50 years since the Beatles played Dublin
The Dublin Beatles Festival this week celebrates the 50th anniversary of the only Republic of Ireland performances of the world’s most influential rock group with a packed four-day programme of over 20 Irish and international tribute bands, contemporary musicians, plays, walks, talks, art, memorabilia and lots more in six city-centre venues.
The Beatles played only two gigs in Dublin, both on Thursday 7 November 1963 at the Adelphi Cinema, Middle Abbey Street (now Arnotts Goods Inwards). Beatlemania was brand new and no-one had anticipated the frenzy their Dublin appearance would result in. Nothing like this had ever been seen here before. This realisation of an emerging youth culture in Ireland brought with it a sense of new possibilities. The Beatles continue to inspire millions of people worldwide and the Dublin Beatles Festival celebrates their music and influence across fashion, film, art and design with a diverse programme that will appeal to Beatles fans, and to all those who appreciate quality music and performance.
Highlights include:
Contemporary Irish performers O Emperor, The iKonics, The Gandhis and Vyvienne Long performing never before seen covers of their favourite Beatles songs.
Exhibition of the only surviving full set of Beatles performance suits in Arnotts (on loan from Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons) and recreation of 1963 concert signage on Middle Abbey Street.
John Lennon’s Original Quarrymen, Lennons’ first band joined by Paul McCartney and George Harrison and which evolved into The Beatles, in conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea (Irish Times) in the Gresham Hotel and performing at Sadie Saturday in the Grand Social.
Irish tribute bands including the cast of Get Back – The Story of The Beatles, Beatles for Sale, The Newspaper Taxi Men, The Rockets and skiffle band The Louisiana 6; International Beatles festival favourites including Revolver from Scotland, and in their debut Irish performances, Johnny and the Moondogs, all-female Liverpudlian group The Beatelles, and the Choking Smokers from France.
Free walking tours taking in the venues The Beatles visited and sharing memories from 7th November 1963.
Author of the ‘bible’ of The Beatles performances and encounters in Ireland in 1963, Colm Keane, in conversation with Tom Dunne (Newstalk) including free copy of The Beatles: Irish Concertsat the Grand Social.
Memorabilia, vintage and record fairs offering free valuations with Beatles Days from the UK.
Keep up to date on Festival news on www.dublinbeatlesfestival.com, Facebook (DublinBeatlesFestival) and Twitter (@DubBeatlesFest / #DBF).
Venues
City-centre Festival venues include The Gresham Hotel, where The Beatles stayed on 7 November 1963, the Grand Social, the Workman’s Club, Twisted Pepper, Cassidy’s Hotel, the Oval Bar and Filmbase.
Tickets
Dublin Beatles Festival tickets are on sale now on www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival. Tickets for individual events range from €5 to €20.
LISTINGS
Thursday 7 November
MUSIC
Opening Chords
Featuring the cast of the hit show Get Back – The Story of The Beatles performing the original set of songs played by The Beatles in Dublin; and Vyvienne Long and Jonathan Ward performing evocative Beatle covers.
6.00pm-8.00pm | The Ballroom, Gresham Hotel, O’Connell Street | €15 www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
The Beatles at the Oval
On 7 November 1963 John Lennon and Ringo Starr enjoyed a quick pint in The Oval. 50 years later, enjoy a line-up of live Beatles music from some of the best musicians around.
9.30pm-Til late | The Oval, Middle Abbey Street | Free
WALK
Walk The Beatles
Taking in the city-centre venues visited by The Beatles on 7 November 1963, guide Terry Saunders will share the stories of that culture-shifting night. Includes live music by top performers in three venues.
Weather dependent. Limited availability. Register in advance by emailing dublinbeatlesfestival@gmail.com.
8.15pm-9.15pm | Depart Gresham Hotel, O’Connell Street | Free
Friday 8 November
MUSIC
Fab Friday
Contemporary and tribute bands, DJs, art and memorabilia across four areas. Two live stages. Music includes: Revolver (Scotland), The Beatelles (England), Beatles for Sale (Ireland), The Gandhis (Ireland), The iKonics (Ireland), The Newspaper Taxi Men and The Rockets (Ireland). DJs: Jacqui Carroll (Ready, Steady, Go) and ShotGun! Art: Graphite Beatles artist Georgina Flood (Ireland) creating a new Beatles portrait live. Memorabilia: Beatles Days (England).
7.00pm-2.30am | The Grand Social, Lower Liffey Street | €20 | www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
MARKET
Music, CD & Record Fair
Vinyl, CD, DVD and Memorabilia Fair –browse, buy, sell and exchange. With ‘pop-up’ live Beatles performances. In association with Irish Record Fairs.
