight and Finley and his daughter were magnetic. What a charismatic character and boy did he own that stage. Crowd was criminally small but atmosphere was electric. Lead guitarist was impressive

Super Furry Animals were excellent last night. Joyous feeling in the room, super set list.

What happened?

They were having a laugh i thought. Didn't think it was that bad tbh. Picked up through their set anyway.

SFA were bang on it. Sounded like they'd never been away and not remotely a nostalgia fest. Run! Christian, Run!, Mountain People and Receptacle For The Respectable the highlights for me. Just wish all three songs had been longer as they were well into the psych zone. I always forget how Christian basically morphs into Spiritualized's Shine A Light at the end. I've had it on a loop all morning.

First time seeing Ice Hockey Hair for me in 20 years. Made the night.

I thought they struggled a bit at the beginning when the venue was less than half full. They feed off the crowd energy. I saw them in the WC and they had the place hopping. Then I wasn't sure were they just a comedic interest but last night I could see/hear their musicianship. Also fair play to them for calling out the venue and their 25% cut on Merch. sales.

That's a real shame. They had the place bouncing in Belfast towards the end of last year.

Yeah, I felt conflicted at the start of SFA. All the songs you'd want to hear... and played well but it didn't feel special until Hello Sunshine... after that the gig really came alive.

Great setlist... sure they've never put out a bad record.

Was anyone at the Roy Keane / Roddy Doyle in the Three Arena last night?