This is the sixth year that 2FM's Moloney after Midnight show held a Christmas party that literally rocks. Guests from the year's shows, live acts and assorted friends were all invited down to Whelan's on Monday night to drink and be merry, play a few tunes and get recorded while they were at it; the result will be the Moloney after Mid- night Christmas Programme. Such is the popularity of the annual hooley that the show's producer, Maggie Stapleton, now gets RSVPs before she even sends out her invitations. This year's official musicians included Kaydee, Juliet Turner, Kila, Kieran Goss and Picture House. The lads from this last band actually asked Maggie if they could play the Christmas show at last year's party - Maggie agreed, little knowing the stellar year Picture House would have, with a new album selling well, billions of gigs and a huge following in Germany building up during the year.
The rest of the crowd included singer Leslie Dowdall; singer Paul Brady; Welsh crooner David Gray and his band, who were in town for the week; a huge crew of Fair City regulars; members of Blink and Aslan; Ronnie Drew; and a clutch of 2FM DJs who treat the Moloney after Midnight bash as the first official office party. So it was hardly surprising that when all the musicians in the audience were invited up to join Picture House in the final song of the evening, Jumpin' Jack Flash, there was hardly any room on the stage.
After all the recording equipment was rolled up and stored away, the unofficial party moved on to the Harcourt Hotel where the real session continued long into the night.