Bruno Mars is probably the best and most likable male pop star out there. Besides the fact that killer songs such as Uptown Funk, Finesse, That's What I Like and 24K Magic make their way into your head and never, ever leave, he's an incredibly talented musician – as he showed with some impressive guitar playing in the Prince tribute at the 2017 Grammys.
His old-school charm, smooth dance moves, eye-catching band and rake of tunes are so entertaining that no big production is required to hold your attention.
Here’s everything you need to know about his concert at Marlay Park on Thursday:
Are tickets still available?
Yes, for €89.50, on ticketmaster.ie.
What time does everything kick off?
The gates open at 5.30pm, and the first act of the evening, Joe Jonas’s DNCE, are due on stage at 6.15pm. Sister Sledge follow at 7.30pm, and 8.30pm DJ Rashida will get you in the mood for Mars himself, who is due on stage at 9pm.
What will Bruno Mars play?
Here’s his set list from 24K Magic World Tour concert in Poland on July 7th
- Finesse
- 24K Magic
- Treasure
- Perm
- Calling All My Lovelies
- Chunky
- That's What I Like
- Versace On The Floor
- Marry You
- Drum Solo
- Runaway Baby
- When I Was Your Man
- Grenade
- Locked Out of Heaven
- Just The Way You Are
- Encore: Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson cover)
What will the weather be like?
The forecast is for a warm evening, with temperatures reaching 21 degrees. Remembers that parasols and umbrellas are banned, dress appropriately for this outdoor event, and stay topped up with suncream and water.
How do I get there – and get home?
The only route for pedestrians into Marlay Park will be the Grange Road entrance. As for getting to Grange Road to begin with (the gig organisers recommend adding at least two hours to your normal travel time), here’s how to do it as easily as possible.
- By Luas The closest stop is Dundrum, a good 30-minute ride from St Stephen's Green. A shuttle bus will run between Dundrum Luas stop and Stonemasons Way, near the festival entrance, every 30 minutes or so from 1pm until 6.30pm. Return tickets cost €8 online or €10 on the day (from the bus stop by Dundrum Luas stop). Buses will return to Dundrum Luas stop between 10.30pm and midnight, leaving as soon as they are full, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. The last return Luas towards Broombridge is at 12.25am; the last Luas towards Sandyford is at 12.45am.
- By taxi Taxis will be able to drop off and pick up passengers at Our Lady's national school on Ballinteer Avenue.
- By bus Dublin Bus isn't running any extra services, so best to steer clear and use other forms of transport.
- By shuttle bus Marathon Travel (bushiredublin.net) is running a shuttle bus (from Custom House Quay; you can buy tickets (€15) online at bushiredublin.net or at Custom House Quay. Buses will start to return from Marlay Park at 10.30pm, leaving as soon as they are full – so get back to them as early as you can.
- By private bus or coach A range of companies are running services to and from Marlay Park; follow the hyperlinks for prices and routes: Matthew's Coach Hire, Sevens Cabs & Coach Hire and Halpenny Travel (all based in Co Louth); JJ Kavanagh & Sons (based in Co Kilkenny, with additional services from surrounding counties); Wexford Bus; Ulsterbus; and Andy's of Naas (Co Kildare).
I'm taking the car. What's the best way to there?
Given all the extra traffic, keep an eye on AA Roadwatch tweets for updates. The site car park, which has limited spaces, will open an hour before the general opening time indicated on your ticket. Do not park illegally anywhere in the area, as your car is liable to be clamped or towed.
- From Dublin city centre Via Ranelagh, Clonskeagh, Goatstown and Sandyford to Grange Road, then on to College Road for the site car park.
- From the M50 Leave the motorway at junction 12 and take the R113 towards Knocklyon and Firhouse. Follow Scholarstown Road, Ballyboden Way and Taylors Lane, then turn right on to Whitechurch Road and left on to College Road. The car-park entrance is off College Road.
- What if I'm dropping someone to the concert or picking them up afterwards? The recommended drop-off and pick-up point is the SuperValu supermarket on Ballinteer Avenue. (Buses, coaches and minibuses must drop off and pick up at the College Road car park instead.)
What about disabled access?
There will be a viewing platform with accessible Portaloos nearby. Disabled parking is accessed via College Road. If you want to park here email access@festivalrepublic.com to register (and for other non-ticket-related enquiries).
If you have accessible-ticket queries you can contact Ticketmaster on 0818-903001 (from the Republic of Ireland), 0333-3219996 (from Northern Ireland and Britain) or 00-353-818-903001 (from anywhere else).
What about security?
All gig-goers will be searched at the entrance. To avoid long queues, the promoters say, bring as little as possible with you – certainly no backpacks or larger handbags, as they may turn you away without a refund. (Bear in mind more generally that if you leave the venue you won’t be allowed back in.) The venue has no cloakroom or storage facilities.
The promoters have issued a long list of banned items. They include aerosols/air horns, animals (other than registered guide or hearing dogs), alcohol, any item that may reasonably be considered a weapon, audio recorders, backpacks/large bags/waistpacks, banners with poles or poles of any kind, bottles, cans, cameras with detachable lens or recording equipment, camping equipment, Chinese or sky lanterns, cool boxes or large containers, crash helmets or protective headwear, body armour or protective clothing, deckchairs, drumsticks, excessive amounts or numbers of batteries, wire, cables or electronical components, fireworks and flares, flagpoles, garden furniture, folding chairs or shooting sticks, glass, GoPro-style cameras, illegal substances/illegal merchandise of any description, iPads, large umbrellas, large chains, spiked bracelets or wallet chains, large flags, placards or posters (including sticks), light sabres, lasers/laser pens or torches, LED headbands, wristbands, glow sticks or light-emitting objects of any kind (except mobile phones), liquids (except uncapped bottles of water containing no more than 500ml), nitrous oxide, portable laser equipment and pens, selfie sticks, smoke canisters, sound systems, spray cans, tridents, unauthorised professional film or video equipment, unofficial tabards or reflective jackets.
Health and safety
Stay hydrated and top up with suncream regularly. There will be water on site, and festival medics will have suncream, but pack your own too.
The Garda says it will operate a zero-tolerance policy on the drinking of alcohol in public areas and on any illegal, criminal or antisocial behaviour. Respect the property and privacy of local residents, and use the toilets that have been provided; don’t urinate in public.
At the venue, no form of antisocial behaviour, including crowd surfing, moshing and public urination, will be tolerated; the promoter reserves the right to refuse admission to, or remove from, the venue anyone taking part in these activities, without a refund.
When you are leaving the venue, move slowly and quietly and follow stewards’ directions. Do not rush towards the exits; wait until the main crowd disperses before leaving.
Will alcohol and food be available?
Yes, there’ll be plenty of food stalls and bars.
Are there any age limits?
Under-16s must be accompanied by a parent or over-18 guardian; the promoter reserves the right to refuse admission. Bring ID: your passport, Garda age card or driving licence if you’re over 18. If you’re under 18, bring your school or college ID Plus or a colour copy of your (valid) passport. All bars will be operating a Challenge 21 policy, so bring your ID if you want a tipple.
Credit-card collections and guest-list tickets
You can pick up tickets booked by credit card, plus guest-list tickets, at the entrance off Grange Road, opposite Centra and Lidl, and College Road arena entrance, near the coach and car parks.
Contactless payment
Visa will be providing contactless card-payment facilities at the site bars.
