IrishMJ

Another weekend, another gig.  This time it was Counting Crows in the 3 Arena, or as I prefer to call it, The Point Depot. The last time I saw  Counting Crows live was back at Oxegen 2008. That seems like a lifetime ago.  Anyway, I was offered a free ticket to the gig, so it would have been rude of me not to go. Also on the line-up for the night were The White Buffalo , who were new to me and Alison Krauss , who needs absolutely no introduction.  So, first up was The White Buffalo , certainly a country act, but with a mighty fine rock edge.  I really enjoyed his set and given the chance, would love to see him play in a smaller, sweatier setting where I think he’d be amazing! I can’t recommend this guy enough! Next up on Saturday night was Alison Krauss .  She certainly needs no introduction and is one of country music’s megastars! I have to be honest here though, whilst she sounds incredible live (what a voice), it’s just not my cup of tea....

I go to see U2 every time they tour. Since 1987, I’ve only missed one tour and that was the Lovetown Tour, I couldn’t get a ticket for love nor money! Anyway, this time it was the eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour and the chosen venue was the O2 Arena in London. After having toured last year with The Joshua Tree, it was no surprise that it was left off the setlist for this tour. Surprisingly though, there were 6 songs for Achtung Baby and I finally got to hear Acrobat live.  What a song that is! Check out the setlist below courtesy of U2 Gigs . Setlist: The Blackout Lights Of Home I Will Follow Gloria / Patti Smith's Gloria (snippet) Beautiful Day Zoo Station The Fly Stay (Faraway, So Close!) Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (Intermission - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me) Elevation Daddy's Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car (snippet) / Vertigo Even Better Than The Real Thing Hall of Mirrors (snippet) / Acrobat The Showman (Little More Better) (snippet...

I like Punk… The Dead Kennedys, Stiff Little Fingers, The Clash,Me First and the Gimme Gimmes…  It’s not an exhaustive list, but there you go… Anyway, an old friend of mine was in town with his band.  Called Bolanow Brawl , they hail from Hamburg Germany and they like to rock, oh and they like to party too!  Check them out, it’s good stuff and I’m not just saying that because I know one of them! The only other band I got to see were Dublin based punk rockers, The Nilz .  I’m not exactly sure how to describe them… Sure, they rock and put on a great show.  But… Well the drummer wears a gimp mask, guitarist wears a gas mask, the bass player a sailor hat and the front man… Well he wears a dildo and a firework in his arse cheeks. Even if you don’t like the music (I did), the show is worth seeing just for the power and energy!  You really should check them out. There were other bands on, some of which I saw, some I didn’t, but over all, it was a great ...

I go to see King Kong Company a lot… And I mean A LOT!  7 or 8 times in the last 3 years.  Why?  Well they just put on an amazing live show and you never leave a gig thinking they could have done more! So, when I heard they were playing the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, I just had to be there! Also playing on the bill were Prymary Colours . I’d not seen them live before, but I follow them on Instagram and was looking forward to their brand of dance music.  They put on a great, high energy show and it was the perfect opener to a fun night! Prymary Colours are my new favourite party band! Next up on the night were Dublin Hip Hop / Rappers  Mango X Mathman . Now, I’m not a keen follower of the Irish Hip Hop scene, I can name only one other action and that’s This Side Up, so I had no idea what to expect. Front man Mango is one hell of an energetic fecker! He doesn’t stop moving, spitting rhymes while he jumps around the stage.  Behind him on the decks was M...

So the first ever Skylarks Music Club event was a sell out…  Ross Breen , Farah Elle and Cathy Davey all played to a packed out McAuley Place in Naas. And what a night it was.  I’d never heard of Ross Breen, but really enjoyed his set.  So much so that I came away with a couple of CDs and a 7” vinyl! If you get the chance, check him out, really really good set. Next up on the night was the incredible Farah Elle. Her music is heavily influenced by her Libyan backround, her voice soars and sways in the air, it’s a thing of beauty. I honestly can’t say enough good things about Farah Elle, but again, just go see her play and make up your own mind! Headliner on the night was the fantastic Cathy Davey.  I was lucky enough to be at the live recording of her latest album 'Live At Dublin Unitarian Church' earlier this year, so when I heard she would be in Naas, sure I just had to go! For the Skylark set, Cathy performed an exclusive set of Phil Spector songs. ...

I headed along to Ranelagh Arts Centre last night for the first time ever for Scene of the Rhyme. SOTR is a night of poetry, song and comedy normally based out of Offaly, but for one night only, it was part of the Ranelagh Arts Festival. Poetry on the night was from the MC Richard Brennan and Nuala Leonard .  Comedy was from David Hynes . Much as I enjoyed the poetry and comedy, I was there for the music.  First up was Aleigh . I’ve seen her play many many times before, but tonight was the first time I’d seen her do an acoustic set in a long time. She played a mix of songs, some I hadn’t heard in ages, some brand new.  Really enjoyed her set. Next up was someone completely new to me, Kieran Mulvihill . Again, I really enjoyed Kierans set, good songs and really nice style of guitar playing. Kieran has an EP out called “ From The Outside Looking In ”  Check it out, give it a listen and buy it! Anyway, that was Scene of the Rhyme. Excellent night with some fantastic a...