Phil Collins at the Aviva: Everything you need to know

Getting there, line-up, stage times, possible set list and more

Certainly not dead yet: Phil Collins. Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

Jennifer Gannon

Fri Jun 23 2017 - 16:00

Sir Philip of Collins is back on the road having recovered from his fall in a London hotel room he's back to full health on his hilariously titled (and hopefully not karmic) Not Dead Yet tour. Although it possibly should be re-titled: You Are Dead Inside if You Do Not Like At Least One Phil Collins Song (might have been a bit long for the posters), who could not be moved by the saxy drama and fury of Something Happened on the Way to Heaven? Who has not shoulder-shimmed onto the dancefloor to Sussudio? Or drunkenly serenaded a paramour to Groovy Kind of Love?

Phil has been the background noise to our lives whether you like it or not he’s subliminally circumnavigated your soul, he was there on your Dad’s car radio, your Auntie’s wedding, that one summer when it was nice out all the time and Sunkist was first available in shops. You cannot deny it, so you’re better off bowing down to the crusty curmudgeon, the perennial Dad rattling his car keys outside the disco.

It's time to make peace with yourself and give in to the joy of wailing along to Easy Lover or air-drumming to In the Air Tonight like the gorilla on the Dairy Milk ad, unleash the beast in the company of a stadium full of like-minded souls.

Are tickets still available?
Standing tickets are sold out but there are a limited number of seating tickets available for the Aviva gig at an eye-watering €144 (Phil has to keep himself in comfortable slacks somehow eh?)

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What time does it kick off at?
Gates open at 5.30pm. Get your vocal chords warmed up with a bit of an emosh sing-along to The Living Years with soft-rockers Mike and The Mechanics at 5.30pm then genuflect at the altar of pop perfection as Blondie take to the stage at 7.20pm before big Philo makes his arrival at 8.50pm.

How do I get there?
There is no parking available at the stadium so ticket holders are advised to use public transport. The easiest way to arrive at the Aviva is by DART directly to the Landsdowne Stadium stop but be sure to leave in plenty of time to avoid feeling and looking like a crumpled up piece of paper when you get there. From Dublin city centre, you can take the southbound DART from Pearse Station, Tara St Station or Connolly Station.

The 4,7 and 8 buses from O’Connell Bridge are on the Ballsbridge route and are a five-minute walk to the stadium.

Weather
As usual in Ireland, there will be approximately four seasons in a day with temperatures expect to be about 17/18 degrees with cloud and some showers. As it is outdoors it's best to layer yourself up and remain hopeful in removing those layers as the night progresses (oo-er!)

Security
As with all gigs at this time, security will be strict and MCD are advising not to bring backpacks or large bags at all as you may be refused entry, only A4 size bags and purses will be permitted. There is no cloakroom available either so now is the time to make Forty Coats a summer fashion inspiration. Yet again, it's better to arrive in nice time to avoid the security queues no-one wants the remorse of missing Mike & the Mechanics doing AOR anthem Over My Shoulder because they just had to stuff some useless items in a stupid bag.

What's he likely to play?
Excitingly, this is a greatest hits tour so expect to a colossal thrill-ride from Philly's back catalogue with some drum solos thrown in for good measure. For those of you who want to plan your toilet breaks and ready yourself here's a setlist from Phil's recent night in Paris.