The David Bowie Festival

John Brereton on what David Bowie means to him and the festival he has created in his honour.

Tell us about the origins of the Bowie Fest?

The Grand Social had hosted the Bowie Birthday Bash for 5 years running with Rebel Rebel headlining so for 2016, myself and Peter Quinn (lead singer of Rebel Rebel), decided to expand the bash into a ‘festival’ with extra events over the weekend in the venue. We got lucky when Bowie’s guitarist Gerry Leonard said he would be in town so it was brilliant to have that direct connection to Bowie guesting at the first Festival. When I was 18 I went to a Bowie Convention in London and it blew me away so Ive always wanted to do something like that in Dublin. With Bowie’s death the following day the Festival exploded into a 6 night multi-faceted, multi-venue event within 12 months so its all happened a lot quicker than planned.

What did Bowie mean to you growing up? Any stand out memories?

I swapped my first illegal six pack of beer for a mates Hunky Dory album on Halloween night in 1981 and never looked back. I was consumed by his music and the lyrical imagery and cultural references within his songs made me delve into what made Bowie tick. It was a magical journey; his influence opened so many doors and I just loved how he brought theatre and sexual playfulness into rock n roll. I saw him live first in 83 (Serious Moonlight Tour) and in The Baggot Inn (with Tin Machine) but of all the times I saw him live his Olympia gigs were untouchable. 

The inaugural Bowie fest concluded the same night he passed away. What was your reaction when you heard the news?

I remember leaving Gerry to the hotel on the Sunday night and he said he’d tell David how great it all went so I was on cloud nine. My four-year–old son woke me up the next morning with the news and it was just total shock. After living Bowie for the weekend it just felt so surreal. I was on the radio for most of the day being interviewed so I didn’t see any news reports and had no time to process what had happened. We hastily organised a vigil in The Grand Social that night for all the fans (which Gerry also attended) so the day and night was full on busy. It was only when I got home that night and turned on the TV that all the emotion came flooding out.

You have designer Jonathan Barnbrook in conversation and a screening of the acclaimed V&A exhibition as part of the programme. Is Bowie’s creative output and legacy is a limitless source of inspiration?

Most definitely. His influence on music, fashion and how we present ourselves as artists will be hard to surpass. 

Favourite song? Album? Album cover?

Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (reprise). Hunky Dory. Low. (though these could change tomorrow 🙂