Alex Warren at The Iveagh Gardens, Dublin on Thursday July 17th, 2025 

Viral sensation Alex Warren and his band brought their infectious hits to a fully packed Iveagh Gardens, delivering a gig that’s sure to inspire many back to school essays this autumn. In an unlikely turn of events for Dublin, the evening’s forecast rain held off, leaving the crowd to enjoy the music in comfort.

Kicking off the evening, American singer-songwriter Medium Build dazzled the audience with his honest lyrics and powerful vocals. While not as globally recognised as the headliner, Medium Build undoubtedly deserves just as much attention. Through his music, he offers a raw glimpse into his mind, etching deeply personal stories onto the hearts of his listeners. At one point, he candidly asked the crowd who had experienced a soul-crushing heartbreak before launching into his poignant track, ‘White Male Privilege’. He sings as if releasing inner demons with every guttural line, an impressive feat as he seamlessly transitions between confronting deep emotions that frame the human experience and engaging in easy, funny banter that instantly wins the crowd over.

As the stage was prepared for Alex Warren, the air bristled with anticipation. His band took their places, and the excitement in the park was palpable. Warren immediately commanded the stage, belting out the opening lines of his hit song, Burning. He had the entire crowd singing along instantly, a testament to their dedication, especially when he admitted to a few nights of singing in a row and appreciated their vocal support for the first chorus.

Warren’s voice permeated the park, casting a spell across the thousands gathered to witness this global phenomenon. The production didn’t disappoint either, with blazing fire cannons adding a dynamic touch, a full light setup, and impressive use of screens, ensuring even those lingering at the back of the park could catch a glimpse of the main action.

Warren’s rise to fame, cultivated over years on TikTok, is a compelling story. After losing his dad at a young age and being kicked out of his family home at 18, he spent time living on friends’ sofas and in his car. He began independently releasing music in 2021 and signed a record deal in 2022. In the past two years, his music has captured the hearts of many. Most of his songs, inspired by the gospel music he grew up on and his own marriage, would be perfectly suited for a wedding.

It’s hard not to describe every song as a crowd-pleaser; Warren has clearly cultivated a massive base of dedicated fans. Among them were many school-aged kids perched on their parent’s shoulders, having the time of their lives. He launched into ‘Before You Leave Me’, and alongside the screaming crowd, the drums kicked in, igniting the dancing. It was impressive how quickly the crowd was captivated by the performers on stage, showcasing the immense adoration people have for Alex and his music. He was quick to show gratitude to his band, a well-deserved acknowledgement as they truly brought the set to life. Midway through the set, he invited Medium Build back on stage for a rendition of Hall & Oates’ ‘Rich Girl’, a moment that surely
pleased many of the parents in attendance.

While the set was incredibly popular, with song after song met with pure adoration, it would be great to see Warren push his lyrical boundaries as, sonically, he largely sticks to familiar sounds. As he continues to grow as a musician, there’s room for him to branch out further. Nevertheless, his fans were thrilled to hear him belt out songs like ‘Bloodline’ and the culminating track, ‘Ordinary’, even if he finished the set before 10 PM which no doubt pleased the aforementioned parents.