Gigs in 2025

Rebecca (left) and Megan Lovell (right) on stage peforming. Rebecca is playing an electric guitar and Megan is playing a lap steel. The rest of the band can be seen in the background.

Music

Larkin Poe

Support act: Son Little

One of my favourite contemporary rock bands, Larkin Poe, blends great American music traditions such as the blues, country and bluegrass with signature flair. It was great to witness the Lovell sisters's guitar prowess up close.

18 Oct 2025 at O2 Academy, Glasgow

A promotional still from the show; left to right - Connor Carson as Brad, Adam Strong as Frank-N-Furtner, Natasha Hoeberigs as Magenta and Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli as Columbia.

Theatre

Rocky Horror Show

A new UK and Ireland stage adaptation of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, with Adam Strong as Frank-N-Furter. All the performers were great and had the audience in stitches.

23 Jul 2025 at Grand Opera House, Belfast

A promotional still from the show; some performers are gathered around a mic on the left of the photo, while one is sitting at a drumset on the right

Theatre

Girl from the North Country

This Conor McPherson’s play which masterfully intertwines a number of Dylan classics with an original story set in Minnesota in the 1930s was a highlight of our London trip. It was a limited revival at the iconic Old Vic which we were fortunate enough to witness. Katie Brayben's rendition of "Forever Young" towards the end of the play had me in tears.

16 Jul 2025 at The Old Vic, London

Theatre

Sing Street

This stage adaptation of John Carney’s film "Sing Street" featured a new UK & Ireland cast. I love the film to bits, and although there were some minor differences made to the story in this version, I enjoyed it immensely.

14 Jul 2025 at The Lyric, Hammersmith

The band on stage, all wielding their instruments,with Neil Young second from the right.

Music

Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts

Support acts: Naima Bock, Amble, Van Morrison, Yusuf/Cat Stevens

Neil Yound played the BST Hyde Park festival with his new backing band, The Chrome Hearts, on their "Love Earth" tour. Neil didn't disappoint; his guitar tone was as raw and dirty as ever, and they played all the way through to the curfew at 10.30pm. They had to cut the sound off as he was finishing "Rocking in the Free World".

11 Jul 2025 at Hyde Park, London

Alanis singing into a mic, as seen through a large screen on the side of the stage

Music

Alanis Morissette

Support acts: Irish Woman in Harmony, Liz Phair

Alanis headlined the Belsonic festival. It was a rainy evening in Belfast, but the atmosphere was great and Alanis rocked the show. People were singing along and having fun.

30 Jun 2025 at Ormeau Park, Belfast

Bonnie and her band saying goodbye to fans at the end of the show

Music

Bonnie Raitt

Support act: Martin Harley

The legendary Bonnie Raitt performed a number of classics from her enormous back catalogue. I especially liked the acoustic rendition of "Angel from Montgomery".

1 Jun 2025 at Ulster Hall, Belfast

The band performing on stage while bright lights illuminates from the back

Music

Holy Holy: A Celebration of Bowie

Woody Woodmansey (from The Spiders from Mars) and Tony Visconti (Bowie's longtime producer) pay tribute to the late, great David Bowie, featuring Glen Gregory from Heaven 17 on vocals, and a brilliant crew of musicians in tow. They performed a delightful selection of Bowie’s hits.

31 May 2025 at O2 Academy, Liverpool

Music

Wes Banderson

Wes Banderson is a motley crew of musicians, led by Adam Znaidi, playing the music from Wes Anderson’s films. They covered a number of tracks from several Wes Anderson films with great precision, paying fitting tribute to composers such as Alexandre Desplat and Mark Mothersbaugh.

17 May 2025 at The Black Box, Belfast

Comedy

Foil, Arms & Hog

The Irish comedy trio Foil, Arms & Hog brought their signature skits to Belfast on their "Skittish" tour. It was am excellent evening full of laughs.

17 Apr 2025 at Grand Opera House, Belfast

A photo of the SSE Arena stage, just before the orchestra went on. There are two large screens on either side of the stage, and the audience looks on in anticipation.

Music

André Rieu

The Dutch violinist and his Johann Strauss Orchestra performed a delightful selection of classical tunes and renditions of modern popular music. The SSE Arena was sold out.

10 Apr 2025 at SSE Arena, Belfast