Sinead O'Connor joins Gavin Friday on triumphant show

There was a huge turn-out of musicians, media types and celebrities for Gavin Friday's show at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin last night.

Gavin delivered a big performance on the night, drawing heavily on his acclaimed latest album, catholic, as well as delving into the Friday back catalogue. The band, under the expert musical direction of Herbie Macken, were exceptionally tight. One of the highlights of a superb night's music came with a guest appearance by Sinead O'Connor, who duetted with Gavin on two songs; 'Land on the Moon' and 'A Song That Hurts'.

"He was superb," Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said. "Gavin has developed into an exceptional singer and he is also a brilliant performer with a deep understanding of the theatrical side of rock'n'roll. He is also a genuinely brave songwriter, who is unafraid to deal with difficult themes. With the band really on song last night, it made for a heady cocktail. Plus, Sinéad O'Connor's contribution – as always with Sinéad – was marvellously gripping and powerful. It was a brilliant show."

Following a superb three song encore, including a brilliant take on 'Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves', Gavin left the stage to a standing ovation.

Among those at the gig and the aftershow party in The Kitchen were numerous members of the old Virgin Prunes crew, including artist Guggi and his brother Strongman, Julie Feeney, Maria Tecce, designers Joanne Hynes, John Rocha and Michael Mortell, ace video maker and multimedia whiz Kevin Godley, Suzanne Doyle and composer Lance Hogan, Olaf Tyaransen, Roisin Dwyer and Niall Stokes of Hot Press, Susan Hunter and Nadine Wai O'Flynn of Principle Management, film-maker Shimmy Marcus, Shane O'Reilly of Bipolar Empire, Brendan O'Connor and Barry Egan of the Sunday Independent, Eamon Sweeney of the Irish Independent, Lost Brothers manager Frank Murray, Ronan Ryan of La Stampa, Jay Bourke of Eden, actors Stephen Rea and Liam Cunningham, artist Charlie Whisker, Simon Carmody, RTE's John Kelly and Caroline Desmond, Reggie Manuel and many more besides.

"You could see just how much respect is out there for Gavin," one insider told Hot Press. "There was a great buzz – but most of all a sense that Gavin had delivered a brilliant performance and is on the crest of a wave at the moment. He really is looking very strong and in command as an artist at the moment."

Meanwhile Hot Press hears that catholic is being talked about as one of the albums of the year in both Holland and Belgium. We'll keep you posted!