Last night, Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre was the place to be as Darren Kiely took the stage for a sold-out show that had the crowd buzzing from start to finish. The venue was packed with family, friends, and fans alike, all eager to kick off the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that little bit early.
The evening began with a performance by Michael Moloney, who first captured our hearts on Irish television’s The Late Late Show with his touching tribute to his late father. His set showcased his growth as an artist, and he displayed genuine emotion. Next up was the incredibly talented Saibh Skelly, a Dublin native known for her captivating voice and engaging stage presence. At just 20 years old, Saibh has already made waves with her original songs and unique covers, amassing a significant following on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Her performance was nothing short of stunning and it’s easy to see why so many people are chatting about her.
When Darren Kiely came onto the stage, the energy in the room was electric. Actually, before he even came on it was electric and he was also buzzing on the side of stage before entering. The crowd was on their feet, dancing and singing along to every song. Chants of “olé, olé, olé” filled the gaps between tracks, something Darren and the rest of the band fully embraced.
But when asked to, the crowd were silent enough to hear Darrens vocals ring around the theatre without the need for a microphone. Something that gave everyone goosebumps.
For the encore, Darren, known for his playful “it’s the last song” routine, switched things up. He announced they’d be back in “40 seconds” instead of the usual 20, then surprised everyone by appearing in the theatre’s boxes to sing from the balcony. The crowd went wild, and as he returned to the stage to close with “Sunrise,”.
The stage, adorned with the Irish flag, served as a perfect backdrop for a night that celebrated Irish music and artistry. It was a beautiful night, marking the beginning of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in the heart of Dublin.
Michael Moloney photos:
Saibh Skelly photos:
Darren Kiely photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Ella
Mom & Dad
Weight
A Long Way
Late Text
I Saw You Getting Married On My Phone…
Mulcair Road
Blood Red / Ocean
Lost & Found
Old & Grey
Slow Decay
Time To Leave
Avalon
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Say I
Sunrise
Photos – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic
Words – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography