Fanning at Whelan’s returns for its sixth season tonight (Saturday 6th December) with performances from The Waterboys, Bold Love, KhakiKid, Nell Mescal and Amble.

“It’s great to be back in Whelan’s for a sixth time – and there is no fear of us running out of amazing talent to share! The show is a testament to how the Irish music scene is going from strength to strength. Thank you to Guinness and Whelan’s for their continued support,” said Dave Fanning. 

Alongside the live performances recorded in Whelan’s Dave will chat to The Waterboys’ Mike Scott about their latest album ‘Life, Death and Dennis Hopper’. “He was a famous American actor and trailblazer and he was present at all these hinge moments in popular culture – he was in Rebel Without a Cause with James Dean and hung out with Elvis when he broke through in the ‘50s,” explains Mike, who also reminisces about their seminal album ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ revealing he recently found around 80 tapes from the recording sessions.

“I found a lot of recordings that nobody remembers … there’s some absolutely beautiful music and I’ve put it together as a new double album – well, it’s three vinyl, two CDs – and it’s coming out next year, it’s called The Lost Fisherman’s Blues Recordings,” Mike tells Dave.

Other acts appearing on Season Six of Fanning at Whelan’s include Grammy award winner FINNEAS, actor and musician Damien Lewis, Miles Kane, Declan McKenna, and country hot shot Waylon Wyatt.

There’s notable appearances from established Irish artists such as The Divine Comedy and Declan O’Rourke, breakout stars Florence Road, The Scratch and TikTok sensation Aimee Carty, alongside Irish hip hop sensation Curtisy, dark folk sensation Madra Salach, art rock outfit Theatre and singer/songwriters Ellie O’Neill and Darren Kiely.

Episode One of Fanning at Whelan’s at 10pm on Saturday 6th December on Virgin Media Play and Virgin Media Two. Repeated at 11pm on Thursday 11th December on Virgin Media One.