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Sunday World
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
‘They don't like the Wolfe Tones' – Brian Warfield takes swipe at RTÉ during Thomond Park gig
Thomond Park is the last stop on the band's Final Farewell tour before they retire after more than 60 years performing together. Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones performing at the Electric Picnic in 2023. Photo: Kieran Frost/Redferns Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones has taken a parting swipe at RTÉ during one of the band's farewell shows. The long-running rebel music group played the first of two nights at Limerick's Thomond Park on Friday, with the second night scheduled for Sunday. Thomond Park is the last stop on the band's Final Farewell tour before they retire after more than 60 years performing together. During Friday night's performance, lead vocalist Warfield made a statement about the national broadcaster's treatment of the Wolfe Tones. 'They don't like the Wolfe Tones, do they? You don't hear them on RTÉ,' he told the audience. Read more Coalman convicted of Slane Castle killing had €322k cash hidden under false step in his house "They don't play our music on RTÉ. We have been blacklisted since Section 31, when Conor Cruise O'Brien brought in that awful, awful legislation to blacklist the Wolfe Tones all over the place.' Warfield was referring to Section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act, which was introduced during the Troubles to restrict those associated with paramilitary organisations from the airwaves. Warfield has long spoken about not having their music played on the radio going back to Section 31 being introduced in 1971. "We're retiring this year, we don't give a sh*t,' Warfield said.'Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, they can blacklist us all they like now, we don't care.' He said the band are very proud they 'put up a great fight against RTÉ'. "Their blacklisting of the Wolfe Tones, we're very proud of that. And that's a fight, and that was something not just for us, but for future generations coming along, and that's the important thing.' After Warfield's statement, the band headed into a rendition of their song The Streets of New York. Friday night's Wolfe Tones concert was added as an extra date after the Sunday night show sold out. A crowd of 29,000 concert-goers is expected for the second night.
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Everything you need to know ahead of The Wolfe Tones and The Script gigs at Thomond Park
Thousands will flock to Thomond Park in Limerick this weekend as The Wolfe Tones and The Script take to the stage. The Wolfe Tones will play two nights at the stadium, Friday night and Sunday night, while The Script will take to the stage at the Limerick venue on Saturday night. Promoter MCD Productions has issued a public information notice to concert-goers ahead of the gigs to ensure a safe and fun weekend for all. Getting there Thomond Park is located on the Cratloe Road and is accessible from Junction 3 of the N18 or through the city. Train: The Nearest station is Colbert Station in Limerick city centre. For information on train times, visit Irish Rail Bus: Those attending the concert by bus can take bus routes 302, 303 and 306 from the bus and train station. Visit /Bus Éireann for more information on bus times. Private coach operators: Bus set down, pick up, and parking will be facilitated within the road closure for one section of the North Circular Road and O'Callaghan Strand. Car: Limited event parking is available but must be booked in advance via /Evntz App. At the venue MCD has warned that no camping or queuing is allowed before the doors open on all three nights. 'If patrons do turn up early, they will be turned away at restricted area points around the venue. Queuing in streets around the venue will cause disruption to residents of the area and we appeal to patrons to heed this advice and respect the local community. Customers should plan to be within the venue 30 mins before the show starts,' the statement read. There are several entry routes to the stadium and concert-goers are advised to enter through the gate that is detailed on their ticket. Concert-goers have also been advised that strict security checks will be in operation and that camping or collapsible chairs, bags larger than A4 size, glass or cans, umbrellas, alcohol, signs/flags bigger than A3 size, flag poles, flares, selfie sticks, iPads, laptops, cameras and audio recording equipment will not be permitted. There is no re-admission to the concert, so if you leave the stadium, you will not be allowed to re-enter. MCD has also reminded concert-goers that Thomond Park is in a residential area and appealed to those attending the gigs this weekend to respect the local community by not littering, not engaging in anti-social behaviour and by not parking illegally. 'Please respect the neighbours. Thank you for your support, and enjoy the concert,' the statement read. Line-up Ahead of their two nights at the stadium, Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones said they are 'truly humbled' by the incredible demand to see The Wolfe Tones live, and described it as 'an honour' to bring their music to such an iconic venue. The Wolfe Tones will play the stadium this Friday and Sunday. The Script, alongside special guest James Bay, will play the stadium on Saturday. Read More The Waterboys review: Marquee sees the whole of the moon on a sizzling night in Cork
Irish Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Wolfe Tones drop Electric Picnic bombshell with verdict on surprise appearance
The Wolfe Tones singer Brian Warfield has said the band won't be making a surprise appearance to Electric Picnic. Earlier this month, organisers announced they had added Kneecap to the lineup for this year's festival, which takes place in Stradbally, Co Laois. But Mr Warfield ruled out that The Wolfe Tones won't be a last minute addition to the festival, which kicks off on August 29 until August 31. He told us: 'No. We weren't asked." But he said the band, who play Limerick's Thomond Park this Friday and Sunday night, have great memories from when they last played the summer festival in 2024. Last year, The Wolfe Tones' performance at Electric Picnic 2024 drew a crowd of 55,000 people to the main stage - A record attendance for the band's set at the festival. Mr Warfield said: "I think we have a great memory in our mind, and we'll hold that for the rest of our lives. I think that it was one of those special times over the 61 years. It'll never be forgotten. It was the biggest crowd ever at Electric Picnic. "It never happened before, and it hasn't happened since. Tommy was adamant he was going to retire. He's 81, pushing 82 so he had to make an end date.' Speaking about his own future projects, the Dubliner said he is reworking his play, Celtic Exodus for next year. 'I'm reworking my play next February. It was a great success. Everybody loved it. We'll try and get the same people back. Because I ran short of money last February, I had to cut some of the parts out." He jokingly added: 'I'm not poor, but everybody thinks of a millionaire.'
