Sunday night at Vicar Street was nothing short of special as The Magic Numbers returned to Dublin to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their iconic debut album. What followed was a beautiful, joy-filled evening that honored their journey as a band, their musical evolution, and the unbreakable connection they’ve built with their fans over the last two decades.
To mark the milestone, the band played five beloved tracks from their self-titled debut, sending waves of nostalgia through the room. From there, they took the crowd on a journey through every era of their music, including a stunning and heartfelt cover of Harvest Moon, which wrapped the venue in warmth.
The evening was full of beautiful surprises and shining moments. For Sweet Divide, they were joined on stage by Felix Holt on saxophone, adding an extra layer of soul to an already powerful song. The band’s musical chemistry was on full display as they seamlessly swapped instruments and roles throughout the set. In one of the night’s most memorable turns, Angela Gannon stepped into the spotlight for Throwing My Heart Away, captivating the crowd with her beautiful vocals, while Romeo Stodart supported on keys and harmonies. Later, Michelle Stodart took centre stage for her stunning song Ain’t No Woman, with Romeo jumping in on bass. In another surprising moment, the drummer stepped out from behind the kit to take centre stage with a harmonica, drawing huge cheers from the crowd and proving just how versatile and dynamic this band truly is.
The crowd followed their every move, silent, almost in awe, during the slow and emotional songs, then bursting into movement and cheers for crowd favorites like Forever Lost and Mornings Eleven. The energy in the room was radiant. You could see the joy in the band’s faces as they watched the crowd sing, sway, and dance, it was a night filled with love, connection, and genuine happiness.
Opening the show was Ailbhe Reddy, who delivered a beautifully raw set of alt-folk songs filled with emotion and honesty. Her lyrics landed deeply with the crowd, who stayed silent and tuned into every word, a rare and meaningful kind of respect that didn’t go unnoticed by the artist herself.
After 20 years, The Magic Numbers haven’t just endured, they’ve grown, evolved, and continued to bring light to every stage they step on. Sunday night proved their magic is still very much alive.
Ailbhe Reddy photos:
The Magic Numbers photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Wild Rose (Will Stratton song taped intro)
Forever Lost
Love’s a Game / People Get Ready
Take a Chance
Roy Orbison
I See You, You See Me
This Here Darkness
Shot in the Dark
Ain’t No Woman (Michele Stodart song)
Sweet Divide
Throwing My Heart Away
Love Me Like You
Encore:
Wheels on Fire
Harvest Moon (Neil Young song)
Mornings Eleven
Arrest the President (Ice Cube song taped outro)
Photos & words – Erica Keogh @ericasnapz