Film critic, broadcaster, and musician Mark Kermode is stepping out of the cinema and back into the noise. On Wednesday 22nd January, Kermode and his band The Gang of Three bring their thrilling live show to Whelan’s, Dublin’s iconic venue, for a night of raw post-punk energy and vintage sound.
Gang of Three is a powerful tribute to the legendary English post-punk band Gang of Four. Formed by a shared love for the raw energy and political edge of the originals, Gang of Three brings the sound, spirit, and message of Gang of Four back to life on stage.
Gang of Four emerged from Leeds in 1976, blending punk rock with funk, dub, and razor-sharp political commentary. Their groundbreaking debut album, Entertainment! (1979), is widely hailed as one of the most influential records of the post-punk era. It was ranked #5 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest punk albums of all time and #273 on their 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. With its mix of jagged guitar lines, driving rhythms, and lyrics that took aim at consumerism, war, and inequality, Entertainment! remains a landmark in political music.
Gang of Three channels that same stripped-down intensity and angular funk, delivering faithful renditions of Entertainment! in its entirety. The band — Mark Kermode on bass, Simon Booth on guitar, and Stephen Hiscock on drums — plays with conviction, precision, and a clear reverence for the material, while injecting their own raw performance energy that makes each gig feel alive and urgent.
Expect an evening of searing riffs, infectious grooves, and thought-provoking lyrics that feel as relevant now as they did four decades ago. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to post-punk, Gang of Three delivers a high-energy, emotionally charged show that captures the revolutionary sound and spirit of Gang of Four.
Tickets are on sale now from Whelan’s, Dublin 2. Don’t miss this one-off chance to experience Entertainment! — live, loud, and unfiltered.
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