Gene returned to Dublin with confidence and purpose on March 25, 2026, transforming The Academy into a packed, reverberating tribute to classic indie songwriting and enduring fan devotion.
Opening the night were Dublin favourites Sack, whose 30 minute support slot provided a measured but effective start. Playing to a room that steadily filled throughout their set, the band leaned into their melodic strengths, delivering a warm, unhurried performance that gradually drew the early crowd closer. It was a fitting hometown set with tracks from their latest album, setting the tone without overstating the occasion.
By the time Gene emerged, The Academy had reached full capacity, anticipation spilling across the venue. From the outset, the London band approached the night with ambition, launching into an expansive 23 song set that showcased both the emotional sweep and sharp immediacy that defined their original rise. The performance balanced polished musicianship with genuine urgency, avoiding nostalgia in favour of something more alive and present.
The setlist moved fluidly between soaring indie anthems and quieter, reflective moments, with the crowd responding in kind, attentive during the lows and euphoric during the highs. Gene’s command of pacing proved key, building momentum steadily toward a finale that felt earned rather than predictable.
Refusing to leave the stage quietly, the band returned for not one but two encores, pushing the evening into celebratory territory. By the closing moments, The Academy had become a collective singalong, confirming that Gene’s catalogue still resonates powerfully, not simply as a relic of the past, but as music that continues to connect in the present.
Sack photos:
Gene photos & set-list:
Set-list:
You’ll Never Walk Again
We Could Be Kings
Be My Light, Be My Guide
Sick, Sober & Sorry
This Is Not My Crime
Walking in the Shallows
Truth, Rest Your Head
Stop
Long Sleeves for the Summer
Where Are They Now?
Save Me, I’m Yours
Speak to Me Someone
Yours for the Taking
Who Said This Was the End
The British Disease
Haunted by You
Olympian
___________________________
London, Can You Wait?
For the Dead
Fighting Fit
___________________________
Drawn to the Deep End
Is It Over?
Sleep Well Tonight
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic