Live Report: Fred again.. lights up RDS Simmonscourt with star-studded performance

When Fred Again.. announced his Dublin gig mere days before the date, there was no doubt tickets would go fast. So fast, in fact, that they were sold out within 10 minutes of going live. This set expectations high for the show.

But if the London-born DJ knows one thing, it's how to exceed expectations not once but twice over. Or, perhaps, ten times over; his current USB002 project sees him visiting 10 cities around the world across ten weeks (revealing the location the weekend prior) and releasing new collaborative tracks along the way.

First was Glasgow, then Brussels, Madrid and Lyon. But Dublin felt different. This time was special.

As thousands of buzzing fans file into RDS Simmonscourt on a Saturday evening, security handed out stickers to cover phone cameras. The morning of the gig, Fred again.. explained on an Instagram story: "there's a level of togetherness we can get to when our cameras are away and we're all present. I really wanna create a space where we can all be under one roof together for a few hours." And, he added, the show would be professionally filmed. "We wanted to document one of these shows and, well, Dublin is the place to do it."

And from the start, it certainly was.

With two Grammy Awards, an array of internationally charted releases and over 18 million monthly listeners, Fred again.. could easily make himself the focus and his Irish fans certainly wouldn't complain. Instead, he leaned into the thriving Irish music scene.

His first opener was Dingle-born DJ Caolan Ryan, who delivered a mood-boosting set of garage-infused dance tracks. Ryan was preceded by Dublin's own EMA, founder of local label Woozy and champion of dub-heavy drum and bass sets. Her sound is hard-hitting and energizing, providing apt sonic contrast to what came next: FDC DJS, aka, Carlos O'Connell, Tom Coll and Conor Curley of Fontaines D.C..

Fontaines D.C. opening for Fred again.. at RDS Simmonscourt on November 1, 2025. Photo: Theo Batterham.

Exchanging their alternative rock affinities for atmospheric, moody electronic production, the Fontaines lads prepared an ambience, a tension through which the headliner could triumphantly emerge.

And triumphantly did he emerge.

It was clear from the start that Fred again..'s fondness for Dublin is more than talk. "I'll always come back to Dublin," he told the crowd. "There is nothing like this place."

The place, and the people. The show came off the back of the release of 'HARDSTYLE 2' the day prior, featuring Galway-born DJ Kettama and Aussie DIY project Shady Nasty.

Fred again.. performed 'HARDSTYLE 2' with vocals that seemed uniquely raw. The crowd erupted when Shady Nasty's Kevin Stathis emerged from behind Fred.

Fred again.. with Shady Nasty at RDS Simmonscourt on November 1, 2025. Photo: Theo Batterham.

That was far from the only surprise guest.

In a highlight of the show, Fred again.. told the crowd, "This is a new one" before launching into 'did it again', a yet-to-be-released track featuring Irish drill duo TraviS x elzzz (the former also known as Travy).

Travy and elzzz leapt up onto the platform in front of the decks to deliver a rowdy, fun-filled performance of the track to a chorus of cheers.

Fred again.. with TraviS & elzzz at RDS Simmonscourt on November 1, 2025. Photo: Theo Batterham.

'did it again' and 'Talk of the Town' — featuring UK DJ Sammy Virji and Dundalk rapper Reggie, released the following Monday — were both debuted on a Thursday night livestream with all collaborators gathered in Dublin.

Their chemistry was simply magic, in the studio and on stage. Something about Fred again..'s dance-driven tones lends fantastically to the Irish rappers' sharp lyricism and high-octane delivery.

Reggie, too, appeared on stage for a performance of 'Talk of the Town', an absolute firestorm of a track in top form live. Dressed in a special Dundalk FC jersey marked with "FRED" on the back, Reggie seized the spotlight, pulling Fred again.. up on the platform to dance with him.

Fred again.. with Reggie at RDS Simmonscourt on November 1, 2025. Photo: Theo Batterham.

In another sample of his latest work, he performed an early October release, 'You're a Star', featuring vocals from Amy of Amyl and the Sniffers.

Mind you, Amyl and the Sniffers are a more globally-known punk rock outfit hailing from Melbourne, Australia. They're not local rap talent like the previous performers.

So when Amy herself hopped up on stage in cat ears and tiger stripe tights, the crowd erupted in shouts of disbelief and cheers of excitement. The widest grin was from Fred himself, who looked absolutely thrilled while Amy danced and sang to 'You're a Star'.

Fred again.. with Amy of Amyl and the Sniffers at RDS Simmonscourt on November 1, 2025. Photo: Theo Batterham.

Fred again..'s beloved earlier work was not lost in the show. Crowd favourites included his 2023 single 'Leavemealone' and 2022 hit 'Delilah (Pull Me Out of This)', which earned a vast chorus of fans singing along to every word.

The excitement of the tracks was bolstered with the visuals: above the crowd was a vast draping of fabric, which sank down and floated up like the body of a jellyfish throughout the show.

It was a visual installation by Dutch artist Boris Acket, who is known for his dynamic, abstract creations that explore the interplay of sound, light and motion.

Fred again..'s tendency to shift between electronic sub-genres and undulate between ambient moods and intense energy was perfect for the kinetic installation.

Fred again.. at RDS Simmonscourt on November 1, 2025. Photo: Theo Batterham.

While many of his tracks were more on the high-octane side, the latter end of the show saw a more toned-down, emotive mood.

To lead into a brief pause before the encore, he played his collaborative track with Nigerian singer Obongjayar, 'adore you'.

"I adore you, Dublin!" Fred again.. exclaimed to a crowd that undoubtedly adored him too. Thousands shouted along to the lyrics: "I adore you and I pray you never lose your star, I'm so proud of all that you are."

For a breathtaking encore, he played an a capella recording of Dermot Kennedy's 'Lost'.

Taken by surprise at the sound of a beloved Irish vocalist, there were few voices in the crowd not singing along. After hours of electronic music, the authenticity of the track was the eye of the storm.

Fred again.. previously collaborated with Kennedy on the titlar track 'Dermot (see yourself in my eyes)', as well as collaborations with The Streets on Mike (Desert Island Duvet)' and Berwyn on 'Berwyn (All That I Got Is You)'.

He took a step away from behind the decks and sat cross-legged on stage to address the crowd. "I'll always come back to Dublin," he repeated, and after a set that highlighted the thriving talent of the Irish music scene, it hit even harder than the first time.

As he led out with 2023 track 'Strong', he encouraged the crowd to sing along: "You don't have to be so strong, don't go through it all alone."

For anyone who had yet to understand the impact that Fred again.. has had on the world of electronic music, the image in Dublin on the evening of November 1 made it crystal clear: the soft golden glow of the lights made tears of joy on the faces of the audience sparkle as Fred embraced each of his collaborators on stage.

Much of the audience stayed long after Fred again.. disappeared backstage. It's not hard to see why: there was an energy in RDS Simmonscourt like no other. An energy that will not soon be forgotten.