Aslan

Formed in Dublin in 1982, Aslan are one of Ireland’s most enduring rock bands. Taking their name from the heroic lion in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia (Aslan being the Turkish word for “lion”), the band emerged from the working-class communities of Finglas and Ballymun on Dublin’s Northside, building a reputation for powerful songs, honest storytelling and electrifying live performances.

Their breakthrough came in 1986 with their debut single, This Is. The song became a major hit in Ireland and quickly drew attention across the Irish Sea, leading to performances in the UK and establishing Aslan as one of the most promising Irish acts of their generation.

In 1988, the band released their debut album, Feel No Shame, which reached No. 1 on the Irish Albums Chart and achieved Gold status within months. Despite this rapid rise, Aslan split up in August of that year, bringing an abrupt end to their first period of success.

On 11 July 1993, the original members reunited for what was intended to be a one-off charity concert in Finglas. The performance rekindled the band’s chemistry and opened a remarkable second chapter. Their single Crazy World reached No. 4 on the Irish Singles Chart and stayed in the charts for three months, becoming one of their best-loved songs. Its follow-up, Where’s the Sun, climbed to No. 3.

The resurgence continued with Goodbye Charlie Moonhead in 1994, an album that reached the Irish Top 10 and went Gold. It was followed by Here Comes Lucy Jones (1997), Waiting for This Madness to End (2001), For Some Strange Reason (2007) and Nudie Books and Frenchies (2012). Throughout their career, Aslan have combined chart success with a reputation for exceptional live shows and a devoted following spanning generations.

Their achievements include multiple No. 1 albums, platinum and multi-platinum records, sold-out performances at Dublin’s Vicar Street and the Point Theatre, and tours in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands. In 1999, their live album and concert film Made in Dublin captured five sold-out nights at Vicar Street; both releases reached No. 1 in Ireland, cementing the band’s place in the country’s musical history. In 2008, Aslan were named Best Irish Band at the Meteor Awards.

In June 2023, Aslan lost their much-loved frontman, Christy Dignam, who died following a long illness. His extraordinary voice, unmistakable presence and deeply personal connection with audiences were central to the band’s identity, and his legacy remains inseparable from Aslan’s music and from the generations of fans who grew up with their songs.

Determined to keep that music alive, founding members Joe Jewell, Billy McGuinness and Alan Downey welcomed singer Lee Tomkins to the band at the end of 2023. Aslan began this new chapter with live performances across Ireland in 2024, honouring their history while bringing renewed energy and a fresh interpretation to their catalogue. That same year, they joined Coldplay’s Chris Martin on stage at Dublin’s Croke Park to perform Crazy World in front of more than 80,000 people.

With Lee Tomkins on vocals and the founding members carrying the journey forward, Aslan honour Christy Dignam’s legacy while bringing their music to a new era, driven by the songs, the performances and the loyal fans who have made them part of Ireland’s musical fabric.

Released in 1996, Goodbye Charlie Moonhead is Aslan's latest album, and the single I Need a Little Time followed in 2014. On Eirewave you'll hear 15 of their songs, from This Is (1986) all the way to Hold On (2020), and we played Crazy World today. The next chance to see them live is on 17 December 2026 at The Limelight 2, Belfast.