ALL OF THE FESTIVAL EVENTS ON THE QUAY...
AL PORTER – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 7 P.M.
Today FM’s Mr Entertainment, Tallaght’s very own Al Porter, is the camp darling of Irish comedy. It’ll be an all-singing, all-laughing explosion of filth and frivolity.
FOIL ARMS AND HOG – OINK– TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 8 P.M.
Former children and regular eaters Foil, Arms & Hog are back with their new show. Best known for their YouTube videos (50 million hits), their live show is what they’re most proud of.
BOSCO PRESENTS HANSEL AND GRETEL – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, MIDDAY
The Lambert Puppet Theatre returns to Wexford Spiegeltent on Sunday, October 15, at midday. Paula Lambert was the ‘Bosco’ voice on TV for seventeen years and indeed Bosco is still a firm favourite with the younger children and will make a nostalgic appearance in the opening part of the show.
CORNER BOY – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 7.30 P.M.
Spiegeltent favourites Corner Boy will release their first record in three years this autumn, following on from 2014’s critically acclaimed True North EP. Corner Boy’s music blends together traditional Irish instruments and folk progressions with contemporary musical themes.
ASLAN – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 8 P.M.
Legendary Irish rock band Aslan will perform at the Wexford Spiegeltent Festival on Sunday, October 15. ‘This Is’ was Aslan’s first Hit single, and in over three decades together they have released songs such as Crazy World, Too Late For Hallelujah, songs which have become classics.
HOTHOUSE FLOWERS – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 10 P.M.
Something amazing happens when Hothouse Flowers step onto the stage – something that has been shaped by over 30 years of singing and playing all over the world, yet no two shows have ever been the same.
CRY BEFORE DAWN – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 8 P.M.
Wexford legends Cry Before Dawn play the Wexford Spiegeltent Festival on Sunday, October 22. The original line-up is back together to celebrate 30 years of their double platinum album ‘Crimes of Conscience’
HUDSON TAYLOR – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 10 P.M.
Irish duo brothers Harry and Alfie released their long
awaited debut album ‘Singing for Strangers’ in 2015. The multi-instrumentalists had honed their craft busking on the streets of their hometown of Dublin as well as all over Europe and in fact gained the album’s name from their love of entertaining anyone who would stop and listen.
DERMOT AND DAVE – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 7 P.M.
Today FM’s presenters Dermot and Dave are bringing the 'Ah Sure Lookit’ tour to the Wexford Spiegeltent on Sunday, October 29. This is the first time the pair has taken to the stage for a comedy gig but they’re well used to each other, having worked together in radio for 12 years.
HERMITAGE GREEN, DELORENTOS, HAM SANDWICH AND IRAGLANS – SATURDAY, OCTOBER
14, 8 P.M. The Wexford Spiegeltent Festival presents a night of Irish indie rock with not one but four of the most talented bands on the Irish music scene. Each band will perform their own set including their best loved songs.
IMELDA MAY – MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, AND
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 10 P.M. (SOLD OUT) Irish superstar singer and songwriter Imelda May is playing the Spiegeltent Festival on Monday and Tuesday, October 23 and 31. Imelda’s new single ‘Girl I Used To Be’ is out now.
LISA HANNIGAN – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 5 P.M. AND 9 P.M. Lisa Hannigan will perform two intimate shows in the Spiegeltent on Wednesday, October 25, a matinee show for all ages and an evening show. Lisa Hannigan first came to light as an angel-voiced, somewhat mysterious figure singing harmonies alongside Damien Rice.
FREAK FANTASTIQUE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 10 P.M.
Don your ghoulish garments and join us in the Spiegeltent for Wexford’s biggest Halloween Party, a Spooktacular Sideshow where you can get your freak on.
LORDS OF STRUT: ABSOLUTE LEGENDS – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 11 A.M.
Ireland’s most lovable idiots bring their mischief and mayhem on their ‘Absolute Legends’ tour – a show for the whole family . Lords of Strut are an Irish comedy double act combining character comedy, dance, and acrobatics.
SMOKIE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 8 P.M. (SOLD OUT)
Rock legends Smokie play the Wexford Spiegeltent Festival on Friday, October 13. To be rock’n’roll survivors is an achievement. To be Europe’s top live band, 30 years after its inception is truly fantastic but to still be enthusiastic, fresh, totally committed and in love with the music is a positive miracle.
