Manx Musician Battles Toothache and Football Fans in 12-Hour Gig for Hospice

Most of us get a bit cranky when we’ve got toothache.

Some of us have a little moan, maybe pop a paracetamol and avoid doing anything too strenuous – like, say, playing a 12-hour gig with no repeated songs and only one break every three hours.

But not Eoin Molyneux.

No, this absolute trooper – and staple of the island’s music scene – powered through a full half-day musical marathon, all in aid of Hospice Isle of Man, while also wrestling with a dodgy molar and a pub full of energetic football fans. Hero behaviour, really.

On Easter Sunday, Eoin kicked off the madness at 12.30pm and didn’t stop strumming, plucking and singing until 12.30am the next day. His only rules? No repeating songs and just 15 minutes of rest every three hours.

We’re exhausted just writing that.

But the real spanner in the works came a few days before the event when a particularly cruel bit of dental drama reared its head.

Eoin Molyneux 12-hour gig for Hospice, Quids Inn, Douglas. Photo by Callum Staley (CJS Photography)

‘Unfortunately, I came down with severe toothache and was put on antibiotics, which made things tough at the start,’ said Eoin, probably through gritted teeth.

‘The first couple of hours were the worst, but once I got halfway through, I’d broken the back of it – then it was actually really good fun.’

Plenty of people popped in throughout the day to cheer him on – including some of Eoin’s own music students and their parents, who proved to be the ultimate hype squad.

But things took a chaotic turn later in the evening when a gang of West Didsbury & Chorlton fans rocked up fresh from their match against FC Isle of Man.

He said: ‘At the end of the evening, a big group of football fans arrived and took things to the next level with crowd surfing and chanting – it turned into an absolutely overwhelming experience.’

Videos, photos, and ‘how on earth did you do that’ messages have been flooding in since the gig, especially from the visiting footy crowd who clearly had a blast.

Eoin Molyneux 12-hour gig for Hospice, Quids Inn, Douglas. Photo by Callum Staley (CJS Photography)

Eoin’s efforts were all in memory of his mum, who was cared for by Hospice Isle of Man towards the end of her life.

‘She was always supportive of me and my music, often coming along to the pubs and gigs I played in and around Chichester while I was at university,’ he said.

‘After my dad passed away, she looked for ways to support both my brother and me, as well as others going through similar loss.

‘She completed a bereavement course and went on to volunteer at the Hospice. When she later became ill, she really appreciated the care and time she spent there.’

He added: ‘I wouldn’t want to speak for her, but I’d like to think she’d be proud of me – if not also shaking her head slightly and saying I was daft for even trying it!’

So far, Eoin’s raised £960 of his £1,000 target – and we reckon he deserves every penny, plus a couple of free dentist appointments.

You can still donate to Eoin’s amazing effort HERE.