On May 2nd, the 3Arena was transformed into a space of reflection, connection, and pure musical magic as David Gray took the stage for the Dublin stop of his Past and Present tour. With a career spanning decades and the release of his 13th album Dear Life earlier this year, Gray reminded the 9,000-strong crowd exactly why his voice still resonates so deeply.
The night felt different from the start. With the venue fully seated and bars closed throughout the show, a rare quiet filled the space, a stillness that allowed the music to speak louder than anything else. Gone were the usual distractions, and in their place was a sense of shared focus, reverence even, as the audience leaned in to hear every word and note.
Gray moved gracefully between newer songs from Dear Life and the timeless classics that have sound-tracked so many lives. But it was the final moments, when Babylon, This Year’s Love, and Sail Away filled the arena, that the emotion truly overflowed. Every voice in the venue joined in, creating a powerful, collective chorus that echoed with nostalgia and pure joy. It wasn’t just a singalong, it was a celebration of music’s ability to connect us all.
Opening the evening was Talia Rae, a stunning talent from East London whose soft voice and personal lyrics captured the crowd’s full attention. Her set was tender, honest, and the perfect start to a night that was less about spectacle and more about soul.
David Gray didn’t just play a concert, he gave Dublin the gift of presence, reminding us of what live music can be when we truly listen.
Talia Rae photos:
David Gray photos & set-list:
Set-list:
After the Harvest
My Oh My
White Ladder
Leave Taking
Silver Lining
Nos Da Cariad
The One I Love
Singing for the Pharaoh
Just Can’t Get Enough (Depeche Mode cover)
Flame Turns Blue
Plus & Minus – With Talia Rae
Please Forgive Me
That Day Must Surely Come
Late Night Radio
Faster, Sooner, Now
The Other Side
Alibi
Be Mine
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Soft Cell cover)
Babylon
Encore:
This Year’s Love
The Old Main Drag (The Pogues cover)
Sail Away
Photos & words – Erica Keogh @ericasnapz
Photographing restrictions were in place
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