Whelans is 20 this year and they’ve 12 months of celebrations planned to mark the event.
Whelans is 20 this year and they’ve 12 months of celebrations planned to mark the event.
2009 marks the 20th anniversary of Whelan’s, by now Ireland’s most legendary live music venue. To mark the occasion we’ll be planning very special events, live broadcasts, surprise parties and numerous re-appearances of some of our favourite artists who have performed here over the last 20 years.
Whelan’s history is littered with amazing concerts from Irish and international artists across the full spectrum of musical genre; indie-rock, country, blues, soul, hip-hop, trad, folk, classical, jazz, metal, electronic and music we don’t even know how to describe. Over the past 20 years, diversity has been our watchword.
Whelan’s initially started out as an informal hub for folk and session musicians in Dublin and very soon it became a place where people involved in the arts – actors, writers, painters, musicians – converged to exchange creative ideas over a few pints.
That prestigious list of performers and visitors includes out and out legends such as Jeff Buckley, John Martyn, Nick Cave, Christy Moore, John Prine, Will Oldham, The McGarrigles, Arlo Guthrie, Sam Shepard, Brendan Gleeson, Mike Mills & Peter Buck of REM, Frank Black, Jack White, Lloyd Cole, Daniel Johnston, Kiefer Sutherland, David Soul, hometown heroes such as The Frames, Lisa Hannigan, Damien Rice, Damien Dempsey, Cathy Davey, Fight Like Apes and international stars such as Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, Super Furry Animals, Kate Nash, Mogwai, Battles, Josh Ritter, Wilco, Dirty Three, Calexico, Sparklehorse, the National, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, and Fleet Foxes, to name a few.
To begin what will be a year-long celebration we’re proud to welcome back two of our favourite Irish acts, Mundy and Delorentos. Mundy returns to his spiritual home for a 3-night stand later this month to celebrate our birthday and the birth of his excellent new album Strawberry Blood. Sadly, Delorentos are calling quits and have chosen Whelan’s as the Dublin location on their farewell tour. More information on both acts below. And more news on the Whelan’s 20 celebrations to follow shortly.
DELORENTOS
& special guests
Whelan’s, Saturday May 23rd
Doors 7.30pm
www.delorentos.net
MUNDY
& special guests
Whelan’s, Thur 23rd, Fri 24th & Sat 25th April
(Tickets for 25th April going on sale Monday 30th March)
www.mundy.ie
www.myspace.com/mundyirl
