Live Report: Matt Berninger brings brooding baritone to inaugural Live at Castle Mills series

The debut of Live at Castle Mills delivered what it promised: a boutique, "comfort-first" music festival experience, without the typical outdoor-gig endurance test. Tucked away in a riverside parkland just a five-minute walk from Kilkenny’s city centre, the two-day event matched glorious mid-twenties weather with an exceptional, zero-filler lineup.

The true star of the weekend was the venue itself. Organisers transformed a hidden, riverside field along the Canal Walk into an incredibly picturesque concert site bordered by mature trees and the River Nore.

Centred around an elegant, sheltered "big top" tent, the site felt exclusive but remained highly functional. Because it is city-centric, it bypassed the logistics of remote field festivals, meaning attendees could easily walk back to Kilkenny's local pubs and hotels afterwards. The addition of a curated, cashless food tent by Medley Events serving high-end global street food elevated it well above standard fare.

After John Lydon and Public Image Ltd. headlined the opening night with a magnificent show, it was time for The National’s Matt Berninger to bring his solo show to the picturesque setting. It proved to be an evening marked by stunning intimacy, sudden bursts of chaotic energy, and exceptional sonic clarity.

Local power-pop legends Engine Alley kicked off the second evening turning back the years to their heyday in the 90s. Within minutes of coming on stage the tent quickly filled due in no small way to the theatrical, high-energy, and highly visual antics of lead singer Canice Kenealy.

They were followed by an a spellbinding set from folk singer Lisa O'Neill, whose raw vocal delivery and stark storytelling cast a quiet spell over the early arrivals.

Lisa O'Neill opening for Matt Berninger at Live At Castle Mills, Kilkenny. Photo: Trevor McGrath.

But it was Berninger’s singular, chaotic stage presence that truly elevated the evening. Touring behind his acclaimed second solo album Get Sunk, his performance was an exercise in bridging the gap between intimacy and punk-adjacent theatricality.

Backed by a lean, meticulous ensemble featuring Julia Laws (Ronboy) on keys/vocals and Sean O'Brien on guitar, the music was beautiful, highlighted - but not overpowered - by Sterling Laws signature drumming. What makes Berninger such a captivating live force is his refusal to stay behind the mic stand. True to form, bard of indie-sadness treated the tent like a punk basement. Armed with an unshakeable intensity, he clambered down from the stage, gripping the hands of stunned fans, and screaming lyrics into the faces of the front row.

The crowd reached fever pitch when Berninger dipped into The National’s catalog. By the time he closed the evening with the gorgeous, bittersweet architecture of 'Light Years', Berninger had successfully turned a sun-soaked parkland into a tight-knit community. He may be exploring quieter, more reflective spaces on his solo records, but on stage, he remains an unmitigated firecracker.

For a first outing, Live at Castle Mills could hardly have gone better. It carved out a perfect niche: high-caliber talent, pristine sound engineering, stunning riverside aesthetics, and city-centre convenience. It has immediately earned its place as a staple of the Irish summer live music calendar.

Matt Berninger at Live At Castle Mills, Kilkenny. Photo: Trevor McGrath.