08 March 2026 (gig)
11 March 2026
On Sunday 8th March last, there was no better place to be on International Women's Day, than seeing the inspirational Imelda May performing live in the heart of Ireland, at the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone, County Westmeath. May, originally from The Liberties in Dublin, is one of Ireland's most popular and poetic artists and is globally revered, with her fans including the only Nobel Laureate musician Bob Dylan.
During this 'Raised on Songs and Stories' tour, May has played at venues all around the country with many extra dates having been added due to her popularity.
The name of this tour is taken from the opening line of the song which May starts the show with, 'The Rare Ould Times', in which, the narrator, Seán Dempsey, who comes from Pimlico, a working-class neighbourhood in the Dublin Liberties, recalls his upbringing, lamenting the changes that have occurred in the city since his youth.
At this concert, May combined songs from her most recent albums such as 'Just One Kiss', 'Sixth Sense' and 'Don't Let Me Stand On My Own' with older hits like 'Big Bad Handsome Man', 'Johnny Got A Boom Boom' and 'Kentish Town Waltz' in a set that both has a rock and roll feel as well as a sensitive and softer side. May also performed many wonderful renditions of some of Ireland's most beloved songs including, 'Raglan Road', 'A Rainy Night In Soho' and to finish the concert, ' When You Were Sweet Sixteen'.
May has a beautiful, powerful and distinctive voice which shines throughout a very entertaining unscripted show where she also recites poems which were showcased in her wonderful book of poetry 'A Lick And A Promise', and pays tribute to some of Ireland's musical greats who have sadly passed in recent years, Shane MacGowan and Sinèad O'Connor.
After the sell-out success of her current tour, May has announced three additional summer dates. She returns to Dublin’s Vicar Street on June 9th and 10th, followed by her biggest Irish show of the year at Live at the Marquee in Cork on June 12th. May also mentioned that she has many ideas for new songs which suggests we hopefully will be getting a new album soon, the first since 2021's Irish chart-topper '11 Past The Hour'.
