Dublin Bowie Festival returns with a fabulously packed programme celebrating the life and legacy of the musical genius of David Bowie. Fans of the musical maestro are once again in for a treat, as the extended Dublin Bowie family celebrates fifty golden years of Young Americans, the iconic album that first saw the light of day in 1975. With so much to choose from, we’ve rounded up just some of the incredible highlights worth catching in the city over the course of the festival.
Denis O’Regan: My Life With Bowie
Revered rock photographer Denis O’Regan returns to the stunning 16th century Rathfarnham Castle Gallery for a new exhibition of his wonderful photos of the iconic Starman. O’Regan is the man who has photographed Bowie more than any other photographer and his pics of Bowie are instantly recognisable. O’Regan was also an official photographer for Queen, Thin Lizzy, The Rolling Stones and Duran Duran and Live Aid.
Rathfarnham Castle, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin. Weds – Sunday, 10.30am – 4.30pm. (Closed Monday/Tuesday) Admission is FREE.
The Bowie Alumni in Conversation: Gail Ann Dorsey, Mike Garson, Gerry Leonard, Mark Plati
Four key iconic members of Bowie’s band talk about their times with the Starman.
Thursday Feb 27th, Royal College of Surgeons, St Stephen Green, D2. Doors: 8pm.
Drive In Saturday – A Bowie Celebration
Dublin Bowie Festival takes over Dublin’s most revered rock n roll venue Whelan’s for day and night to bring you a feast of live music, a Young Americans listening party & panel discussion, screenings, markets and more.
Dublin 6 piece The London Boys play 60’s Bowie covering his mod, baroque pop & music hall musings, Playback perform Bowie’s classic ‘plastic’ soul album Young Americans in its entirety and other funky Bowie classics, The Savage Hearts will be ripping through Bowie’s fantastic 1973 covers album Pin Ups from start to finish with some Glam classics thrown in and, all the way from the USA, comes classical pianist Monica Frank who will play a selection of self arranged Bowie songs.
There will also be DJ sets and to cap the night off Brian Brody, lead singer of The London Boys, will be hosting a Bowie Singalong, a place where the Bowie Family can get together and sing communally all those classic songs
Saturday March 1st, Whelans. Doors: 1pm until 11.30pm.
Rebel Rebel – The David Bowie Experience
Arguably planet Earth’s best Bowie tribute band return to headline the Festival’s Saturday night celebrations with a Wham! Bam! Thank You Mam! selection of Bowie bangers, greatest hits and select album cuts.
Opium, Wexford St. Doors: 7pm.
Bowie’s Piano Man – An Audience with Mike Garson
Legendary pianist Mike Garson recounts his time with Bowie while performing live excerpts to illuminate the very special musical bond that he and David had over their long association with each other.
Sunday March 2nd, Royal College of Surgeons, St Stephens Green. D2. Doors: 12 midday.
Words: Paul Fitzpatrick
For Festival info and tickets visit dbfest.ie
