Hot Press has learned with great sadness of the death of John Reynolds. The man who founded the POD, John was one of Ireland’s leading promoters, who this year launched the All Together Now festival, which was widely acclaimed.

The shocking news has devastated the music community, with friends privately sharing what is a major body-blow to the industry here. A short statement has been issued tonight by his family.

"It is with great sadness that the Reynolds family confirm the sudden death of John Reynolds of POD this evening,” the statement said. "John aged 52 years, who was one of Ireland’s leading independent festival and concert promoters, died suddenly at his home in Milltown, Dublin.”

The cause of his death is unknown.

The terrible news comes on the eve of POD Concerts’ Metropolis Festival, which is scheduled for this coming weekend. However, the statement issued by his family stresses that the festival will go ahead as planned on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October in the RDS, Dublin.

“I have known John for many years,” said Hot Press editor Niall Stokes. “He was extraordinarily energetic and driven. He loved music and he loved being a promoter. He was always full of ideas. That was reflected in the imagination and originality that he brought to everything he did, and in particular to the challenge of creating great festivals. He was a huge personality and he had achieved extraordinary things over the years. As one of the most courageous and independent thinkers in the music game, his loss will be deeply felt. This is genuinely a tragic and heart-breaking moment.”

John’s family had a background in music in Longford, where he grew up. He first made his name as the founder of the POD nightclub and from there he established himself as one of the leading lights in Irish management and promotion. He was involved in the launch of Boyzone with Louis Walsh and subsequently invested in Bellefire, the all-girl proteges of Louis Walsh who failed to catch fire.

He was the brains behind the original Electric Picnic, and he was in charge of the development of the festival over its initial ten years. However, following financial difficulties, ownership of the event transferred to Festival Republic. He also ran Forbidden Fruit, one of Dublin’s most successful festival events and had helped to launch the Body and Soul Festival. He subsequently unveiled Metropolis Festival in the RDS. and had added All Together Now to his suite of events this year.

“Life is extraordinarily cruel,” Niall Stokes added. “It didn’t matter how tough things had been, I always enjoyed sitting down with John. He loved football and chatting about Leeds United and Hot Press Munchengladbach – with whom he had played along the way. But more than anything he loved being such a central part of music in Ireland. He will be missed. Rest in peace."