![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/world-class-djs-to-play-free-intimate-letterkenny-gig-for-cancer-research.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA Letterkenny man is bringing two of the world\u2019s leading dance music acts to his hometown for a special cancer fundraiser in one of the town’s most iconic bars.<\/p>\n
Patrick Topping and Reb\u00fcke, two of the most in-demand names in dance music and of international standing, will go back-to-back in the iconic surrounds of Blake\u2019s Bar for the Irish Cancer Society on Saturday, August 1.<\/p>\n
Mike Toner, originally from Middle Road, Ballyraine in Letterkenny, is based in Melbourne, Australia, where he works as a music promoter and has also done incredible work for charity. He is also a cousin of international DJ and tech house heavyweight Reuben Keeney, aka Reb\u00fcke, who is also from Letterkenny.<\/p>\n
So Mike and Reuben are combining their connections in the music industry to take the charitable work closer to home.<\/p>\n
The pop-up gig was inspired by Mike’s sister, Louise, a married 45-year-old mother-of-three who lives in Letterkenny.<\/p>\n
Louise was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which has spread to her bones and spine.<\/p>\n
Down the years, Louise has also done incredible work for charity events, most notably the annual Christmas jumper party in the Swilly Inn in Letterkenny.<\/p>\n
\u201cLouise\u2019s current treatment in Galway is keeping her well and only became available in Ireland in the last four years, and it exists for one reason: because the research, funding and resources were there to bring it to market,\u201d Mike said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout that, it simply wouldn’t be here, and neither would the extra time it’s given her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike moved to Australia as a backpacker in his mid-twenties and has since built a massive legacy.<\/p>\n
He is the founder and director of Thick as Thieves, one of Melbourne\u2019s premier electronic music touring and events agencies. The agency is famous for bringing major international underground DJs to Australia and hosting iconic events, notably at the legendary Melbourne venue Revolver.<\/p>\n
Mike has combined his passion for music events with incredible physical challenges to raise over $2.5 million (AUD) for the Fred Hollows Foundation, an international charity dedicated to treating and preventing avoidable blindness. His fundraising directly funds eye surgeries that restore sight to thousands of people in developing countries.<\/p>\n
Mike ran a full 42 km marathon entirely blindfolded to raise awareness for the visually impaired, raising over $620,000 in a single event. The 100km Ultra-Marathon: He completed a gruelling, non-stop 100-kilometre jog as part of his Quick as Thieves campaign, which raised over $800,000 for the charity.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Patrick Topping is a highly influential English DJ, electronic music producer, and record label owner.<\/p>\n
He is recognised as one of the defining faces of modern British house and tech-house music, while for Reb\u00fcke, it is a homecoming \u2014 Letterkenny is where he is from and where he still lives, which makes this night all the more special.<\/p>\n
Keeney is an acclaimed Irish electronic music DJ, producer, and record label owner.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Emerging from the underground Irish music scene, he has become one of the industry’s most prominent figures by bridging techno, house, and early 1990s rave culture. Support on the night comes from Mode\u0101 B2B 666CMG.<\/p>\n Together, they are also celebrating the release of their new collaborative track, \u2018People Dancing\u2019, at the one-off gig, although that\u2019s only a fraction of what\u2019s taking place on the night.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth are giving their time for free, for one reason: to raise as much money as we possibly can for cancer research in Ireland, in aid of Irish Cancer Society,\u201d Mike, who is both Patrick Topping and Reb\u00fcke\u2019s Australian agent, says.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s what this night is about. Every euro raised goes towards the research that turns \u2018there’s nothing more we can do\u2019 into \u2018there’s a new treatment.\u2019 It’s the difference between hope and no hope.\u201d<\/p>\n Purple Wall, a premier boutique, international artist and music management company based in London, and Thick as Thieves go back a long way.<\/p>\n \u201cOur first charity show together was a Claptone benefit in 2014, and we haven’t stopped since,\u201d Mike adds. \u201cPatrick and Reb\u00fcke have both stood on stage for us at charity events across Australia more times than I can count, and every single time they’ve helped raise a serious amount for causes that matter.<\/p>\n \u201cFor years, we said that whenever we were all back in Ireland at the same time, we would love to do something here. This is that something: bringing the two of them together for a special back-to-back at Blakes, in Reuben and my hometown of Letterkenny, and putting every bit of it towards the fight against cancer in Ireland. A lot of people who care.\u201d<\/p>\n There is a sign-up campaign for tickets (click here<\/a>) and anyone who is given a ticket is invited to donate to the Irish Cancer Society.<\/p>\n Mike explains: \u201cThere is no ticket to buy \u2014 instead, everyone who comes through the door is asked to donate, with every euro going straight to the cause. Give what you can, and a little more if you are able.<\/p>\n “Come for two world-class artists in a room you’ll never forget \u2014 and know that just by being there, you’re part of something that matters.<\/p>\n![\"Timber](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/timber-exports-resume-from-killybegs-harbour.jpg\")
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