A Final Farewell: The Wolfe Tones At Finsbury Park Review

Words: Rosie Russell

Finsbury Park on the 5th of July was flooded with copious amounts of rain, farmer tans and GAA jerseys, and the last London performance of The Wolfe Tones. A sold-out show in a London Irish stronghold within the city it was hailed to be an amazing day/night. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine prior to the performance frontman Brian Warfield said ‘It’s going to be a massive celebration of the London Irish’; and a celebration it was; for me seeing this band that had an almost Dubliner like status when it came to backroom trad sessions in my grandparents’ house this felt like the best type of goodbye the band could give to their loyal London Irish followers after a long 60 years.

For those not aware of the impact of this band, they are named after Theobald Wolfe Tone, one of the leaders during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and they are most notable for their rebel songs fighting for the rights and freedom of Irish people during issues such as the troubles; however, they gained a massive link to the London Irish who helped increase the band’s popularity through the years as it linked them to their heritage; joining the likes of The Dubliners and London Irish band The Pogues.

With the increase of Irish nationalism and a sense of republicanism in recent music groups such as the Belfast band ‘Kneecap’ and Dublin band ‘Fontaines DC;’ I found it incredibly important that The Wolfe Tones decided to ‘Grace’ us with one last gig in the UK before retiring after a long 60 years.

Being treated to artists such as Scratch, The High Kings and Sharon Shannon that helped put everyone in the form for a party; the set list carried this party on and included so many fan favourites such as ‘Celtic Symphony’ and ‘Grace.’ The songs distracted the audience from the biblical amount of rain poured onto the field, in true Irish fashion. The passion for the band seeped through the audience and it was clear everyone there knew we were all witnessing a moment in history; being able to say in 20 – 30 years ‘I saw their last gig’; chanting and singing along to every word, it was clear standing amongst them all that this was a triumph for the band.