Gavin James has been confirmed as the bill topper at the Government’s Pilot Music Festival, which will now take place in IMMA Ireland aka the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham on Saturday July 3.

The venue will operate to a capacity of 3,500 for the event. Tickets will be sold in Pods of either 4 or 6 persons and are not transferrable. Lead person contact details must be provided and if required entire party for HSE contact tracing.

A Special Note in the official press release states that “rapid antigen testing will be a requirement of entry to this event. Health specialists will conduct antigen tests prior to the event. Further details of this will be provided to ticketholders in advance.”

The bill will also feature some of the country’s hottest artists with Lyra, current Hot Press cover star Denise Chaila, Wild Youth, Sharon Shannon and Wyvern Lingo (all of whom have appeared on the cover of Hot Press), performing full sets. Ireland’s first music festival in over 15 months will be hosted by The 2 Johnnies.

An over-18s ID will be required for the show.

"I’m so happy to have been asked to perform at this gig and to be sharing the stage with all of these amazing artists,” Gavin James told Hot Press. "All of the musicians and all of the crews and every single person that are making this show possible are extremely excited to be getting back to doing what they love.

"I’m doing this performance as I believe it’s a step forward for the live music industry in Ireland and it’s great to see the Government's introduction of testing at the concert. I hope after these pilot shows, a very clear road map for a return of full capacity live shows and events will be given."

Minister Catherine Martin has also commented that she is "delighted to announce this music festival hosted by IMMA at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the first such event in almost 16 months."

"The RHK is an iconic venue for live music and this marks a significant step forward towards larger gigs in the coming months, subject to the public health situation," she resumes. “The line-up is fantastic and there will be 3,500 fans on the night, enjoying a very exciting range of Irish talent. I have set aside 500 free tickets for frontline health care workers as a gesture of thanks for their hard work and dedication during the pandemic. Their commitment in these unbelievably challenging times has been truly inspiring and something which I know we all appreciate.

“I would like to thank MCD and IMMA for working with myself and my Department to bring this exciting gig to fruition.

“These pilot events are critical on the road to reopening live entertainment and will help the Government to plan for the safe management of events whilst Covid is still circulating in our communities and build confidence in the guidance and event management protocols developed to keep everyone safe”.

“To that end, social distancing will be reduced to one metre; and I am now also introducing rapid testing for concert goers and staff.

“The purpose of these events is to build the road back to the safe and full recovery of live performances and sporting events and establish confidence in the guidance and event management protocols developed for the sector. The use of antigen tests is to help consider the logistics of them as a means of gaining entry to live events as the sector reopens.”

This coming Saturday, June 26th, had originally been regarded as the most likely date for the pilot festival gig. However, the meticulous planning required for the event was a factor in pushing the date back – with the added benefit of avoiding a clash with Pride festivities in Dublin this weekend. The Coronas and Kodaline had been widely touted as likely participants, but those rumours have now been finally put to bed.

The pilot show, which is being run in conjunction with MCD Productions, and will take place at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin on Saturday 3rd July 2021.

Gates open at 15.00hrs with the first act on stage at 15.30hrs. Times are subject to change.

Tickets priced €39.50 (subject to a Ticketmaster service charge) go on sale this Friday, June 25, at 9am from Ticketmaster.ie

Gavin James’ new single ‘Sober’ is out now.