Vicar Street is a concert, performing arts centre and events venue in Dublin, Ireland. Located on Thomas Street, Dublin 8, Vicar Street has capacity for 1,050 people for seated performances and 1,500 people for standing gigs.[1] The venue is owned by Harry Crosbie and operated by Peter Aiken. Since opening in 1998,[2] the venue has become a popular setting for a wide range of acts including stand-up comedy, drama performances and a variety of concerts. The first artist to play on the Vicar Street Stage was local singer/songwriter Shay Cotter.[3] Major international recording artists have performed in Vicar Street, such as Bob Dylan in 2000,[4] Neil Young in 2003, Adele in 2008,[5] Paul Simon and Ed Sheeran in 2011, and Lana Del Rey in 2013.
 Vicar Street exterior in 2010. | |
 | |
| Address | 58 Thomas Street, Dublin, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Owner | Harry Crosbie |
| Type | Concert hall Performing arts centre |
| Seating type | Seated, standing |
| Capacity | 1,050 (seated) 1,500 (standing) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1997–1998 |
| Opened | September 1998 |
| Expanded | 2002 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Because of its intimate size, the venue is one looked on with warmth by fans and acts alike.[6]
Notable events
editLongest-running solo show
editThe longest-running show to take place in Vicar Street was Tommy Tiernan's Loose show with a string of 166 performances.[7]
Other events
editVicar Street hosts the Choice Music Prize ceremony in February/March each year.[8] Occasionally the venue is used to accommodate higher attendances than expected at smaller venues. In 2008, Canadian indie rock band Wolf Parade's November show which had been scheduled for Andrew's Lane Theatre was moved to Vicar Street.[9]
Bob Dylan performed at the venue in 2000 for his first, and as yet, only gig at the venue.
Lankum have played here many times with the nights known for their debauchery, general mayhem and off kilter vibes.
Gary Numan played his first concert in Ireland here in 2001.
Planxty played a series of concerts at the venue on 30 & 31 January and on 4 & 5, 11 & 12 February 2004,[10]: 317 which were recorded and from which selected material was released on the CD Live 2004 and its associated DVD.
Bell X1 played two shows in November 2008 to celebrate the venue's tenth anniversary.[11] In March 2009, the Irish Anti-War Movement hosted a fund-raising event at Vicar Street, featuring Christy Moore, Stephen Rea, Sinéad Cussack, Róisín Elsafy, Mick Pyro, Judith Mok and Joyce.[12] A Musicians For Marriage Equality show featuring artists such as Michele Ann Kelly and The Spikes took place at Vicar Street in October 2009.[13]
Rap superstar Kendrick Lamar played his first concert in Ireland in Vicar Street in 2013.
"Weird Al" Yankovic played his first concert in Ireland here on October 26, 2015, during the Mandatory World Tour.
Live recordings
editMany comedians and musicians, both from Ireland and abroad, have chosen to record some of their live material at the venue. These include Simon Amstell, Aslan, Des Bishop, Jason Byrne, Damien Dempsey, The Dubliners, Erasure, The Frames, Andy Irvine's 70th birthday concerts, Kíla, Christy Moore, Dylan Moran, Moving Hearts, Mundy, Planxty, Josh Ritter, Tommy Tiernan, Neil Young, Dara Ó Briain and Foil, Arms & Hog.
Awards
editVicar Street has been awarded the Live Music Venue of the Year Award, in the national and Dublin-based categories of the IMRO awards, for two years running in 2009 and 2008 – the first two years of the IMRO Music Venue Awards.[14] In addition in 2008, it also received the Hot Press Readers Award for Best Live Music Venue in Ireland.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Aiken Promotions - Aiken Promotions" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2012.
- ^ "Dublin Events". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ Carroll, Jim (4 November 2008). "10 years of Vicar Street". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "CLUAS | Gig Reviews | Bob Dylan live in Vicar Street". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ "Adele returns to Vicar Street – FM For Music". Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ "Vicar Street - Dublin, D". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ "Tommy Tiernan – Official web site of award-winning comedian Tommy Tiernan | News". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Shock result in Choice Music Prize". RTÉ. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
- ^ "Wolf Parade move to Vicar Street". Hot Press. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
- ^ O'Toole, Leagues (2006). The Humours of Planxty. Ireland: Hodder Headline. ISBN 0-340-83796-9.
- ^ "Bell X1 for Vicar Street tenth anniversary". Phantom FM. Retrieved 22 September 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Christy Moore does it for the quids". Hot Press. 27 February 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
- ^ "Musicians for Equality Announce Vicar St Gig". Hot Press. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
- ^ "Meg.ie". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ "Aiken Promotions - Aiken Promotions are proud to announce". Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-04.