It’s been a busy year for gigs in Ireland – from Kodaline to U2, to Electric Picnic and Body & Soul, but I’m going to say something bold… The 2FM Xmas Ball was the best concert of the year.

Not only did the gig combine Ireland’s most talented artists together in one arena, the guys from 2FM and ISPCC made the night extra special.

Here’s 10 reasons why the gig was awesome:

1. All Of The Ticket Sales Went To The ISPCC

An incredible night. 450k raised by the wonderful #2fmXmasBall all our music stars and all who bought tickets. https://t.co/XJw3n3DnpM

— ISPCC Childline (@ISPCCChildline) December 23, 2015

This is the main and most important reason this gig was amazing.

Not only did thousands and thousands of people get to hear their favourite people perform, every last cent from ticket sales went to the ISPCC and Childline.

The ISPCC tweeted the sensational news that over €450,000 was raised, and that’s all thanks to the fans and the amazing artists who played for free.  

 

2. Hozier Played His Last Gig Of 2015

 

??? @Hozier #2fmXmasBall pic.twitter.com/SPmANPYRLO — Goss.ie (@goss_ie) December 23, 2015

The one we’ve all been waiting for – big Dublin welcome for @Hozier @3arenadublin #2fmXmasBall @ISPCCChildline pic.twitter.com/ISHE3UgdAc

— Eoghan McDermott 2fm (@Eoghan2FM) December 23, 2015

Hozier fans world-wide will know he is now taking a break (no one knows for how long) and he decided to play his last gig at the 2FM Xmas Ball.

He’s played at the Grammys, partied with Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, but home is definitely where the heart is.

The last song he played was Take Me To Church…#swoon.  

 

3. The Whole Thing Was Broadcast Live On Radio

 

Wow. Gavin James. #2fmXmasBall @ISPCCChildline pic.twitter.com/hVeefrDEAL — RTÉ 2fm (@RTE2fm) December 23, 2015

Yes, that’s right! For anyone who couldn’t actually make it to the gig, you could listen to it on 2FM.

The RTE roadcaster was sitting right outside the 3Arena, with presenters Eoghan McDermott and Louise McSharry all hosting their shows before and during the gig.

Anybody that missed out on the gig could hear all the performances live.

 

4. Gavin James Serenaded Us All

.@gavinjames just got everyone to sing together with their phone lights on #magic #2FMXmasBall pic.twitter.com/PIB6exjvAc

— Goss.ie (@goss_ie) December 23, 2015

Two words… Gavin James – that is the only name you need to know for 2016, because his star is still rising and rising.

The Dublin singer had a gig in Whelans but made sure to stop by and perform to the sell-out crowd in the 3Arena.

His rendition of Bitter Pill had everyone completely silent.  

 

5. The Coronas Came Back With A Bang

 

.@TheCoronas killing it ???? #2FMXmasBall pic.twitter.com/7XJAaHbOkf — Goss.ie (@goss_ie) December 23, 2015

Danny O’Reilly and @TheCoronas know how to get a crowd going ????? #2fmXmasBall pic.twitter.com/56zgmM6odM

— Alexandra Ryan (@SweetLikeAli) December 23, 2015

They’ve been away touring for the last few months, so having The Coronas back in Dublin was a highlight.

The crowd went absolutely mental when Danny O’Reilly and co took to the stage and performed their latest hits.

Their title song from their new album The Long Way had the whole audience singing along with phone lights at floating everywhere in sync.

 

6. Hudson Taylor Proved Their The Ones To Watch

 

Thanks so much to this wonderful audience and to @ISPCCChildline & @RTE2fm #2fmXmasBall. Photo by @daramunnis pic.twitter.com/W7W0LbTQcG — Hudson Taylor (@HudsonTaylor) December 23, 2015

We’ve said before and we’ll say it again, Hudson Taylor are the next big act to come out of Ireland.

They’ve already played with Hozier and Kodaline but at the 2FM Xmas Ball they owned the stage all by themselves.

Everyone was clapping, everyone was singing along…well done lads.

 

7.Little Green Cars Gave An Emotional Tribute

We LOVE seeing @Littlegreencars live! You rocked it at the @ISPCCChildline #2fmXmasBall! pic.twitter.com/FsjmXA8eYS

— Universal Music Irl (@UniMusicIreland) December 23, 2015

We haven’t seen Little Green Cars in a while and at the 2FM Xmas Ball they returned and gave an emotional performance.

During the day a close friend of the band’s passed away and the musicians paid a special tribute to him.

It must have been so hard to play through the pain, but they sounded amazing.  

 

8. Nicky Byrne Created The Coolest Mexican Wave

 

.@NickyByrne just pulled off the best Mexican wave!! #2fmXmasBall pic.twitter.com/FUY5kGsM08 — Goss.ie (@goss_ie) December 23, 2015

Everyone was already having the time of their lives when Nicky Byrne had fun with the audience.

With everyone buzzing the 2FM host got the whole crowd doing a mega Mexican Wave.

Well played Nicky…

 

9. All Of 2FM Came Out To Play

Oh what a night! #2fmXmasBall pic.twitter.com/7XBR0krgix

— BreakfastRepublic2fm (@Republic2fm) December 23, 2015

From Eoghan McDermott to Jennifer Maguire and Bernard O’Shea – all the 2FM presenters helped out on the night.

Introducing each act on stage, the lads had fun with the audience, with Eoghan even getting everyone to scream ‘Happy Christmas’ to each other.

There was a lot of love at the gig…

 

10. Everyone Joined Together On Stage At The End

 

ALL the bands in Ireland ☘☘☘@Hozier @HudsonTaylor @TheCoronas @Littlegreencars @riptidemovement #2fmXmasBall pic.twitter.com/ysTU4GbOyG — Ríonagh (@rionagh) December 23, 2015

This picture and this caption just says it all really.

Smashing gig 2FM and congrats to the ISPCC, way to kick off the Christmas season…