Just Gilbert, Gilbert O’Sullivan Live, Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, 23 October 2018.

Gilbert O'Sullivan celebrated 50 years in entertainment with a sell out extensive tour over the past 2 Years taking in most of the UK, Australia, various European Cities and of course his native Ireland, with his final show of the tour performing with the RTE concert orchestra in a sell out show at Dublin’s Bord Gais Energy Theatre in December 2017. The compilation ‘Essential Gilbert’ album released to coincide with the tour, featuring the classic hits from the 70s and 80s along with a selection of more recent album tracks, was a significant UK chart hit helping the now legendary singer songwriter to regain his rightful place in the pantheon of great composers of modern popular song. To coincide with the recent release of a brand new studio album entitled ’Gilbert O’Sullivan’ produced by Ethan Johns, Gilbert announced a further series of live performances, this time solo ’Just Gilbert’ shows in smaller more intimate venues across the UK, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands and Ireland. The selection of the fast rising Pavilion Theatre in Dublin’s Dun Laoghaire was an inspired choice of venue with the sell out crowd enjoying a rare pared back but still brilliant Gilbert performance. Accompanied this time by a single musician, guitarist and long time Gilbert band member, Bill Shanley, Gilbert performed many of his classic hits, sharing the stories behind the songs with a delighted Pavilion audience. The signature big hits ‘Nothing Rhymed‘, ‘We Will‘, ‘Alone Again Naturally' and many others were beautifully delivered along with tracks from the new album such as ‘At The End Of The Day’, ‘I'll Never Love Again’ and the evocative and catchy ‘Dansette Dreams and 45's’, the latter emerging as a new fan favourite. This was a rare opportunity to witness a true artist without the backup of a brilliant band showing precisely why he has such an enduring appeal and loyal fan base across the world. His talent as a composer of great pop songs combined with his shy, reticent yet deeply entertaining live performer persona, ensures Gilbert O’Sullivan’s place in pop music history. The fact that he is still performing live to sell out crowds and continuing to write and record new music is evidence of just how special this man really is.

Johnny Logan Live at Vicar Street - Dublin 22 September 2018

Johnny Logan was clearly still on a high from a recent appearance at ‘Electric Picnic’ when he took to the stage at Vicar Street on Sat 22 Sept. At a venue which has hosted many music legends over the years Johnny worked his adoring audience into a pure frenzy. The security staff probably weren’t expecting such a busy evening, frequently having to prevent some of Logan’s more enthusiastic fans from rushing the stage. In the presence of a sell out capacity crowd made up of fans from at least 6 different Countries, Johnny delivered one of his finest ever live performances with a well judged and perfectly executed set. Mixing new and old material, from his classic Eurovision winners to more recent material from the 2017 studio album ‘It is what it is’, Johnny could do no wrong. Particular highlights on the night were ‘House of Lucille’, ‘Addicted’, an unusual interpretation of Leonard Cohen‘s classic ‘Hallelujah‘, recent hit single ‘Forever and a day’ (a track reminiscent of Logan’s massive hit ‘Hold Me Now‘) and the evocative ‘Full moon over Berlin’. A deeply moving performance of ‘What’s Another Year’, with composer Shay Healy bravely sharing the stage with Johnny brought the audience to its feet. Johnny Logan has never lost his principle gifts, a powerful and truly majestic voice, genuine sex appeal and the clear ability to connect with an audience. His three Eurovision wins have been in his own words ‘both a blessing and a curse’ bringing him international fame and critical derision in equal measure but at his core Johnny Logan is a truly soulful singer and gifted live performer. Now in his 60s though looking and sounding like a much younger man, he is one of Ireland’s true national treasures and a show business icon. In his Vicar Street show, Johnny displayed once again the reason why he has won so many Eurovision Song Contests; pure raw talent. Johnny Logan has enjoyed significant international success over what has now been a very long career, but his homecoming Vicar Street shows over the past 3 years have finally enabled his Irish audience to reconnect with his particular blend of Euro Magic and appreciate the man in an entirely new light as a bona fide Irish musical legend. A final word on Logan’s brilliant musicians at Vicar Street led by M.D Eugene McCarthy featuring a shy, talented & sensual guitarist, Jack Sherrard (Johnny Logan’s son), with an innate musical ability in his own right. Daniel Lindon

Leo Sayer Cork Opera House 16 September 2018 Still 'Moonlighting' & Rocking @70

Leo Sayer celebrated his 70th birthday recently, not that age matters to this legendary hit maker and consummate live performer. 'Fxxx Old Age' Leo told his adoring Cork audience, during his last show on a short sell out Irish Tour which also included gigs in Dublin & Northern Ireland to equally enthusiastic audiences. Emerging into the limelight for the first time in the 1970s Leo Sayer is one of the music industry's great survivors of UK pop's golden era which saw his music top the charts worldwide and achieve critical as well as commercial success. Falling out of fashion in the 1990s, the decade when music largely turned its back on legendary pop and rock artists, Sayer managed to stage an unexpected comeback in 2006 when a remix of his classic hit 'Thunder in the Night' topped the UK singles charts. Numerous compilation albums and a new studio album followed which slowly saw the singer tour his way back to the top leaving his many well publicised legal battles with former managers and record companies behind. One of the last truly great British live pop artists still touring today, a night with Leo Sayer is a master class in pop music performance. His voice has lost practically none of its power and his on stage energy is as infectious as ever. His Opera House show featured all the Sayer smash hits as well as tracks from more recent studio recordings such as the 2015 'Restless Years' album. Particular highlights at the Opera House were performances of his classics 'Moonlighting' and 'Orchard Road' (2 of his finest ever recordings) as well as a mesmerising extended blues inspired performance of 'Raining in my Heart', showcasing his own brilliant harmonica skills. Leaving the Opera House stage after numerous standing ovations, Leo promised to return soon and his Cork audience were all agreed, make it very soon.

Red Hurley - National Concert Hall 21 August 2018

Red Hurley has been through many significant career phases forgetting more career highlights (over 20 hit records including 5 number 1s, TV specials, multiple sell out tours) than most artists come close to experiencing. Currently enjoying yet another significant comeback with a sell out late 2018 Irish tour and a number 1 album of spiritual classics,aimed at the 2018 papal visit of Pope Francis to Ireland in which 3 of his hit songs are showcased, Red played to a sell out crowd at the National Concert Hall on the 21 August 2018, receiving 2 standing ovations. The hit show featured a host of special guests including a star turn from actor and singer Patrick Bergin (looking and sounding like a latter day Kris Kristofferson) and Red‘s talented & beautiful daughter Stephanie ( a young woman to watch with a soaring voice). Just reaching an age when other artists might be slowing down, Red Hurley’s career is scaling the heights yet again and this true legend is surely one of the great Irish show business survivors. After this sell out autumn solo tour finishes, watch out for Red in 2019 headlining the Ronan Collins 'Reeling in the Showband Years' 10th anniversary tour across Ireland and another 'Stars in the Sun' 2019 Spanish residency (with fellow Eurovision star, Linda Martin). An interesting fact to remember is that Red's more recent chart success, with a slew of successful album releases from 2005 to 2019, places him among the most successful chart acts in Irish show business history with hits in every decade (singles & albums) from the late 1960s to the present day (2018).