Music
07 Feb 25

Rock Against Homelessness sells out on 10th anniversary

Damien Dempsey at Vicar Street, 2024. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Damien Dempsey headlines this year's show.

Rock Against Homelessness, the Sunday Independent’s annual fundraiser in support of Focus Ireland, has sold out for its tenth edition, set to take place tonight, February 7, at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre.

The show will be headlined by Damien Dempsey, and will include special guests Pillow Queens, Zeztra, Jyellowl, and Pastiche, as well as Game of Thrones actor Aidan Gillen as MC. So far, €50,000 has been raised.

The purchase of every ticket entails direct support for the work of Focus Ireland, a Dublin-based non-profit that provides help and resources for people that are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Tonight's concert will mark a decade of their commitment towards fighting this social crisis.

“We are thrilled to see such overwhelming support for this cause," said a representative from the organisation. "The funds raised tonight will make a tangible difference for families and individuals facing homelessness," they added.

Sunday Independent's Barry Egan, organiser of the concerts throughout the decade, has said: “We are, of course, very proud that all 1600 tickets are gone." He added, however, that "(our) success is tempered by the fact that during those ten years of the show almost 60,000 people have been homeless in Ireland. And worse, for such a so-called modern country there are currently over 14,000 people homeless, and over 4,700 children without a home," he said. "That’s fairly damning of this nation of ours.”

“We’re standing in the middle of a crisis that should shame this country to its core," said headliner Damien Dempsey. "Nearly 15,000 people without a home, over 4,500 children growing up in limbo, robbed of the safety and dignity every child deserves."

Headliners for the show's past editions include Corinne Bailey Rae, Lyra, and Kojaque. Tonight's gig is sponsored by Cadbury, Arachas Insurance, Hard Rock Café and Starbucks.