What’s At The Whale?

Get in!

iven that there are new acts being added pretty much daily, we thought it wise to start pulling together all The Whale’s new shows in one place.

Because there’s very much something for everyone – including you – it’s good to know what’s on that ever-expanding menu.

Especially after a brief self-preservation fall and glorious rise.

You can, of course, also jump straight to the source here.

And find out what’s rockin’ all over de town here.

Also, running every Wednesday in The Whale from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, BandLab offers up a space for young musicians to rehearse, jam and create. Or create, jam and then rehearse, if that’s how you rock agus roll. It’s €8 to use the space, and you can go meet the tutors and check out what’s on offer for free today, October 1st. Details here.

For now though, here are the latest Whale wonders…

SAT11-18-25JULY26 10.30AM Free Ukrainian Bilingual Creative Workshops
Running across three Saturday mornings, July 11th, 18th and 25th, at 10.30am, there’s a trio of free Ukrainian bilingual creative workshops, exploring place and mythology, through drama and storytelling. Or, if you prefer – Три білінгуальні воркшопи, які досліджують теми приналежності та міфології через театр та сторітелінг. You can sign up here.

FRI24JULY26 8PM €26.50 Bone Machine: The Music Of Tom Waits
Having cornered the market in hobo chic, Tom Waits achieved a thrilling Radiohead shift from the last of his traditional latenight barroom bliss that was 1980’s Heartattack And Vine to the avant garde, toolbox-falling-down-the-stairs blitz of 1983’s Swordfishtrombone. New label, new sound, new Tom, but largely the same mischievous songs of decadence and crushing desire. And at The Whale on Friday, July 24th, Bone Machine will be celebrating both sides of the now 76-year-old Thomas Alan Waits. Bring a tissue. And a haddock. Details here.

SAT25JULY26 8PM €16 Seán Begley But I Digress!
Wherein the rising Irish comedian once again shines a light on his inadequacies – even if he is storming the likes of Edinburgh and The Comedy Store. On the back of two sold-out shows at The Whale, and a growing reputation abroad, Begley delivers another mix of stories, one-liners and off-the-menu ramblings. Interview here, tickets here.

Pic: Claire Nash

FRI11SEPT26 8PM €28 Tadhg J Devery Pints, Dentures & Rock’n’Roll
Having decided to take his country-inspired comedy videos onto the stage back in 2024, Tadhg J Devery soon found himself with a hit show in A Day In The Country. And now the Offaly lad reckons he’s got a follow-up that’s bigger, better, stronger and funnier, the title of the show, Pints, Dentures & Rock’n’Roll quite possibly telling you all you need to know. Tickets here.

SAT12SEPT26 8PM €28 The Songs And Stories of Joni Mitchell
As the lady herself teases out a return to the stage, Irish tribute band Shadows And Light – vocalist Maura Vambeck, Dave Mulligan on guitar, Dave McCune on percussion and Paul Enright on keyboard – take us through the world of Joni Mitchell. Which is a pretty lush place to visit. Interview here, tickets here.

SUN13SEPT26 4PM €20/€15 Mike Nielsen Sound Recipe
Having previously showed us how the eclectic Miles went electric with a memorable Whale visit in 2023, guitarist, composer, author and, hey, jazz lecturer at the Technical University, Dublin, Mike Nielsen returns with New York double bassist Brian Questra and drummer electrordinaire Shane O’Donovan as his trio Sound Recipes conjure up some special arrangements of old favourites as well as their own compositions. Tickets here.

Explore The Whale’s full upcoming line-up right here, and chart its people-powered return right here.