Now four years young, Arthur’s Day has become something of a national institution, with the customary 17:59 toast representing not just a tribute to Arthur Guinness but the kick-off whistle on a night jam-packed with music and celebration.
This year, perhaps more than ever before, the emphasis was on the surprise aspect of just where the assembled acts would pop up. With the rumour mill in overdrive, it was left to chance for many a punter – would Emeli Sandé materialise in a crammed speakeasy? Could the legendary Bobby Womack really be performing with a full band a mere thirty minutes after the first glasses were raised? And, having conquered Dublin just one week prior, surely the Manic Street Preachers would rove further afield – but where?
All those questions and a great deal more were answered over the course of a fine evening’s music that brought Ms Sandé and Bobby Womack to Dakota alongside rising Irish band Bouts; a night of rí rá agus ruaille buaille that saw The Script enjoy a transcendent homecoming alongside Australian sensation Iggy Azeala in the intimate confines of Whelan’s; and an occasion that nearly ended up with Biffy Clyro and their fans going through the floor in Belfast.
As ever, that was just the tip of the Arthur’s Day iceberg. Read on for the pick of the action...

Kodaline Guinness Storehouse, Dublin

Taking to the Guinness Storehouse stage like veterans, Kodaline performed with the assured confidence of a band at the tail-end of a successful string of summer gigs across Europe’s biggest festivals.
Their music works well, if not even better, in an intimate setting such as the Guinness Storehouse. Spirits were high amongst the large, supportive crowd as the Swords outfit treated the audience to a selection of their best known tracks. The half-hour set included hit singles such as ‘Love Like This’ and ‘Brand New Day’ from debut album In A Perfect World. The band opted for an acoustic set-up, all four members pitching in on vocals to achieve the strong soulful harmonies they are quickly becoming known for.
The atmosphere was tingling, with onlookers apparently more than happy to linger all day – and indeed, they might well have done, were it not for lead singer Steve Garrigan announcing that they were off to the next venue to continue the celebrations! Calls from the audience to point them in the right direction were diplomatically refused, the lead singer insisting that letting people in on the secret would “ruin the surprise”...

Bobby Womack Dakota, Dublin
All in black to mark the occasion, the legendary Bobby Womack cut a cool figure, ensuring that the night got off to the right start at Dakota. Visibly enjoying himself, Womack asked onlookers: “Does anybody feel like they are gonna make love tonight?”
The tone for the even ing had been set. They don’t come much more acclaimed than Womack – a man who has seen both triumph and tragedy over a 50-year career. With a full band, including brass section and gospel-style backing vocals, this was classic soul in a perfect club setting, and the crowd (which included Cabinet Minister Leo Varadkar) roared their appreciation from the moment he hit the stage.
Opening with arguably his best known hit ‘Across 110th Street’, as famously featured on the Jackie Brown soundtrack, Womack immediately proved that his distinctive vocals and range are still fully intact all these years on, while his passionate delivery was hugely impressive for a man nearing 70. Other highlights included the sensuous ‘Woman’s Gotta Have It' and he hit a dance groove on ’80s hit ‘I Wish He Didn’t Trust Me So Much’.
His more recent collaboration with Damon Albarn, The Bravest Man In The Universe, struck a familiar chord among the younger contingent, the deep bass rattling the walls. He even did his own version of ‘It’s All Over Now’, the song he wrote in the early 1960s, which was later covered by the Rolling Stones. The posssibility of getting up close to a legend is what Arthur’s Day is all about. This was one of the great ones...