I was in Dublin city centre this morning for the first time in 12 months. The last time I was there was to see Jane Willow perform in the Cobblestone Pub on February 29th 2020. I never, not for a moment, thought things would turn out as they did. I was looking forward to a year full of gigs and excitement. I think we all know how that turned out. After doing what I had to workwise, I took a spin around Dublin before I headed home. I drove by the aforementioned Cobblestone Pub , the Voodoo Lounge , The Grand Social , The Workmans Club , The Sugar Club and ended up outside Whelans . I've had great nights out in each of those venues and in many more around the country! Dolans of Limerick, Crane Lane Theatre and Kino in Cork, Odd Mollies in Drogheda, the Moat Theatre in Naas, the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge, the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan, Visual in Carlow... The list goes on and on. 2017 and Helmet played Whelans. There I am partying with them after the s
Christina Aguilera... I know, you're probably thinking "What is MJ doing at a Christina Aguilera gig?". Well the truth is, I'm in Vegas, she's in Vegas and, well I got a ticket for cheap, so why the hell not! Off I headed to Zappos Theater , knowing no one and unsure of what to expect. Obviously I know all her big hits, anyone who listens to the radio does, but I wouldn't class myself as a fan. I was, as I've said elsewhere, out of my comfort zone at this gig! I needn't have worried though. She came onstage a little after 9:00 PM and played for 2 hours. OK, she wasn't on stage for the full 2 hours as there were a few short breaks for costume changes, but that's only me being picky. All the hits were played and, yeah, I may have sang along to some of them. There were a few songs I didn't know, but the crowd did and they belted them out with her. Mind you, she didn't need the help, her voice is just stunning, as powerful as it