Fine Musical Servings on Arthur's Day 2010

The centre of the action was St. James' Gate, with Colin Murray and Gary Lightbody on hand at 1759 to raise a toast to Arthur. Snow Patrol played a semi-acoustic set which saw Our Thursdays winner Maud In Cahoots perform a stunning duet with Lightbody on 'Set The Fire To The Third Bar'. A typically energised set from Manic Street Preachers was an inevitable highlight.

Over at the Olympia, Dave Peyton and The Chapters got proceedings under way with a bang. Cathy Davey appeared earlier than expected, putting on a great evening show that took in songs from throughout her career.

Clash Legend Mick Jones then pitched up on stage with his band Carbon/Silicon, running through a blistering set. A finale singalong of 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' was the cherry on the cake.

The main Olympia draw was delayed, but when he turned up it all became apparent why there were so many screaming girls in the audience. They must have known something we didn't - Paolo Nutini was playing. Dublin's own Imelda May was then on hand to close the show.
The Academy played host to Plan B, Jose Gonzalez and solo Killer Brandon Flowers, whilst The Courteneers and The Maccabees rocked Vicar Street.

As was the case last year, most of the fun was to be had around the pubs and smaller venues where a host of surprise guests kept the Arthur's Day celebrations going on till late into the night. Manic Street Preachers stormed Sinnotts, The Script delighted the Bruxelles crowd and Brandon Flowers was first to take to the Whelans stage.

The festivities were by no means restricted to Dublin. In Cork, Imelda May performed a secret lunchtime gig in The Old Oak while Paolo Nutini played at Crane Lane. David Gray performed at The Roisin Dubh in his second home of Galway.

Roll on Arthur's Day 2011...