The Vibe for Philo was a one-day festival/concert that was held yearly as a tribute to

Thin Lizzy Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. The band initially consisted of bass guitarist, lead vocalist and principal songwriter Phil Lynott, drummer Brian Downey, guitarist Eric Bell and organist Eric Wrixon although Wr ...

frontman

Phil Lynott Philip Parris Lynott (, ; 20 August 1949 – 4 January 1986) was an Irish musician, songwriter, and poet. He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, bassist, and primary songwriter for the hard rock band Thin Lizzy. He was known for his distinctive ...

, on 4 January, the anniversary of his death. It was first organised in 1987 by Lynott's friend Smiley Bolger who ran it to its announced conclusion in 2023. Each year a variety of musicians performed, including Thin Lizzy tribute bands as well as members of bands Phil played in and reformed versions of these bands, such as when a re-formed version of Thin Lizzy performed in 1996. Each year the festival had a title, usually drawn from that of a Thin Lizzy song. The showcase has produced some memorable performances including then unknowns such as

Damien Dempsey Damien Dempsey (born 9 June 1975) is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk contemporary lyrics that deliver social and political commentaries on Irish society. Damien sings in his native, working-class accent in the Eng ...

Paddy Casey Paddy Casey is an Irish singer-songwriter from Crumlin, Dublin. Biography He received his first guitar when he was 12 and left home soon after and began busking and gigging for about 12 years. At about the age of 24 he was approached by Sony ...

, Leanne Hart and Conor McGouran ( Xerath/The Enigma Division). Highlights are uploaded to YouTube. The final festival, the 36th, was called "This Is the One".

Vibe for Philo by year

2008 - "Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed"

Venue: The Button Factory
Artists/Speakers: Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, Gnasher, The Southbound Band, Tizz Lizzy, Glyder

2009 - "Dancing in the Moonlight"

Venue: The Button Factory
Artists/Speakers: Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, The Lizzyboys, Matt & Phil (of Tizz Lizzy), John Conlon (of Thin az Lizzy), Derek Herebert, Dave McGuinness, Colm Querney, Mark Adams, Paul Toal, Robbie Bray, Richie Buckley, Emerald, Renegade, Nell Bryden

2010 - "Running Back"

Venue: The Button Factory
Artists/Speakers: Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, Yellow Pearl, Metalita, Tupelo, Barry Whyte Band, Silverbird, Keith Grogan & John Nesbitt, The Quicksand Band, Dave Morrissey

2011 - "Black Rose"

Venue:

Vicar Street Vicar Street is a concert, performing arts centre and events venue in Dublin, Ireland. Located at Thomas Street, Dublin 8, Vicar Street has capacity for 1,050 people for seated performances and 1,500 people for standing gigs. The venue is ow ...

Artists/Speakers:

Eric Bell Eric Robin Bell (born 3 September 1947) is a Northern Irish rock and blues musician, best known as a founding member and the original guitarist of the rock group Thin Lizzy, of which he was a member from 1969 to 1973. After his time in Thin Li ...

, Brian Robertson Band, Chris Laney, Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, Matt'n'Phil, The Pat McManus Band, Conor McGouran Quartet, Gnasher, Mark Dignam, Leanne Harte, Tony Powell,

Glen Hansard Glen James Hansard (born 21 April 1970) is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician. Since 1990, he has been the frontman of the Irish rock band The Frames, with whom he has released six studio albums, four of which have charted in the top ten o ...

2012 - "Are You Ready?"

Venue: The Button Factory
Artists/Speakers: Doish Nagle's Grand Slam, The Thin Lizzy Experience,

Republic of Loose Republic of Loose were an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 2001, the band formerly consisted of lead vocalist Mick Pyro, bassist and vocalist Benjamin Loose, keyboardist Deco, guitarists and vocalists Dave Pyro and Brez, and drummer Coz ...

, The Low Riders, Smiles Bolger

2013 - "Dublin"

Venue: The Button Factory
Artists/Speakers: Faither Jack, The Low Riders, Conor McGouran and The Harley's, The Thin Lizzy Experience, Dubh Linn Boys

2014 - "Fight or Fall"

Venue:

Artists/Speakers: Smiles Bolger, Brenny Bonass & Shea Fitzgerald, The Lizzy Experience, Sal Vitro, Pat Coldrick & Dick Farrelly, The Low Riders, Philomena Lynott, Dizzy Lizzy

2015 - "Get Out Of Here"

Venue:

Artists/Speakers: Pat McManus, The Low Riders, Bad Reputation, The Dark Lanes, Conor Scott, The Barley Mob, The Dunford Brothers

2016 - "The Sun Goes Down"

Venue:

Artists/Speakers: Eric Bell Trio, Brian Downey, The Soul Brothers, The Low Riders, Parris, The Hoodoos feat. John Conton, Mongoose, Fiach Moriarty

2017 - "Saga of the Ageing Orphan"

2018 - "Here I Go Again"

2019 - "With Love"

2023 – "This Is the One"

References

External links

Official website
{{Rock festivals Music festivals established in 1987 Rock festivals in Ireland Jam band festivals