Music

Nile Rodgers and Chic at Malahide Castle: Everything you need to know

Tickets, stage times, what will they play, how to get there and more

Nile Rodgers & Chic: good times guaranteed at Malahide Castle on Saturday. Photograph: Kyle Grillot /AFP/Getty Images

Louise Bruton
Tue Jun 12 2018 - 17:00

As the final instalment of the Malahide Castle concerts, there’s no better way to go out with a bang than in the company of Mr Nile Rodgers and Chic. Chic are now a staple festival booking, drawing in massive crowds not just for the hits but for the shimmering stage presence of the entire ensemble.

Responsible for some of the most important songs of the last 40 years, Rodgers will dip into his extensive back catalogue, celebrating the eras gone by and the friends that he’s made and lost along the way.

Back to Life singers Soul II Soul will be providing support on the night along with Craig David of 7 Days fame and you'd be a damn fool to miss those two.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Nile Rodgers and Chic Malahide Castle gig on Saturday, June 16th.

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Are tickets still available?
They are indeed. See ticketmaster.ie

What time does everything kick off?
Gates open at 4pm. Nile Rodgers & Chic are expected onstage at 8.30pm. Soul II Soul open the show at 6pm, with Craig David on at 7.15pm.

What will the weather be like?
Overnight rain is expected, with cloudy conditions and outbreaks of sunshine. No rain is forecast for later in the afternoon and evening and temperatures are expected to be between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius. As this is an outdoor event, it will take place rain or shine. Check the weather before you leave the house and dress appropriately. Bring suncream, wear outdoor footwear in case of mud and remember that umbrellas are not allowed inside the venue.

What will they play?
Let's hope you have your dancing shoes on – their back catalogue is a stomping treasure trove of pure disco magic. Rodgers also throws in some covers too, such as David Bowie's Let's Dance, on which he played guitar. Here's the setlist from an April concert in Oakland, California.

  • Everybody Dance
  • Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
  • I Want Your Love
  • I'm Coming Out / Upside Down / He's the Greatest Dancer / We Are Family
  • Like a Virgin (Madonna cover)
  • Notorious (Duran Duran cover)
  • My Feet Keep Dancing
  • Get Lucky (Daft Punk cover)
  • Chic Cheer
  • My Forbidden Lover
  • Let's Dance (David Bowie cover)
  • Le Freak
  • Good Times/Rapper's Delight

How do I get there... and get home?

There will be traffic delays in the area and the promoters are strongly urging gig goers to use public transport or carpool. The promoters and the Garda advise that you plan and book your return travel arrangements in advance. Pedestrians will only be permitted into the grounds of Malahide Castle via Hogan's Gate (near Dart station). Vehicles will only be permitted through the back road entrance.

Dart: The closest station to the concert venue is Malahide train station and it is a 10-minute walk from there. City centre Dart locations include Grand Canal Dock, Pearse, Tara Street and Connolly stations. Go to irishrail.ie for more information.

Return journey: Dart and trains will run the following services (these are subject to change): To Dublin City Centre: 22.40, 22.50, 23:05, 23:20, 23:35, 23:45. To Dundalk: 23:15, 23:30

City centre concert bus: For all the concerts at Malahide this year, there will be a direct bus service to George's Quay from the Dublin Road. The area will be clearly signed and stewards can also direct you to the buses. You can buy bus tickets after the concert for €10. You can also pre-book at www.bushiredublin.net

Coaches, private buses and minibuses: Coach, private bus and minibus parking will be available within the grounds of Malahide Castle and access is via Back Road. You must register with the event organisers in advance. Email enquiries@festivalrepublic.com to register with the following information: your name, number of passengers, coach company, name of driver, date and time of arrival and departure.

I’m taking the car, What’s the best route?

There will be very limited parking at the concert venue and the car park opens one hour before the opening time stated on your ticket. There will be traffic in the area so check the AA Roadwatch website for updates. If you park illegally in the area, your car will be clamped and towed.

  • Recommended route Via M50 from Dublin city centre, west and south: Exit the M50 at Junction 3 (signposted M1 Belfast/Airport), continuing onto the R139. At the roundabout, take the second exit, continuing on the R139 for 2.6km. Turn left onto Malahide Road/R107. Continue straight for 4.2km then take a right onto Back Road. Follow signs for car parks which will be on your left.
  • Recommended route via M1 from north: Exit M1 at Junction 4 (signposted R132 Swords/Malahide/Donabate). Keep right, merging onto R132. At the roundabout, take the second exit, keeping on the R132. At the next roundabout take the second exit, staying on R132. Take a slight left, merging onto Swords Road/R106 and continue for 2.9km. Turn right onto Dublin Road/R107, continue straight for 700m and then turn left onto Back Road. Follow signs for car parks which will be on your left.
  • Disabled access: Disabled customer parking is available in a designated area of the car parks, which is accessed via Back Road. Contact access@festivalrepublic.com to register for a space. If you have any other accessible ticket queries, contact Ticketmaster on: Republic of Ireland: 0818-903001; Northern Ireland & UK: 0333-3219996; International Customers: 00353-818903001.

What about security?

Backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in to the Malahide Castle Concerts, only small bags measuring no bigger than A4 (8.27in/21cm × 11.7in/ 29.7cm) will be permitted into the event. Bags will be searched on entry to the event. To keep queues moving, pack as lightly as possible. There will be no cloakroom or storage facilities at the concert venue. Bags must not be left at entrances or surrounding areas and any items left will be removed and disposed of accordingly.

You will also be searched at the entrance to the event which may include a full body pat down and/or use of hand held metal detectors. Any items, which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon, or which may cause danger or disruption to any other persons at the event, will be confiscated. To keep queues moving, pack as lightly as possible.

Banned items include: Garden furniture, deckchairs, fold up chairs or shooting sticks, umbrellas, selfie sticks, flares/fireworks, laser pens, megaphone/air horns, aerosols, spray cans, smoke & gas canisters, nitrous oxide and any associated equipment, glass, drones, Chinese lanterns, sound systems, unofficial tabards/high viz, illegal/unidentifiable substances, “legal highs, herbal highs or NoS, anything that can be perceived as a weapon or which could cause danger or disruption to any other persons at the event, professional cameras with a detachable lens, recording equipment, Go Pros, animals with the exception of guide dogs and excessive amounts of cigarettes.

Will alcohol and food be available?

There will be plenty of bars and food stalls inside the venue. However, you can’t bring alcohol or drinks, except for water and soft drinks that are in a sealed plastic bottle, measuring up to 500ml. There is a strict no alcohol policy implemented on all public transport and private buses travelling to the venue. If you arrive intoxicated to the event, you will not be permitted entry.

The bars operate a Challenge 21 policy and acceptable forms of ID include: passport, Garda Age Card and driving licence. The on-site bars will also have Visa contactless payment facilities, which means that you can pay for anything up to €30 with one tap.

Are there any age limits?

No unaccompanied under 16s are allowed on site. Under 16s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian over 18. Note, you may be asked to prove your age with photo ID or you will be refused admission.