Live Report: Damien Dempsey brings power and passion to Dublin’s Docklands for Windmill Live

From bare, intimate stages, to raucous, euphoria-fuelled rooms, Damien Dempsey has always occupied space in a wonderfully unique way as a performer – making his presence felt throughout a venue with a combination of raw power, profound vulnerability, and Dublin-forged charm.

Last night, that energy was taken to a place that was entirely new, but no less potent – as the Donaghmede singer-songwriter took over the Townhall at 1WML, in the heart of the Windmill QTR, for the latest instalment in the acclaimed Windmill Live gig series, presented by Hot Press.

Like many of the previous acts in the series – including James Vincent McMorrow, Hothouse Flowers, Lisa Hannigan, The Coronas, LYRA and more – Damien has, over the course of a remarkable few decades, established himself as a vital force in Irish music, inspiring a fanbase that spans generations and genres. That brilliantly eclectic mix turned out in their droves for the Windmill Live show – which, following an introduction by MC Stuart Clark of Hot Press, kicked off with a powerful special guest performance from local artist Conor Hamilton.

Conor Hamilton at Windmill Live

Known for his work with the band Motion Control, in addition to his solo career, Conor’s set was a captivating showcase of an artist who has been putting in the hard graft for years now. Following in the fine Irish singer-songwriter tradition, while also incorporating heavier, rock-oriented influences, his personality-packed performance was full of the gritty emotion and soaring energy he’s become known for on the live circuit.

With the strikingly-lit Townhall space suitably warmed up, Damo and his band took to the stage, instantly commanding the absolute attention of the crowd – made up of devoted fans and curious new-comers alike – with ‘Almighty Love’.

Damien Dempsey at Windmill Live

From the reggae touches of ‘Negative Vibes’, to the raw folk roots of ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin’, his power over the room was immense – with the set once again highlighting his ability to move effortlessly between the poignant (‘Chris & Stevie’, dedicated last night to the late Graham 'Milky' Mitchell) and the exhilarating.

The unique nature of the one-off gig also inspired a mix of beloved fan favourites and newer material from his latest album, Hold Your Joy – complete with the soul-stirring harmonies of the title track.

As Damo has previously discussed, every time he steps foot onstage, his main goal is to bring the energy of "a big singsong" to the venue – "because there's fierce healing in a singsong." Although the surroundings of the Windmill QTR might have been new for his Dublin fans, they embraced the stunning space with as much energy and passion as you'd find at his biggest sold-out shows – belting out every line of  tracks like 'Colony' and 'Sing All Our Cares Away', with a palpable sense of catharsis and release felt right around the room in return.

Damien Dempsey at Windmill Live

Of course, when it comes to singsongs, nothing compares to 'It's All Good', his essential set-closer. From its simple yet striking depiction of the trauma, anger and shame that's been passed down through generations of Irish people, to its rousing call for positivity, it remains the purest distillation of Damo's mission and worldview – something the audience clung to long after he and his band departed the stage for the last time, repeating the song's iconic outro on into the night: "Love yourself today..."

It was yet another Windmill Live show to be treasured – celebrating one of modern Irish music's greatest heroes, and his powerful bond with his fans, in a spectacular setting in the heart of the Windmill QTR.

Hold Your Joy is out now.