For the latest episode of In The Spotlight, Bill Cummings is joined by Dylan Murphy Irish music journalist and presenter of a new podcast produced in association with The Tenth Man calledI Was There.
 
It tells the stories of iconic gigs in Ireland through the voices of the people who were there—journalists, photographers, promoters, and more. 

The first episode  dives into Bob Marley’s 1980 Dalymount Park gig, which nearly didn’t happen, and another revisits Nirvana opening for Sonic Youth to a half-empty Sir Henry’s in 1991. 

Episode 3 explores Dolores O’Riordan’s transformative first gig with The Cranberries after joining the band in 1990. From her unforgettable audition to the creation of “Linger,” this episode celebrates her legacy and the rise of Irish music in the ‘90s. 

In this podcast Bill Cummings asks Murphy about the genesis of the podcast, the guests that help tell the stories of each legendary gig across each episode. They also discuss songs they have chosen by Bob Marley, Nirvana and The Cranberries, the current renaissance in the Irish music scene, artists that are exciting them and more.  Playlist here.

“Blending meticulous research with compelling storytelling, I Was There offers a deep dive into the energy and chaos of live music history. This podcast is a celebration of the shows that defined not just music but cultural movements, all through the uniquely Irish lens that ties these episodes together. It is also a reminder of the ever-growing disappearance of the spaces that made these moments possible, and the urgent need to cherish and protect the venues that remain.”

The series is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms, follow The Tenth Man on Instagram @tenthmanhello.