On a loud and electric Tuesday night at the iconic 3Olympia Theatre, teenage country pop sensation Maddox Batson brought his Live! 2026 Worldwide Tour to Dublin, delivering a performance that proved exactly why his popularity has exploded over the past year. With a crowd dominated by enthusiastic teenagers, the atmosphere inside the packed venue was relentless from the opening moments, the piercing screams often drowning out the music itself.
Before Batson took the stage, Irish singer-songwriter Mark O’Donnell warmed up the audience with a confident seven-song set. The Donegal native blended heartfelt lyrics with laid back charm, creating a strong connection with the crowd despite the anticipation for the headline act hanging heavily in the room. His acoustic driven style offered a calmer contrast to what would follow later in the evening.
As soon as the lights dropped for Batson’s arrival, the venue erupted. The 16-year-old performer stepped onto the stage to deafening screams that barely eased throughout his 19 song performance. From the very beginning, Batson carried himself with the confidence of an artist far beyond his years, balancing polished vocals with a natural stage presence that kept the audience fully engaged.
A major highlight of the night came during his breakthrough single, “Tears in the River”, which has already accumulated over 13 million streams since its release. The reaction inside the Olympia was overwhelming, with nearly every lyric shouted back toward the stage. Batson clearly understood the connection he has built with his audience, frequently interacting with fans between songs and soaking in the excitement surrounding him.
The production remained simple but effective, allowing the music and crowd energy to take centre stage. While the constant screaming occasionally overpowered quieter moments, it also reflected the scale of Batson’s rapidly growing fanbase.
For a 16-year old artist still early in his career, Maddox Batson’s Dublin debut felt less like a newcomer’s show and more like the arrival of a future arena headliner.
Mark O’Donnell photos & set-list:
Set-list:
3 Years Ago
Dawson Street
Can’t Go Back
Put You First
Everything
Die On This Hill (Sienna Spiro cover)
Break Your Heart
Maddox Batson photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Southbound
I Need A Truck
God Talkin’
If I See Her Again
It Was You
Any Other Night
I Don’t Like You Anymore
Problem
Somewhere South
Coincidence
X’s
Tough
Don’t Look Up
Tears In The River
I Had Some Help (Post Malone cover)
Fallin’ Easy
I Wanna Knbow
Girl In Green
No More
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic