So, I haven't blogged here in a while. Time to fix that, with a review of all the gigs I've been to since Sun Kil Moon in August... Could take a while. Remember, what this lacks in quality, I make up for with quantity.
Ebo in Whelans
Deadly gig as always with the Ebo crowd. They'd a few new songs which pleased the crowd myself included. Support was from Hotrock Spacebar and I-Phoenix, who were quite good.
Elbow in The Ambassador
I went partly because I wanted to see the amazing band that is Elbow, but also that I wanted to get in as many gigs in The Ambassador before it closed down. I'll miss that venue. Terrible sound, but I'll always love the place. Elbow were mindblowingly good. The highlight of the set being
Leaders Of The Free World. Interestingly, the bassist had to play the set sitting down having tried to kick down a door in the hotel they were staying the night before, just one of many of Guy's funny stories. He had a great rapport with the crowd as well. He's one of the best front men around these days.
Seasick Steve in The National Stadium
Moved from the Museum of Modern Art at the last minute. It was a really great set, very good crowd with Steve bantering back and forth with the peeps in the front. Support was from Amy LaVere. We also got free tickets to see Lambchop that night at the gig, so it was quite good. Was also the night of my 21st birthday. What a way to spend it. A night I'll never forget.
Flogging Molly in the Ambassador
Back to the Ambassador again, this time for the Easkpak Antidote Tour. American Corporate sponsored rock. Support came in the form of Sound Of Fury (Not so good), and Skindread (A little better). Floggin Molly destroyed the support and played one hell of a set. There was a sense that every time the come to Dublin, they feel have to play their best since it is their home of sorts. I was right up the front, absolutely amazing.
Airbourne in the Ambassador
One final gig in the Ambassador. Missed them in Whelans a few months before so this time I was right up the front. Stone Gods were much better than I expected. Much better than their former incarnation, The Darkness. Airbourne played a kickass set. Loudest gig I've ever been to. My ears were ringing for a week afterwards. The pretty much played the album, but with so much energy you couldn't help but sing along and jump up and down. Can't wait till the get back
The Future of the Left, Upstairs in Whelans
The indiest venue in Dublin was host to Welsh Noise Rock band as part of the Heineken Green Synergy Festival. Upstairs, in a small stage, in the corner these guys were quite good. Watched from the back with a few pints, me and Berkoich, Carrie and indie awesome friend Connor had a great night. Bought the CD and a t-shirt (which is now one of my favorites) off the band for a nice €20. I'd well go see them again if they're in town. Support was by So Cow who were quite good, well worth further investigation.
The Presets in The Village
It's nice to be at a gig in The Village again. It's a nice place. le galaxie were deadly, possibly the best choice to support. The Presets played a great set, playing most of their two albums. Watched it from the back, wish I had been up from but I was pretty wrecked since I came straight from work. Next time, I'll be front row centre.
The Hedge Schools, Upstairs in Whelans
Back to the inidiest venue in town. The Hedge Schools played an amazing set. Such soulful music, sung so softly at stages that the entire venue was silent except for Pat singing. If you haven't already, get the album. Got Pat to sign a poster as well
Felix Cartel in The Button Factory
After The Hedge School's set, my friend Craig said he had a spare tickets to see him play, and his set wasn't starting until about half 11. So why not I thought. The place was packed, apparently this was the gig to be at that night. Great atmosphere, great music, great people. I had a great night. Best dance gig I've been to so far.
Boys Noize in Spy
Spy, effectively one big house party. I was right by the DJ booth for most of it. By far the sweatiest gig I've ever been to. I got out physically soaking wet. Drinks were a wee bit expensive, but it was well worth it. The atmosphere in the place was electric, just like one big party. Made me a fan of his music, and of Spy.
Erol Alkan at Andrew's Lane Theatre
Andrew's Lane isn't a place for a proper gig really. There was no atmosphere in the place, despite there being a queue to get in and the gig being sold out. Wasn't really feeling his music either that night, despite having liked what I heard on his interweb page. I'd go again when he comes back, so long as it's not in Andrew's Lane.
Liam Finn in Whelans
Perfect timing. Walked into the venue just as Liam was finishing his sound check. It was a great gig. EJ and Liam were playing a blinder. He managed to work drum loops into his performance this time, which was very interesting to see live, along with the rest of his performance. Even got talking to the man afterwards, he signed his drum stick for me, and I got a cool photo with him too. Can't wait for him to come back, he's certainly something to see live.
Duke Special, Upstairs in Whelans
I couldn't make Josh Ritter who was playing Vicar Street that night since I couldn't get out of work. After work, a very brief phone call along the lines of "We're in Whelans, come on over." and I was on my way. When I got there, I was chatting with the bouncer on the door and he mentioned that Duke Special was playing an impromptu gig for charity upstairs at half 11. So, to a room of about 30 people, the Duke played some songs. Some of his own, some covers, even an old drinking song which he thought the crowd how to sing along to all the while imploring us to donate some money to charity (the name of which escapes me at the moment). A great little diversion for 45 minutes, and I'll have to go see him play proper some time. My friend Dave even bought the man a pint. By far the most intimate gig I've been to, and possibly the nicest too.
Well, that's three months worth of gigs... Let's see if the next three will be as good.
Ebo in Whelans
Deadly gig as always with the Ebo crowd. They'd a few new songs which pleased the crowd myself included. Support was from Hotrock Spacebar and I-Phoenix, who were quite good.
Elbow in The Ambassador
I went partly because I wanted to see the amazing band that is Elbow, but also that I wanted to get in as many gigs in The Ambassador before it closed down. I'll miss that venue. Terrible sound, but I'll always love the place. Elbow were mindblowingly good. The highlight of the set being
Leaders Of The Free World. Interestingly, the bassist had to play the set sitting down having tried to kick down a door in the hotel they were staying the night before, just one of many of Guy's funny stories. He had a great rapport with the crowd as well. He's one of the best front men around these days.Seasick Steve in The National Stadium
Moved from the Museum of Modern Art at the last minute. It was a really great set, very good crowd with Steve bantering back and forth with the peeps in the front. Support was from Amy LaVere. We also got free tickets to see Lambchop that night at the gig, so it was quite good. Was also the night of my 21st birthday. What a way to spend it. A night I'll never forget.
Flogging Molly in the Ambassador
Back to the Ambassador again, this time for the Easkpak Antidote Tour. American Corporate sponsored rock. Support came in the form of Sound Of Fury (Not so good), and Skindread (A little better). Floggin Molly destroyed the support and played one hell of a set. There was a sense that every time the come to Dublin, they feel have to play their best since it is their home of sorts. I was right up the front, absolutely amazing.
Airbourne in the Ambassador
One final gig in the Ambassador. Missed them in Whelans a few months before so this time I was right up the front. Stone Gods were much better than I expected. Much better than their former incarnation, The Darkness. Airbourne played a kickass set. Loudest gig I've ever been to. My ears were ringing for a week afterwards. The pretty much played the album, but with so much energy you couldn't help but sing along and jump up and down. Can't wait till the get back
The Future of the Left, Upstairs in Whelans
The indiest venue in Dublin was host to Welsh Noise Rock band as part of the Heineken Green Synergy Festival. Upstairs, in a small stage, in the corner these guys were quite good. Watched from the back with a few pints, me and Berkoich, Carrie and indie awesome friend Connor had a great night. Bought the CD and a t-shirt (which is now one of my favorites) off the band for a nice €20. I'd well go see them again if they're in town. Support was by So Cow who were quite good, well worth further investigation.
The Presets in The Village
It's nice to be at a gig in The Village again. It's a nice place. le galaxie were deadly, possibly the best choice to support. The Presets played a great set, playing most of their two albums. Watched it from the back, wish I had been up from but I was pretty wrecked since I came straight from work. Next time, I'll be front row centre.
The Hedge Schools, Upstairs in Whelans
Back to the inidiest venue in town. The Hedge Schools played an amazing set. Such soulful music, sung so softly at stages that the entire venue was silent except for Pat singing. If you haven't already, get the album. Got Pat to sign a poster as well
Felix Cartel in The Button Factory
After The Hedge School's set, my friend Craig said he had a spare tickets to see him play, and his set wasn't starting until about half 11. So why not I thought. The place was packed, apparently this was the gig to be at that night. Great atmosphere, great music, great people. I had a great night. Best dance gig I've been to so far.
Boys Noize in Spy
Spy, effectively one big house party. I was right by the DJ booth for most of it. By far the sweatiest gig I've ever been to. I got out physically soaking wet. Drinks were a wee bit expensive, but it was well worth it. The atmosphere in the place was electric, just like one big party. Made me a fan of his music, and of Spy.
Erol Alkan at Andrew's Lane Theatre
Andrew's Lane isn't a place for a proper gig really. There was no atmosphere in the place, despite there being a queue to get in and the gig being sold out. Wasn't really feeling his music either that night, despite having liked what I heard on his interweb page. I'd go again when he comes back, so long as it's not in Andrew's Lane.
Liam Finn in Whelans
Perfect timing. Walked into the venue just as Liam was finishing his sound check. It was a great gig. EJ and Liam were playing a blinder. He managed to work drum loops into his performance this time, which was very interesting to see live, along with the rest of his performance. Even got talking to the man afterwards, he signed his drum stick for me, and I got a cool photo with him too. Can't wait for him to come back, he's certainly something to see live.
Duke Special, Upstairs in Whelans
I couldn't make Josh Ritter who was playing Vicar Street that night since I couldn't get out of work. After work, a very brief phone call along the lines of "We're in Whelans, come on over." and I was on my way. When I got there, I was chatting with the bouncer on the door and he mentioned that Duke Special was playing an impromptu gig for charity upstairs at half 11. So, to a room of about 30 people, the Duke played some songs. Some of his own, some covers, even an old drinking song which he thought the crowd how to sing along to all the while imploring us to donate some money to charity (the name of which escapes me at the moment). A great little diversion for 45 minutes, and I'll have to go see him play proper some time. My friend Dave even bought the man a pint. By far the most intimate gig I've been to, and possibly the nicest too.
Well, that's three months worth of gigs... Let's see if the next three will be as good.
