Mary Black, The Waterboys and more to pay tribute to Noel Bridgeman at Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre

A host of incredible Irish musicians have been announced for 'Remembering Noel Bridgeman: 1946-2021' at the 3Olympia Theatre on Thursday, May 4th 2023.

Mary Black, Steve Wickham, Mike Scott (the original Waterboys line-up), Brush Shiels, Colm Wilkinson, Mik Pyro and more will take to the stage to honour "The Drummer's Drummer", who passed away in March 2021.

All proceeds will go towards Saint Francis Hospice Raheny and Blanchardstown, and the show will also include an appearance from Audrey Bridgeman, who released her hugely impressive album Fire In Your Soul earlier this year.

Having emerged during the Irish beat boom of the 1960s, Noel went on to become one of the greatest ever Irish drummers, a legend in his own studio time. During the late 1960s, he was a member of Skid Row, holding down the rhythm alongside Brush Shiels on bass – in a band that also for a time featured Philip Lynott on lead vocals and Gary Moore on guitar. Noel had a long and industrious career, working with many of the leading lights of modern Irish music, operating both as a studio session hand and a live maestro, including alongside Mary Black, Christy Moore, Brush Shiels and The Waterboys.

Jackson Browne, Sharon Shannon, Steve Earle, Van Morrison, Mick Hanley, Donal Lunny, The Corrs, The Chieftains and Paul Brady were also known to have recorded with the talented musician. His legacy lives on.

Tickets for 'Remembering Noel Bridgeman' go on sale this Friday, December 2nd for €30 including booking fee.

At the time of his tragic death last March, which was announced on Twitter by his close friend and collaborator Mike Scott, Hot Press editor Niall Stokes paid tribute.

I'm very sorry to say the drummer Noel Bridgeman, one of Dublin's greatest-ever musicians, and a great Waterboy, passed away this morning after a short battle with cancer. He taught me so much. A pioneer, a gentleman and a great spirit. Travel on well, my friend. #NoelBridgeman pic.twitter.com/pWOJkKS71I

— Mike Scott (@MickPuck) March 23, 2021

“He was a brilliant musician," he wrote. "And he was also a lovely guy. He was a real, genuine Dub, and a man who never lost touch with those roots. Noel was the embodiment of that line of John Lennon’s: ‘A working class hero is something to be’. He was that and more.

“Noel was a special player, even if he never flaunted it. He had that thing, which only great drummers enjoy, of being able to nail a groove in a way that gives everyone else who’s playing a platform to build on and a foil to work off. Noel could play anything, from soul and Motown through rock ’n’ roll and the blues to country music and Irish folk. I know that the sad news of his loss will have people searching through their collections to hear his great work again.

“As one of the original rock ’n’ roll gang who began the process of properly changing the template for musicians in Ireland, we owe Nollaig – and those he worked with – a huge debt. He was an inspiration for so many, through all the musical changes and adventures of the past 50 years. Noel will be sadly missed by everyone who worked with him on the scene. But his work and his music will live on."