OTT WRESTLING, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, MIDDAY
On Sunday, October 29, we enter the squared circle as OTT Wrestling brings high octane American style wrestling to the Spiegeltent. Catch spooktacular characters performing breath-taking acrobatic moves, battling out good versus evil. Cheer the lucky underdog, the sore loser, the strong unstoppable heroes through title bouts, challenges and defences.
PAUL HEATON AND JACQUI ABBOTT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 10 P.M. (SOLD OUT)
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott return to the Wexford Spiegeltent Festival on Saturday, October 28. Where some artists can coast somewhat in midlife, Heaton, with his musical foil Jacqui Abbott, is just hitting his stride. The duo’s new album, ‘Crooked Calypso’, brims with his newly discovered zest for life.
SHARON SHANNON – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 7 P.M.
Sharon Shannon released her brand-new studio album Sacred Earth on March 17 this year. Newly signed to Irish record label Celtic Collection. This is Sharon’s first new studio album in three years and her 10th studio album to date. She plays the Spiegeltent with her band on Thursday, October 26.
PJ GALLAGHER – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 7 P.M.
Hot off the heels of his 2016 success with hit film The Young Offenders, one of Ireland’s most popular comedians, PJ Gallagher, brings his new show, ‘Dickhead’, to the Spiegeltent on Saturday, October 28. A natural on stage, PJ’s previous tours, Concussion and Separated at Birth (with Joanne McNally), received critical acclaim and played to sell-out audiences.
PROHIBITION PARTY – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 10 P.M.
Return to the hedonism of the Roaring Twenties for the Prohibition Era Party. Ladies, wear your finest flapper dresses, Gentlemen, sharpen your suits and fedora hats as you dance the Charleston to the Swing and Jazz sounds of our swing band and their dancing troupe ‘The Burlesque Babes’.
SOME PEOPLE V REGINALD D HUNTER – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 9 P.M.
Reginald D Hunter returns to Ireland in 2017 with his highly anticipated brand new show following a hugely successful year performing across Europe. Reginald has become one of the UK Comedy industry’s best-known performers for his distinctive take on subjects including race and sexuality..
THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 10 P.M.
We are delighted to welcome the Riptide Movement back to the Wexford Spiegeltent on Sunday, October 29. The Riptide Movement are four lifelong friends from Lucan, who began their musical journey in 2006. The Riptide Movement closed the 2016 Wexford Spiegeltent Festival with a spectacular performance that almost lifted the roof.
THE STRYPES – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 7 P.M.
The Strypes return to Wexford with new material and the third album, Spitting Image. The Strypes, from Cavan, have been gigging since June 2011, playing a no-nonsense set of ‘speed blues’, mixing reworkings of rhythm and blues classics with their originals.
THE SUCCESSFUL TD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 8 P.M.
The Successful TD follows the trials, tribulations, misadventures and hilarious antics of Tull McAdoo as he seeks re-election to the Dáil in the ‘October elections’.
Written by John B Keane in 1967, he displays his edge for humour and satire that are uncomfortably close to the politics of today. Adapted for the stage by Jon Kenny, Mary McEvoy and Michael Scott.
TUMBLE CIRCUS PRESENTS CIRCUS DIVILMENT – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 11 P.M.
Tumble Circus wants to smash what you think circus can be. Be inspired by the feats of circus skills; laugh, be enlightened and entertained. Forget what you think Irish circus is, and give yourself and your family a great hour of revolutionary, Belfast-inspired circus.
WEXFORD ARTISTS – MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 8 P.M.
The Wexford Spiegeltent Festival is delighted to host a night of Wexford’s local talent. This show promises to be a spectacular illustration of Wexford’s musicians, singers and songwriters, including Luke Jackson, Megan-Kate Doolan and others. For further details see the Art & Culture section in this newspaper on pages 28 & 29.
WEXFORD MALE VOICE CHOIR – MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2 P.M.
Wexford Male Voice Choir return to the Spiegeltent on Bank Holiday Monday, October 30. They have a wide repertoire ranging from ecclesiastical to operatic to modern classics.
WOLFF WITH FANGCLUB – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 8 P.M.
A busy port town in Ireland’s south east is the last place you’d expect such a fearless, dark and raw sound to emerge from. Thunderous drums, growling bass, ferocious guitars and howling vocals combine to bring a huge sound to life on stage.