Watching Ms Lauryn Hill take to the 3Arena stage this Friday will feel like a minor miracle. Here's a star who back in 1998 looked nothing less than the future of hip-hop soul – a five-star rapper who could sing like Billie Holiday and Roberta Flack; a funky pop artist with the spirit of a revolutionary. But life has a nasty habit of firebombing even the most pleasing narratives.
Unimpressed with fame and success, tormented by legal issues and music industry bullshit, belittled by uninformed speculation of her mental health and the role motherhood has played in her life, Hill's unwillingness to record a second studio album has become the stuff of legend. And so the mythology of her classic debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill continues to grow. Now, 20 years on from its release, Hill has taken the record on the road for an anniversary tour.
You never quite know what you’re going to get with Hill. She’s often a frustrating live performer, with her timekeeping, treatment of songs and the sound quality of her sets having been criticised in the past. Nobody should turn up to a Hill show expecting it to be executed with slick precision. But the people will never stop showing up, eternally hopeful they’ll see the kind of musicality, power and righteousness that made her one of the most exciting artists on the planet. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the gig.
Are tickets still available?
At time of writing, yes. Tickets priced €72.75 plus booking fee are still on sale via Ticketmaster.
What time does everything kick off?
Doors open at 6.30pm. Support comes from Digable Planets, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Shabazz Palaces. Hill is due on stage at 8.45pm. Be warned, her tendency to take to the stage late is well known. Just last week she tweeted an apology for tardy starts in Paris and Brussels, while her recent Glasgow set didn't get under way until 10pm.
What is she likely to play?
This is The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th anniversary tour so, unsurprisingly, the setlist draws heavily, though not exclusively, from that album. Here's what Hill played on November 26th at the Manchester Arena.
- Intro
- Lost Ones
- Everything Is Everything
- Superstar
- When it Hurts So Bad
- Final Hour
- Every Ghetto, Every City
- Forgive Them Father
- Ex-Factor
- Can't Take My Eyes Off You
- To Zion
- Tell Him
- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
- Doo Wop (That Thing)
- Killing Me Softly With His Song
- Nice for What (Drake cover)
How do I get there?
You are encouraged to leave the car at home and travel via the Luas Red Line or Dublin Bus. The 151 operates every 10 minutes during rush hour, and it will drop you off on Castleforbes Road, the closest stop to the venue. The walk in from the centre of town is approximately 2km to 3km. If you are driving, there is limited parking available in the Point Village car park. Expect to see plenty of rickshaws swarming outside the venue after the gig.
Mobility impaired access
To book tickets in the accessible ‘flat seating’ area or in the lower-tiered seating (Block A - Block G), contact Ticketmaster.
What about security?
Bags will be searched upon entry. Prohibited items include professional video cameras and audio recording devices such as iPads/tablets. You can’t bring in bottles, cans, glass vessels, illegal substances, umbrellas, selfie sticks, belt chains, laser pointers, large posters (A3+), large flag poles, alcohol, drinks or food.
Will food and drink be available?
There will be food stalls and bars inside the venue. A valid photo ID may be required to buy alcohol.
