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Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Neil Young review: Canadian star and Van Morrison turn back the years in Malahide, Dublin
Van Morrison, Neil Young, Malahide Castle, Dublin ★★★★☆ The electric guitar is alive and well. Neil Young, who is back touring in Europe for the first time in six years with his new backing band, Chrome Hearts, jabbed manically on Old Black, his trusty guitar, to glorious effect at the castle gardens in Malahide on Thursday night. Before the Canadian star took to the stage, we were treated to a set from Van Morrison, as part of possibly the best double-bill you'll see this year. Both singers turn 80 in 2025, although they're acting like men half their age. The Belfast Cowboy hit the ground running with a heart-lifting rendition of Into the Mystic to open his set. Looking debonair in a blue suit and trilby hat, and clutching his gold mic like a weapon, his voice is as strong as ever. He was in an ebullient mood, even chuckling (yes, sir) as he ebbed and flowed his way through classics from his canon, including Bright Side of the Road and Wild Night. Van Morrison on stage at Malahide Castle, Co. Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney Van the Man even had time for a bit of improvisation as he got close to the exit ramp: 'We're near the end game here,' he said, casting around to his band. 'What about some Summertime in England. Will we do it? Will we do it? Let's go.' Morrison went out in a blaze of glory with a stomping version of Gloria. Young, wearing a trademark check shirt and Maple Leaf T-shirt, powered his way through largely a hits set, with the odd surprise, including a couple of obscure Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young numbers. There was time for a stand-still, sing-along The Needle and The Damage Done, and a rambunctious Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black). An extended guitar solo filled out Like a Hurricane. It was then that his sidekick, the legendary organist Dewey 'Spooner' Oldham Jr (and one-time keyboardist for Aretha Franklin), came alive. He goes back the trail a long way with Young. There were ponchos everywhere in the crowd, as the rain came milling down. An older demographic, including more than one grey ponytail and the actor Stephen Rea, refused to have their spirits dampened by the persistent rain. Neil Young at Malahide Castle, Co. Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney Young had no time for grandstanding or political messages. He kept his banter to 'Good to be here with you all' sentiments, asking at one stage, 'People at the back, can you hear us? How are you doing?' 'We're wonderful, Neil,' came the eager response. Young left the ecstatic crowd with Rockin' in the Free World for his encore. Next stop on the road – Glastonbury for a headline show on Saturday. They're in for a treat. Out and about at Malahide Castle Faye Clague from Clonakilty and Yvette Daly from Kerry during the double bill concert of Van Morrison and Neil Young at Malahide Castle, Co Dublin. Pictures: Gareth Chaney Brendan Tangney and Cian O'Mathuna from Macroom, with Jim Theehan, Kilkenny. Amie O'Dowd and Elena O'Dowd from Boston at Malahide Castle. Kevin Keeler and Louise Keeler from Adelaide Australia at the gig. Audrey Darcy from Bettystown.
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Van Morrison: Mixed reaction to new QUB artist-in-residence role
There has been a mixed reaction to the news that Van Morrison is to become Queen's University Belfast's first year-long partnership will see the Northern Irish musician provide two students with fully-funded will also put on a series of live performances across see it as a good opportunity for students, but others have said the musician is a "controversial choice". The initiative marks both the university's 180th anniversary and Van Morrison's 80th birthday. Olivia, 17, a music student at Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, said that the partnership was "an exciting opportunity" for music students. She hopes to go to Queen's to study medicine in September and said it would be "great to see Van Morrison on campus".His song, Into the Mystic, was one of the first Olivia learned to play on guitar."I have grown up with Van Morrison, with my Dad playing him constantly," she said. "He is a big fan."The scholarship element of the partnership would make "a world of difference" to students, Olivia said. "People are already talking about accommodation prices and how stressful it is. It's such a wonderful opportunity." 'A tremendous difference' Ebony, 15, also a student at Assumption Grammar, said the scholarship could make a "tremendous difference" and "encourage pupils to follow their dreams and study for a career in music".She said it was "inspiring to have someone believe in you".Her dad is also "a big fan" of Van Morrison, playing his music in the car - and Ebony said she "couldn't help but sing along".Ebony is a singer, and is considering studying music at university."Music is my passion," she said."I think this opportunity is so good. I can't wait to go to university and hope there will be opportunities like this." However, Van Morrison has at times been a divisive has been embroiled, for example, in a long-running defamation battle with the former Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann which was settled in November. 'In two minds' Toby Shannon, who studied music at Queen's and now works in audio post-production, said the musician was a "weird and controversial choice" for the Shannon questioned whether some might be "opposed to taking financial aid from him because they don't really like him". He said he was "in two minds" about the initiative - but acknowledged that Van Morrison is "a big name and probably Northern Ireland's most successful musician"."It will attract eyes and ears to Northern Ireland and Queen's," he said."I can see why Queen's have done it."He added that it's "good to be able to support people who wouldn't be able to go to university". Mr Shannon does, however, feel that other musicians, such as Duke Special or composer Hannah Peel, might have been better added that Queen's could invest more in links with local musicians who could provide "good insights" on how to navigate the industry - and would also be up to speed with social media use, promotion and networking. Syeva Bondarenko, who also studied music at Queen's, said the partnership was "a nice gesture" but added that "the majority of local musicians don't go to university". "Speaking as someone who went to uni, it would be a better use of money to 'give back' to musicians in the local community. "Two scholarships is what, around £30,000 in total? Think of how many people that could help. "Split into 30, it could pay for 30 bands to record an EP, if not an album, as opposed to two people that could get a student loan." 'I don't know who he is' BBC News NI spoke to some students outside Queen's who hadn't actually heard of Van Morrison. "To be honest, I don't really know who he is but it's great that he's giving scholarships to students because it is hard being a student nowadays," one said he didn't have "a clue" who the musician was, but said the scholarship was a good way to get "more working class people into music at Queen's".A third student, who described himself a "big fan", said he was "very impressed" the singer was supporting students."He's had such an effect on Belfast as a whole and as a person from Belfast myself, I've seen that growing up," he said. 'A wonderful opportunity' Van Morrison said he was "delighted to deepen [his] relationship" with the university and looked forward to the events throughout the year. "This partnership is also a wonderful opportunity to inspire students, celebrate Belfast's rich musical heritage, and give back by supporting the next generation of musicians," he Sir Ian Greer, Queen's University Belfast president and vice-chancellor, said Van Morrison was "one of the most distinguished musicians of our time". "We are delighted to have him as our artist-in-residence," he said."This initiative will provide invaluable opportunities for our students and the wider community while enriching our cultural offerings. "As a university, we are committed to providing access to quality education to all students and partnerships such as this are vital to making this happen."
