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Showing posts from October, 2019

A Love Letter to Music Venues

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
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2019-10-29 Midge Ure - Olympia Theatre Dublin

Ever since I missed out on seeing James Brown at Oxegen, I decided that anytime I have a chance to catch a legend playing, I'll take it. This means I've seen the likes of  Lionel Richie, Jimmy Somerville, Christina Aguilera, The Sugarhill Gang and many others. Not exactly my normal taste in music, but all were great gigs. Anyway, this time it was the turn of Midge Ure and he was definitely my style of music! Earlier in the summer, he'd annouced he was playing the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, so I obviously booked a ticket! On the night, he played tracks from his Visage, Ultravox and his solo careers.  All sounded brilliant live. Oh and in a class move, he started the night with a nod to Phil Lynott cover, Yellow Pearl.  You may or may not be aware, but he played with Thin Lizzy for a short spell! Check out the set list below. Yellow Pearl Visage Blocks on Blocks The Dancer In The Year 2525 Mind of a Toy Glorious Fade to Grey Astradyne New Europeans Priv
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Aleigh - Bad Things

New music today from  Aleigh . It's a slow, sultry, dark tune called Bad Things.  Perfect for Halloween week.  The folks over on Global Texan Chronicles had a some nice things to say about it! Check out the video below:
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2019-10-26 Cathy Davey - St. Davids Church Naas

Early last year, I got to see Cathy Davey perform in the Unitarian Church in Dublin.  She recorded that gig and released it as " Live at Dublin Unitarian Church ".  It was an absolutely incredible night, so when I saw she was coming to play St. Davids in Naas, well, it would have been wrong not to go! Needless to say, the gig was incredible.  Though there was one sad point.  Cathy indicated that she was stepping back from music for a while... Hopefully this is not the last we've seen of her play live! Support on the night was from the brilliant Sive , who also joined Cathy on stage at the end of the night for a number or two. Check out the photos below: Cathy Davey Sive
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2019-10-25 EllyD - Ubh Cafe Newbridge

It seems like I've seen Elly D more times this year than I have in any other year.  That's no bad thing though, she's bloody good! Anyway, tonight she's in Ubh Cafe in Newbridge playing a very intimate set.  Artists probably don't make a hell of a lot from these gigs, which is a pity, but they do create a connection with fans, something you don't get in the larger venues. If you haven't caught Elly D live yet, I can't recommend her enough.  I really like what she does. Support on the night was from Gemma Cox , a new name to me, even though we both live in the same town!  We're sure to hear a lot more about her though, stunning voice and some great songs. Check out the photos below: Elly D Add caption
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2019-10-19 Daithi - Button Factory

The last gig of the weekend was Daithi and it was also in the Button Factory , about 90 minutes after King Kong Company ! Daithi has just released his latest album. L.O.S.S. and tonight was its launch party.  It's a superb album, check it out on Spotify and then go buy a copy! Anyway, on to the gig.  I'd seen Daithi play a few times, but it's just normally himself on stage, joined every so often by a guest vocalist.  Tonight he was joined by Elaine Mai  on keys and other electronic wizardry.  He also had a drummer, whose name escapes me.  Vocals on the night came from Sinead White , Ailbhe Reddy and Tandem Felix .  It was one hell of a party! There's not many photos of the night... It was late, I was tired, I was dancing, I was... Anyway, yeah, great night! Check out the photos below:
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2019-10-19 King Kong Company - Button Factory

The next gig of the weekend was the mighty King Kong Company in the Button Factory in Dublin. I've seen King Kong Company many times by now and it's always an amazing night.  Great music, fantastic visuals and a seriously high energy performance.  If you've not checked them out yet, they come highly recommended. Support on the night was from TPM .  I'd never heard of them before, but they put on a great show.  It's Irish hip hop, a hybrid mix of comedy and serious topics.  Really enjoyed their set. Check out the photos below: King Kong Company TPM
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2019-10-18 Ultan Conlon - McAuley Place Naas

Last weekend was busy... 3 gigs, 2 nights, 5 acts and a few DJs thrown in for good luck! The first gig of the weekend was Ultan Conlon in McAuley Place in Naas. I've seen Ultan perform before and it was a great show.  Tonights affair was a much more intimate acoustic gig, but none the less, was fantastic.  I was trying to think who he reminded me of and mid gig, it came to me, Roy Orbison.  Anyway, I'd suggest you check him out live and sure give him a listen to on Spotify . Support on the night was from Fia Rua .  I'd heard of Fia Rua before, but this was the first time I'd got to see him perform.  An excellent set and I'd like to see more of him! Check out the photos below: Ultan Conlon Fia Rua
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2019-10-10 Dublin Bowie Festival - Whelans Dublin

I headed in to Whelans for the launch of the Dublin Bowie Festival 2020 during the week.  I've been aware of the festival for quite a while, but haven't attended as of yet.  So, when I was invited along to the launch, sure it would have been wrong not to attend! There's a fantastic program of events lined up for January 2020 and you can check them out on their website . the highlight for me though has to be Face To Face With The Men Who Sold The World with Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey on Sunday January 12th in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.  That should be fascinating. Anyway, on the night, I managed to catch a short set by the brilliant EllyD . If you get the chance, check her out live.  I'll be heading to see her at Ubh Cafe in Newbridge on October 25th. Check out the photos below:
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