Stay Human Collective Fundraiser – Whelans – 9/10/25 – Live Review
by Killian Laher

A great night of music in Whelan’s in aid of the Stay Human Collective.  The night began with a powerful poem, Gaza Dies written and read by Pearse Timothy, which reminded the audience of the purpose of the night.  This was followed by a short set by Pat Barrett, of Arrivalists.  He played his soft, meditative songs Patsy Cline and the Wichita Line, The Edge of Hope Avenue on solo guitar.  Dedicating it to Joe Chester, he played a guitar rendition of Hedge School’s song Lighthouse Lights Out before finishing with Threads, this last one dedicated to his late father.

Things got a little more intense with the mighty Stefan Murphy.  Joined by an uilleann piper and a violin player, he played The Story of Agnes before Crystal Chandeliers and the trad-influenced Where Nightmares Begin.  The trio finished up with an extraordinary trad version of the Velvet Underground’s Heroin, an intriguing choice of cover for the night!

Alice Jago was up next, and she was joined by Nina Hynes for Born Stubborn.  Stefan Murphy returned to join her for a fun rendition of Dolly Parton’s Jolene before she finished with a new song, Ready Now.  Hynes herself was up next, accompanied by a droning keyboard for Sinead O’Connor’s Black Boys on Mopeds.  Using her skills as a hypnotherapist, she had the audience not only singing along but also performing hand gestures, as she played 100 Years accompanied by Alice Jago.  The pair were joined by Paddy Casey, Pat Barrett and the not-so-secret special guest Damien Dempsey for Raging Fire.

The centrepiece of the night followed, as Jacomo from Stay Human Collective introduced a girl from Palestine, who read a hard-hitting poem, followed by a video from Gaza.  Many in the crowd were eagerly anticipating Damien Dempsey, and he delivered with rousing versions of Colony, Almighty Love and Negative Vibes, the last of these, he definitely dispelled with his stage presence.

The emotional highlight of the night was a set by Brian Brannigan.  Joined by Tony and Sid from the Brilliant Trees, he sang his well-crafted A Lazarus Soul songs, The Dealers, an unaccompanied Black & Amber, and Long Balconies, lumps in the throat all round.  They also included the ‘national anthem of Finglas’, Brilliant Trees’ Home.  Brannigan sings his songs with extraordinary passion, and it was a definite high point.

Although much of the crowd had dissipated at this stage, they missed a finale with Paddy Casey and his daughter Saoirse, who had a fine voice herself.  Playing new songs and old, Fear had many in the crowd dancing along, while Saints and Sinners had plenty in the audience fondly reminiscing, before Jago returned for Bob Dylan’s Oh Sister.  Stefan Murphy returned alongside Dempsey, Barrett, Hynes and co to sing his newly composed Prayer for the Palestine People, and the night rounded off with Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up.

The night was both a celebration of Irish music and a spotlight on the genocide taking place in Gaza.  An enjoyable and important evening.