'A visionary', 'Inspirational': Tributes paid to well-known music promoter John Reynolds

“Ireland is less today for his passing,” Leo Varadkar said.

LAST UPDATE | Oct 26th 2018, 1:57 PM

TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to music promoter John Reynolds who died at his home in Dublin at the age of 52 yesterday.

Reynolds was one of Ireland’s leading independent festival and concert promoters, whose company POD founded festivals including Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit and Metropolis.

The company also operated the POD nightclub at the historic Harcourt Street train station for almost two decades before it closed in 2012.

In a statement issued yesterday evening, Reynolds’ family expressed “great sadness” at his sudden death at his home in Milltown, Dublin.

They added that funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days, and requested privacy at this time.

Tributes have been pouring in for Reynolds, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar saying: “Ireland is less today for his passing.”

Very sorry to hear the news. Man who gave us all so many great experiences from the POD to EP. Ireland is less today for his passing. https://t.co/UqHC5SDizS
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) October 26, 2018

Leo Varadkar / Twitter

“Just heard about John Reynolds, my condolences to his family and friends. You may not have heard of John before, but if you’ve been to Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit, shows at Pod venues in Dublin, then you know John’s work,” singer James Vincent McMorrow tweeted.

“He gave me a lot of shows when I was starting out. So sad. RIP.”

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The Stunning’s Steven Wall said: “Saddened to hear of the death of John Reynolds. One of the first gigs he promoted was The Stunning in Moate, Co Westmeath around 1993.

“He changed the face of festivals in Ireland with Electric Picnic and was about to do it all again with All Together Now. RIP.”

Saddened to hear of the death of John Reynolds. One of the first gigs he promoted was The Stunning in Moate, Co. Westmeath around 1993. He changed the face of festivals in Ireland with #ElectricPicnic & was about to do it all again with #AllTogetherNow. RIP.
— Steve Wall (@stevethewall) October 25, 2018

Steve Wall / Twitter

Very sad to hear about John Reynolds. He changed the game for festivals here. I did my first gigs in Dublin in the Pod for him & Martin Thomas (RIP), and he asked me to play a huge show with Destinys Child and later the EP & more recently All together now. May he Rest In Peace
— Stevie G (@StevieGrainger) October 25, 2018

Stevie G / Twitter

Economist David McWilliams tweeted that he is “completely devastated at the death of an old, old friend”.

“I can’t really take it in. Far too soon. Can still hear him at the kitchen table here, telling stories, full of infectious enthusiasm, planning the next festival. Heartbroken.”

I am completely devastated at the death of an old, old friend tonight, John Reynolds. I can't really take it in. Far too soon. Can still hear him at the kitchen table here, telling stories, full of infectious enthusiasm, planning the next festival. Heartbroken. RIP Gino.
— David McWilliams (@davidmcw) October 25, 2018

David McWilliams / Twitter

Hard to take in the news tonight of the passing of John Reynolds. A true giant of Irish Music, he shaped many of our best loved festivals and music venues and raised the bar for live music. Deepest sympathies to all his family and friends.
— Whelan's (@whelanslive) October 25, 2018

Whelan's / Twitter

Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan said Reynolds was “a visionary”.

“Deepest sympathies to the family and friends of John Reynolds. He was a creative force on the Irish music scene,” she said.

“A visionary who was one of our leading independent festival and concert promoters. Suaimhneas síoraí dhá anam.”

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley added: “Really sad news – John was such a positive, bright and inspirational guy – always a pleasure to meet and chat with – achieved so much in a short life – condolences to his family.”

It has also been announced that this weekend’s Metropolis Festival at the RDS Arena will go ahead as planned.

With reporting by Órla Ryan

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