Phoebe Bridgers Lost Weekend: Planetarium album experience comes to Armagh

What's it like to hear an unreleased album in a planetarium? The Armagh Planetarium and Grammy Award-winning artist Phoebe Bridgers collaborated to present the Lost Weekend Planetarium show, a unique audio-visual experience combining National Geographic night-sky photography with Bridgers' new album. This event, exclusive to 35 countries and only two UK venues (Glasgow and Armagh), features attendees placing phones in a magnetized pouch during the show. Four sold-out showings were held in Armagh on Tuesday, with more on Thursday. Cathleen, an Armagh native and Bridgers fan, expressed delight at her hometown being featured. She noted the event’s novelty in showcasing Armagh alongside global cities like New Zealand and Canada. Bridgers’ music resonates with attendees, who relate to her themes of personal experiences and emotional depth. For example, Abbie and Scott from County Waterford, who traveled for three-and-a-half hours, found Bridgers’ lyrics relatable and her songwriting impressive. Tara and Emma also attended, appreciating how the album’s lyrics mirrored their own life stages. Friends Emma, Bec, and Arron enjoyed the immersive experience, appreciating the absence of distractions like phones. Heather Alexander from the Armagh Planetarium highlighted the unprecedented demand for the show, with attendees eager to experience the collaboration. The album’s themes, including references to Bridgers’ engagement and eventual break-up with Irish actor Paul Mescal, and its dedication to her father, were noted by fans like Kev, who found the blend of human and spacey elements compelling. Sisters Eibhlin and Emma described the experience as 'amazing,' with visuals complementing the music seamlessly. While initial impressions were positive, they awaited further listening to fully appreciate the album’s depth.