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
‘It's an absolute disgrace' – The Wolfe Tones are ‘totally behind' under-fire Kneecap
'They were just drawing attention to atrocities in Gaza,' says Wolfe Tones' Brian Warfield Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones performing at the Electric Picnic in 2023. Photo: Kieran Frost/Redferns The Wolfe Tones are the latest Irish and UK musicians to publicly voice their support for under-fire Belfast group Kneecap. It follows last week's revelation that the rappers are being investigated by counter-terrorism police in the UK following a video allegedly showing them calling for the deaths of British Tory MPs. They are also feeling the heat from an incendiary performance at the Coachella music festival in California last month during which they described Israel's military action in Gaza as a US-funded genocide. As a result, group members have been called anti-Semitic and 'terrorist sympathisers' of Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap have courted controversy in recent weeks Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 5th Due to the controversies, Kneecap have had numerous summer festivals and show appearances cancelled in Europe and America. However, a string of artists including Christy Moore, Fontaines DC, Paul Weller, Pulp, Massive Attack and Shane MacGowan's widow Victoria Mary Clarke are supporting Kneecap. And in an exclusive interview with the Sunday World, Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones said: 'We are totally behind Kneecap. I believe those young lads are very courageous and we don't want them left out there on their own. 'They are only starting their career and we totally and absolutely support them. It's an absolute disgrace that they are being portrayed as public enemy number one at the moment. 'We went through that ourselves for years. Our music was banned from radio by the then Minister Conor Cruise O'Brien under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act in the '70s. That Act banned paramilitaries from speaking on the airwaves, but he included us in that saying he didn't want to hear any more Wolfe Tones-type songs on the radio because it was supporting violence in the North. 'So you couldn't sing a song about any Irish hero at all because they felt it was supporting violence. It was a ridiculous comparison to make.' Singer-songwriter and musician Warfield says he fully backs the stance taken by Kneecap on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones performing at the Electric Picnic in 2023. Photo: Kieran Frost/Redferns 'Kneecap were just drawing attention to the atrocities in Gaza,' Brian says. 'I think that's their objective. They are angry about it. They want to… highlight what's going on because nobody seems to be supporting the Palestinians and nobody seems to be looking at what really is happening, which is a genocide and ethnic cleansing. And I have no doubt about that…it's what Netanyahu wants. 'I support the Palestinian cause and I just don't understand why the world is not up in arms about what's going on. 'It's just heartbreaking when you look at the children being starved. It's very difficult to look at it. I have to force myself to look at it because I want to know what's happening there. 'And just because I would criticise Israel for what is happening in Gaza, it doesn't mean I'm anti-Semitic, far from it. Kneecap criticising Israel doesn't mean they are supporting Hamas or are anti-Semitic or anything like that. 'I believe that everybody has a place in the world and the way the Israelis have treated the Palestinians is beyond belief. It should be called out more and it's not. And that's worrying. 'So I think it's totally unfair to demonise Kneecap for speaking out. They are on the crest of a wave and the way they speak out takes a lot of courage.' Celebrity Sharon Osbourne has called for Kneecap's work visa to be revoked for America. 'I couldn't believe that,' Brian says. 'I thought she'd be more understanding being married to a famous musician (Ozzy). I thought she'd have a greater understanding of the way musicians are very outspoken about things. ' Kneecap's manager Daniel Lambert said the group are happy to apologise in person to the daughter of murdered British Conservative MP David Amess after the controversy over a chant of 'kill your local MP.' Kneecap have already published an online apology to the families of Mr Amess and Labour MP Joe Cox after footage from a gig in 2023 allegedly showed one member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' They also insisted that they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah.