5.00pm-9.00pm | Filmbase, Curved Street | Free to Dublin Beatles Festival ticket holders/€3 for 3 days
Saturday 9 November
MUSIC
Sadie Saturday
Contemporary and tribute bands, DJs, art and memorabilia across four areas. Two live stages. Music includes: John Lennon’s Original Quarrymen (England), The Choking Smokers (France), Johnny and the Moondogs (England), O Emperor (Ireland) and The Louisiana 6 (Ireland). DJs: Rob Smith (Hot Press) and ShotGun! Art: Graphite Beatles artist Georgina Flood (Ireland) creating a new Beatles portrait live. Memorabilia: Beatles Days (England).
7.00pm-2.30am | The Grand Social, Lower Liffey Street | €20 | www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
THEATRE
The Beatle Plays | Lennon v McCartney and John Lennon’s Last Day by Stephen Kennedy
Lennon v McCartney: Take your side. Who is greater – John Lennon or Paul McCartney? This short play definitively sorts out the old argument once and for all. Well ... sort of. Performed by James Murphy and Jonathan Judge.
John Lennon’s Last Day: A powerful docu-theatre piece featuring Seamus Brennan as the Narrator with projections and rare audio clips for an immersive journey through the strange and tragic events of John Lennon's last day.
12.30pm-1.30pm | Twisted Pepper, Middle Abbey Street | €10 | www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
WALK
Walk The Beatles
Taking in the city-centre venues visited by The Beatles on 7 November 1963, guide Terry Saunders will share the stories of that culture-shifting night.
Weather dependent. Limited availability – register in advance by emailing dublinbeatlesfestival@gmail.com.
1.00pm-2.00pm | Depart the Oval, Middle Abbey Street | Free
TALKS
Talk The Beatles | John Lennon’s Original Quarrymen in conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea (Irish Times)
John Lennon’s first band formed in Liverpool in 1956-57, which evolved into The Beatles in 1960. Hear about those heady days and ask your own questions.
2.00pm-3.00pm | The O’Sullivan Suite, Gresham Hotel, O’Connell Street | €5 | www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
Talk The Beatles | Beatles Author Colm Keane in conversation with Tom Dunne (Newstalk)
Colm Keane’s book The Beatles: Irish Concerts is considered the 'bible' of The Beatles concerts and encounters in Ireland in 1963. Ticket price includes a copy of The Beatles: Irish Concerts.
3.30pm-4.30pm | The O’Sullivan Suite, Gresham Hotel, O’Connell Street | €8 | www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
MARKETS
Music, CD & Record Fair
Vinyl, CD, DVD and Memorabilia Fair –browse, buy, sell and exchange. Free valuations with Beatles Days. Live music performances. In association with Irish Record Fairs.
10.30am-6.00pm | Filmbase, Curved Street | Free to Dublin Beatles Festival ticket holders / €2 for 2 days
Ha’penny Flea Market
Beatles Days, Vintage Men and Women’s Clothes, Contemporary Crafts, Books, Vinyl Records, Vintage and Handmade Jewellery, Vintage Hair Styles, Art, and Photography. Free valuations of your vinyl, CDs and Beatles memorabilia. Live Beatles music performances.
12.00pm-6.00pm | Grand Social, Lower Liffey Street | Free
Sunday 10 November
MUSIC
Get Back: The Story of The Beatles
Charting the most important moments in the Beatles’ career to show how their music often followed the personal journey of the band, Get Back: The Story of The Beatles sets out to put you in the crucial moments in the Beatles’ musical journey. In association with the Dublin Beatles Festival.
7.30pm | Olympia Theatre, Dame Street | €25 | www.getbackshow.com
Strawberry Sunday
Featuring international festival favourites Revolver (Scotland) and Johnny and the Moondogs (England), don't miss this rousing Festival finale!
8.00pm-11.30pm | The Workman’s Club, Wellington Quay | €12 | www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
THEATRE
The Beatle Plays | Lennon v McCartney and John Lennon’s Last Day by Stephen Kennedy
Lennon v McCartney: Take your side. Who is greater – John Lennon or Paul McCartney? This short play definitively sorts out the old argument once and for all. Well ... sort of. Performed by James Murphy and Jonathan Judge.
John Lennon’s Last Day: A powerful docu-theatre piece featuring Seamus Brennan as the Narrator with projections and rare audio clips for an immersive journey through the strange and tragic events of John Lennon's last day.
12.30pm-1.30pm | Twisted Pepper, Middle Abbey Street | €10 | www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
QUIZ
The Ultimate Beatles Quiz
Funny, entertaining and baffling questions compiled by our resident Beatlemaniac, devised to appeal to Beatle beginners, radio-sing-alongers, and dedicated diehards for perfect Sunday afternoon entertainment.
2.15pm-5.00pm | The Workman’s Club, Wellington Quay | €40 for team of 4 | www.entertainment.ie/dublinbeatlesfestival
MARKET
Music, CD & Record Fair
Vinyl, CD, DVD and Memorabilia Fair –browse, buy, sell and exchange. Free valuations with Beatles Days. Live music performances. In association with Irish Record Fairs.
10.30am-6.00pm | Filmbase, Curved Street | Free to Dublin Beatles Festival ticket holders / €2