If I'm being honest, I don't remember much about the 90's or early 00's. Weekends were spent partying, probably a bit too hard, but it was the Celtic Tiger era and we thought we were invincible and the party would last forever. I spent those weekendss drinking and dancing (badly) in a local club called Bauhaus. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it, at the time it was great, the next morning though... Champagne, drank by the neck, was the drink of choice and yes, it was as obnoxious as it sounds. Late 2002, the party came to an end for me, I just stopped and I haven't touched a drop since. Whilst I've always been a rocker at heart, I can't help myself when I hear a good dance tune. After all, a good tune is a good tune, regardless of genre! Most of the acts performing today were from that era of my life, a time when Music TV still existed and an appearance on TOTP could make you a star. So, with that in mind, I headed out to the Biggest Disc
A few months back, a friend mentioned a gig that was taking place in Whelans in September. Glen Hansard, David Keenan, Mark Geary and a few others were all due to play. It sounded like a good night out and hey, it was in aid of a charity, so I just had to go!
Turns out that the charity in question was Aidlink. So who are they? Well, Aidlink are an Irish NGO working with communities in Kenya, Ghana & Uganda to deliver basic needs such as water, education, healthcare and promoting & protecting Girls' Rights. That’s a very worthy cause so go check out their website.
OK, that’s the reason we were all there out of the way, so who played you’re probably wondering. Well lots, lots of artists played! I don’t have photos of everyone unfortunately, fun got in the way of taking photos at times!
Check out the photos below:
Turns out that the charity in question was Aidlink. So who are they? Well, Aidlink are an Irish NGO working with communities in Kenya, Ghana & Uganda to deliver basic needs such as water, education, healthcare and promoting & protecting Girls' Rights. That’s a very worthy cause so go check out their website.
OK, that’s the reason we were all there out of the way, so who played you’re probably wondering. Well lots, lots of artists played! I don’t have photos of everyone unfortunately, fun got in the way of taking photos at times!
The main gig was downstairs in Whelans, each artist played 2 or 3 songs and things moved along nicely. I also caught a few acts live that I'd never seen before such as Ailbhe Reddy, Ruth Mac, Junior Brother and Larry Beau. It's aleays great to be introduced to new music!
Mind you, it wasn't all music. The rather brilliant Natalya O'Flaherty performed some of her own poetry and you couldn't help but be moved by it. Amazing stuff.
But like all good things, the night had to come to an end. Well... A few of the artists and some of the punters retired to the smaller upstairs venue where the party continued in earnest!
Mundy, Steve Wall, Sample Answer and Jane Willow all got up to play a few more tunes and kept the party alive till the very early hours. Rumour has it that there is a photo of me on stage with all those legends. I say rumour... The photo is actually sitting in a frame in my house!
It would be amazing if the “Hey Troubadour” gig was to become and annual event, showcasing the best and brightest of the new school with the elder states folk of the Irish music scene. Here’s hoping that Born Optimistic will make it happen!
Mind you, it wasn't all music. The rather brilliant Natalya O'Flaherty performed some of her own poetry and you couldn't help but be moved by it. Amazing stuff.
But like all good things, the night had to come to an end. Well... A few of the artists and some of the punters retired to the smaller upstairs venue where the party continued in earnest!
Mundy, Steve Wall, Sample Answer and Jane Willow all got up to play a few more tunes and kept the party alive till the very early hours. Rumour has it that there is a photo of me on stage with all those legends. I say rumour... The photo is actually sitting in a frame in my house!
It would be amazing if the “Hey Troubadour” gig was to become and annual event, showcasing the best and brightest of the new school with the elder states folk of the Irish music scene. Here’s hoping that Born Optimistic will make it happen!
Check out the photos below:
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| Steve Wall |
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| Ruth Mac |
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| Glen Hansard |
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| Sample Answer |
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| Ailbhe Reddy |
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| Junior Brother |
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| David Keenan |
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| Mark Geary |
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| Mundy |
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| Steve Wall |
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| Sample Answer |
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| Jane Willow |