Kicking off the night was the venerable Davey Macmanus, who brought a commanding and deeply personal performance to the stage. His set was a powerful blend of new material and fan favorites from his time in The Crocketts and The Crimea. His signature soulful croon and raw, passionate delivery elevated his philosophical, sometimes poetic lyrics. It was a set that felt both introspective and utterly captivating, perfectly preparing the Dublin audience for the headliners.
The air crackled with anticipation before Northern Irish power-trio Ash finally took the stage, immediately unleashing a storm of high-energy, infectious punk-pop that reaffirmed their status as live music titans. Lead singer Tim Wheeler, bassist Mark Hamilton, and drummer Rick McMurray showed zero signs of slowing down, barreling through a career-spanning set with the same fiery, teenage spark that launched them decades ago.
The Academy floor became a frenzy as they delivered an onslaught of hits, with explosive singalongs for ‘Oh Yeah’ and ‘Kung Fu’ creating a deafening wave of nostalgia. Wheeler’s guitar work was sharp and anthemic, while the rhythm section maintained a ferocious, floor-shaking pace.
Davey Macmanus photos:
Ash photos & set-list:
Photos & words – Zoltán Szabó @mrzoltanphoto