Dublin City Council and Foggy Notions announce the first round of events for a week-long celebration of the Thin Lizzy frontman, running Monday September 28th to Sunday October 4th across the city.
MusicTown returns this year in a new format, dedicating its full week-long programme to Phil Lynott, marking 40 years since his death in 1986.
Running Monday September 28th to Sunday October 4th across various Dublin venues, the programme brings together screenings, live concerts, discussion panels and a four-day exhibition reflecting on Lynott’s life as a musician, songwriter, style icon and, as the festival’s framing puts it, a mixed-race kid who grew up in 1960s Dublin to become one of the city’s most beloved figures.
MusicTown curator Leagues O’Toole said a lot of care has gone into the programme’s curation with intent on it being not a straightforward rock and roll tribute:
“A Lot of love and attention to detail has gone into this programme with a carefully selected panel of curators and contributing artists. This isn’t just any old rock & roll tribute… this an intimate, interpretative and revealing reflection of a figure from Irish history who we have a deep collective affection for. We will reflect on his background, his talent, his diversity, his style, and his body of work, but also the fact that he was simultaneously a charismatic rock star and a lovable and relatable man of the people.”
Philo-Sophy Talks, a series of discussion panels curated by Fachtna O’Ceallaigh (Sinéad O’Connor, Boomtown Rats), runs across three dates at the National Concert Hall, free with tickets available first come first served from September 14th via nch.ie:
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- Monday September 28th, The Studio, 7pm – Young, Gifted, Gorm & Gaelach, featuring Emma Dabiri and Maureen Onwunali, on Lynott’s life as a mixed-race man in 1960s Dublin and his influence on Irish artists of colour since
- Tuesday September 29th, Kevin Barry Recital Room, 7pm – A Vagabond of the Western World, with Jim Fitzpatrick and Eamon Carr (Horslips) in conversation with historian Donal Fallon on Lynott’s early years and creative emergence
- Friday October 2nd, Kevin Barry Recital Room, 7pm – Look What the Wind Just Blew In, hosted by Fachtna O’Ceallaigh and Pat Neary, unveiling previously unheard four-track home recordings behind Jailbreak, unreleased 24-track studio recordings, and early demos co-written with Junior Giscombe.
Glasshouse presents Old Town: The Songs of Philip Lynott
Thursday October 1st, Main Stage, National Concert Hall, 7pm, tickets €25 from September 11th via nch.ie
The contemporary classical group take on Lynott’s solo albums Solo in Soho and The Philip Lynott Album, alongside selected Thin Lizzy songs, with guests SexyTadhg, Iona Lynch (The Cliffords, Lucia Rice (Last Apollo), Bob Reid Allen and Paddy Hanna.
Songs for While I’m Away
Sunday October 4th, Irish Film Institute, 1:30pm
A screening of Emer Reynolds’ documentary on Lynott, followed by a live interview with the director and comedian Killian Sunderman.
Lost Love of Romeo exhibition
Thursday October 1st to Sunday October 4th, Studio 10, Wicklow Street, free
A four-day exhibition curated by Aila Harryson Lorigan, blending iconic photography from Chalkie Davies and Eric Luke with personal, candid shots, fan memorabilia, and footage of Lynott’s pre-Thin Lizzy band The Black Eagles from childhood friend Michael O’Flanagan. Contributions also come from Thin Lizzy artist Jim Fitzpatrick.
More events are expected to be announced in the coming days. Follow @musictowndublin or visit musictown.ie for updates.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
