Live Report: Damien Dempsey at Electric Picnic 2024

Damien Dempsey delivered a performance of pure passion as Electric Picnic drew to a close on Sunday evening.

There’s something incredibly genuine about the Dubliner which makes it neigh-on impossible not to be drawn to him. Every note and heavy-wristed strum of his acoustic guitar radiates with authenticity. His lyrics are a direct line to the heart, resonating because they stem from his own lived experiences of hardship.

His catalogue is rife with anthemic choruses with sing-along appeal, ideal for the festival setting and allowing those who weren’t part of the hardcore Damo brigade to join in. Sonically speaking, the addition uilleann pipes and tin whistle brought a trad-infused, pub-like atmosphere, which was put on blast during a rollicking rendition of ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin.’

Damien Dempsey at Electric Picnic by Jason Doherty

As well as showcasing a proud connection to his roots, Dempsey’s music carries a universal message of unity which extends beyond these shores. This was evident in his performance of ‘Colony,’ an anti-racist and anti-colonial anthem, which he delivered with spitting intensity.

One of the most moving moments of the night came when the singer paid tribute to late heroes and friends Sinéad O’Connor, Christy Dignam, Shane MacGowan, and Seamus Begley via a heart-wrenching rendition of The Pogues’ ‘A Rainy Night in Soho’, which left a poignant feeling lingering long after the Dempsey and co left the stage.