2018-09-15 Hey Troubadour - Whelans Dublin

A few months back, a friend mentioned a gig that was taking place in Whelans in September. Glen Hansard, David Keenan, Mark Geary and a few others were all due to play. It sounded like a good night out and hey, it was in aid of a charity, so I just had to go!

Turns out that the charity in question was Aidlink. So who are they? Well, Aidlink are an Irish NGO working with communities in Kenya, Ghana & Uganda to deliver basic needs such as water, education, healthcare and promoting & protecting Girls' Rights. That’s a very worthy cause so go check out their website.

OK, that’s the reason we were all there out of the way, so who played you’re probably wondering. Well lots, lots of artists played! I don’t have photos of everyone unfortunately, fun got in the way of taking photos at times!

The main gig was downstairs in Whelans, each artist played 2 or 3 songs and things moved along nicely. I also caught a few acts live that I'd never seen before such as Ailbhe Reddy, Ruth Mac, Junior Brother and Larry Beau. It's aleays great to be introduced to new music!

Mind you, it wasn't all music. The rather brilliant Natalya O'Flaherty performed some of her own poetry and you couldn't help but be moved by it. Amazing stuff.

But like all good things, the night had to come to an end. Well... A few of the artists and some of the punters retired to the smaller upstairs venue where the party continued in earnest!

Mundy, Steve Wall, Sample Answer and Jane Willow all got up to play a few more tunes and kept the party alive till the very early hours. Rumour has it that there is a photo of me on stage with all those legends. I say rumour... The photo is actually sitting in a frame in my house!

It would be amazing if the “Hey Troubadour” gig was to become and annual event, showcasing the best and brightest of the new school with the elder states folk of the Irish music scene. Here’s hoping that Born Optimistic will make it happen!

Check out the photos below: