Hot Press's History In The Making: The Concert – Meet The Star-Studded Line-Up

With Hot Press beginning its 50th anniversary festivities, we wanted to kick off the celebrations with a bang – and thus we have announced History In The Making: The Concert, a genuine landmark in Irish music history, which finds legends across a range of genres and eras celebrating the magazine’s extraordinary history, as well as its ongoing dedication to high quality coverage of music, culture and politics.

Taking place in 3Arena, Dublin on Friday, February 6, the extraordinary line-up covers the full spectrum of Irish music, with legends such as Van Morrison, The Boomtown Rats, The Frames and Noel and Mike Hogan of The Cranberries standing shoulder to shoulder with a younger generation of artists, including Dermot Kennedy, Imelda May, Picture This, Denise Chaila and more, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the cream of Ireland’s musical talent together on one-stage.

It genuinely will be an evening talked about for years to come – so fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an unforgettable night of action.

Van Morrison

One of the most revered artists in music history, Van spectacularly announced his solo arrival with the 1968 masterpiece Astral Weeks, and has sealed his place in the pantheon with a string of further classics, including Saint Dominic’s Preview, Veedon Fleece, Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart, Irish Heartbeat and Days Like This.

Beloved of everyone from Bob Dylan and Jimmy Page to Patti Smith and Elvis Costello, and an artist whose music has soundtracked numerous iconic moments in The Sopranos and multipe Scorsese movies, Van The Man is the embodiment of the phrase “living legend”. One of the moments that perhaps best sums up his status came in 2007, when he was given the Oscar Wilde: Honouring Irish Writing In Film award (one of a plethora major honours the singer has received, including the Freedom of Belfast).

Marking Morrison’s contribution to over 50 films, the award was presented by Al Pacino, who compared the singer to Wilde, describing them as “both visionaries who push boundaries”. As well as his recorded output, Van is also celebrated for his sublimely entertaining, moving and inspirational live shows, ensuring fans are in for a treat at History In The Making.

The Boomtown Rats

Punk legends The Boomtown Rats exploded to prominence with their self-titled debut in 1977, quickly earning a devoted following for their mix of thumping anthems and biting social commentary. They also attracted plenty of attention for the provocative interviews from frontman Bob Geldof, whose remarkable standing in music, culture and activism was again highlighted last year, with the 40th anniversary of Live Aid.

Across albums like A Tonic For The Troops, The Fine Art Of Surfacing and Mondo Bongo, the Rats showed a unique flair for sharp lyrics and memorable melodies, yielding numerous classic hits, including the back to back UK No.1s, ‘Rat Trap’ and ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’. A briliantly uproarious live act, the group should deliver a typically barnstorming set at 3Arena.

“We grew up together, Hot Press and the Rats,” Bob Geldof commented in a statement to mark the concert. “Hot Press has never stopped tracking – and promoting – the flow of musical, political and intellectual ideas of the country. It has constantly encouraged every new band with something to say. It has baptised them and sent them on their way.”

The Frames

Debuting in 1991 with the album Another Love Song, The Frames’ legend grew courtesy of landmark LPs like Fitzcarraldo, Dance The Devil and For The Birds. Fronted by Oscar winner Glen Hansard, over the years, the band have become one of the most beloved Irish acts, with their shows frequently unforgettable affairs.

The Frames celebrated their 30th anniversary in style in 2022, with the festivities including a barnstorming hometown show at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Specialising in an impassioned, soul-stirring brand of rock, the group boast numerous classic tracks in their repertoire, including ‘Revelate’, ‘Lay Me Down’ and ‘Star Star’. Further bolstering their appeal, Hansard is widely recognised as a uniquely gifted songwriter, with that Oscar win under his belt for the Once track ‘Falling Slowly’, performed with Marketa Irglova – with whom he plays in The Swell Season – while he has also released a string of acclaimed solo albums, most recently 2023’s All That Was East Is West Of Me Now. It all promises to make for a typically epic performance when The Frames hit 3Arena.

Noel and Mike Hogan

Brothers Noel and Mike Hogan formed one half of The Cranberries, the Limerick icons who shot to global stardom with their early triptych of Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, No Need To Argue and To The Faithful Departed. Having only performed sparingly since the untimely passing of Dolores O’Riordan in 2018, this promises to be a very special performance from Noel and Mike, with The Cranberries’ canon to draw on – which, of course, features numerous enduring classics.

In another memorable Irish musical moment, the Hogan brothers, backed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, performed a set of Cranberries classics at last September’s Electric Picnic, with Dublin star Dermot Kennedy handling vocal duties. For Cranberries fans and Irish rock aficionados, the Hogans’ appearance is a unique moment not to be missed.

Credit: Silken Weinberg

Dermot Kennedy

Hailing from Rathcoole in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, Dermot Kennedy was the Irish music success story of the 2010s. He began by busking in Dublin City as a teenager, and was invited to open for Glen Hansard, whom he impressed during a Christmas Eve busk off Grafton Street.

Kennedy’s moment came in 2018, as his mountain-moving single ‘Power Over Me’ blasted its way into charts across the world. Since then the trajectory has only been going in one direction. His two LPs Without Fear and Sonder earned the No.1 spot in Ireland and the UK. The ‘why?’ behind his success lies in emotional songwriting, and a towering voice that has never shied away from letting the Irish inflections cut through.  Of late, Kennedy’s mission statement has extended to spreading the gospel of his nation’s music across the globe. His Misneach Festival, taking place last March, provided a platform for young and established Irish musicians at events in Boston and Sydney. His new LP The Weight Of The Woods has just been announced.

Damien Dempsey

Affectionately referred to by his adoring fans as ‘Damo’, this singer-songwriter has fastened much of his reputation on a unique ability to create a wonderful, quasi-religious atmosphere during live shows.  Originating from Donaghmede in North Dublin, his 1997 single ‘Dublin Town’ announced Dempsey as a voice for disaffected youth. His 2000 debut album They Don’t Teach This Shit In School was followed by the epic Seize The Day, with powerful songs delivered with a distinct Dublin accent. He’s released 9 LPs since, including a hat-trick of platinum-selling efforts between 2003-2007. His most recent full-length, 2024’s Hold Your Joy, was another mighty effort.  That said, fans attest to the fact that Dempsey is transcendent in the flesh, thanks to his mastery of forging a connection between crowd and stage to create ‘big singsongs’. Thousands are drawn to his shows each year, and his annual stint at Vicar Street has become a fixture in the festive calendar.

Imelda May

Imelda May’s breakthrough came in 2008 with her rockabilly revivalist LP Love Tattoo, which became the bestselling album by an Irish female solo artist of all time. The Liberties native has released five studio albums since (four of which reached No.1), expanding her sound to incorporate soul, folk and spoken-word.

Along with her chart success, career highlights include performing at the Grammy Awards with Jeff Beck, her own TV show, and a myriad of industry awards. She’ll be feeling at home when she takes to the stage at the 3Arena, considering it’s the same venue where she enjoyed a pair of sold-out gigs in 2011 (during which she joined for a surprise duet by Bono). Away from music, May’s 2021 poem ‘You Don’t Get To Be Racist And Irish’ proved a powerful statement in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. She’s also been an advocate for the Irish language, documenting her experience learning Sean Nos singing on RTÉ series Amhráin na nGael.

Clannad

Few acts adorning the tapestry of Irish music come more mythical than this Gweedore-formed outfit. Founded back in 1970, Clannad are world-renowned for blending trad with contemporary sounds, earning a Grammy in 1999, and bringing Irish language to global audiences through their ethereal approach to Celtic music.

Built around a sibling core of Ciarán, Moya and Pól Brennan, they’ve sold over 20 million records worldwide, and have a Bafta, Ivor Novello Award and a Billboard Music Award to go along with their Grammy. They concluded their 50-year career with a series of final concerts, wrapping up their touring life at the Royal Albert Hall in London in October 2024 – making their upcoming appearance at History In The Making all the more unmissable.

Picture This

“Take my hand,” crooned Ryan Hennessy into his iPhone in 2015, sharing the recording with pal Jimmy Rainsford. The pair later made a proper version of the song, posted it to YouTube and the rest, as they say, is history.  That’s how it all began for these Athy pop favourites, who, with the addition of Owen Cardiff and Cliff Deane to the line-up, have gone on to enjoy a stellar career. Each of their four albums has seen the band evolve their slick, radio-ready sound towards more widescreen indie-pop efforts, like their 2024 LP Parked Car Conversations. They’ve also proven to be live favourites, playing festival main stages, headlining massive outdoor gigs, and becoming the first band to sell out 3Arena for five consecutive shows in 2019.

Florence Road

Named after a thoroughfare in their native Bray, this quartet established themselves as one of Irish rock’s brightest prospects with last year’s Fall Back, an all killer, zero filler mixtape co-produced by Kylie, Chappell Roan, Dermot Kennedy, Lorde and Olivia Rodrigo man Dan Nigro.
As formidable live as they are in the studio, Lily Aron, Emma Brandon, Ailbhe Barry and Hannah Kelly gave the aforementioned Ms. Rodrigo a serious run for her money when they opened for her in Dublin and London, and also impressed as special guests to Sombr and Wolf Alice, who they’ve formed a mutual admiration society with. Give it 12 months and this issue’s Hot Press cover stars will be back at the 3Arena headlining!

Denise Chaila

A rapper, singer, poet and social activist, Denise hit the heights with 2019’s Duel Citizenship, a stunning debut with important things to say about multicultural Ireland. More truths were spoken when the Limerick artist made a landmark appearance on the Late Late Show, and released her Go Bravely mixtape.

Currently working on exciting new material, Denise’s remarkable journey has also included a run of Ed Sheeran supports; a trip to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet President Michael D. Higgins, which was documented in these pages; and having incredibly nice things said about her on the radio by Cillian Murphy.

Belters Only

From humble beginnings running their own club night in The Grand Social – the queues kept getting longer and longer – Dublin duo Belters Only – comprising the brilliant Bissett and Robbie G – have helped bring about a revolution in Irish dance music with floor-fillers that routinely register tens of millions of online plays. Among their proudest moments is scoring a No. 1 hit on both sides of the Irish Sea with ‘Make Me Feel Good’, which featured longtime collaborator Jazzy. Committed to the Nth degree, they launched We Are Active Records, releasing a series of superb Dublin house singles. Their Longitude sets are the stuff of legend – as will be their taking to the decks in the 3Arena!

Irish Women In Harmony

Brought together during Covid by RuthAnne Cunningham, a stellar performer and supplier of hits for the likes of Britney Spears, One Direction and JoJo, this brilliant Irish collective scored an Irish No. 1 at the first time of asking in 2020, with their remarkable cover of The Cranberries’ ‘Dreams’. Operating in various permutations since, they sold out wherever they went last year with The Great Irish Songbook, which they’ll be dipping into again in the 3Arena.

Michael D. Higgins
with Myles O’Reilly

One of the most brilliant and influential voices in Irish culture and political life over the past six decades – cue The Saw Doctors’ ‘Michael D. Rockin’ In The Dáil’– the 9th President of Ireland last year scored a top 3 hit here with his Against All Certainty album.

A collection of his poems set to music by electronic musician Myles O’Reilly, it’s full of warmth, wit and insight into both his own life and those of others who’ve creatively inspired him. Prior to that, Michael D. hit the bestsellers list with his Power To The People gathering together of the incisive columns he wrote for Hot Press. He’s some man for one man!

• History In The Making: The Concert tickets are available from ticketmaster.ie – follow hotpress.com for more tasty additions to the line-up!