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2024-12-02 Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - The Academy, Dublin

Christmas came early this year for me.  Never did I think that  Me First and the Gimme Gimmes  would be playing Dublin, and never did I ever think I'd get to shoot one of their shows! Well, that all changed last week when they played the Academy in Dublin on a cold, damp, Monday night! I've been a fan since 1997, when one of the lads I worked with, brought in a copy of Have a Ball . It was love at first listen! I did manage to catch them live back in 2019 when they played the O2 Forum in Kentish Town , London, and it was every bit as good as I'd hoped, but it paled in comparison to Monday night in Dublin. So, how did it come about?  Well, back in 2013, I interviewed the band for a now defunct Irish website called Chunk.ie .  Over the years, I've stayed on their PR roster, so I took a chance and emailed my contact there.  Lo and behold, a few emails later and all was sorted, I was down to photograph the show. How was it?  Brilliant, amazing, fantastic,...

2021-08-21 Mary Coughlan - Moat Theatre, Naas

Mary Coughlan is a bit of a legend in Ireland.  She's one of those singers that's revered by her peers.  A wonderful voice, a fantastic performer and an amazing songwriter.

With all that said and done, why did it take me a lifetime to go see her live?  I've no answer, I just don't know!

So, when her gig was announced as part of the 18 to 18 series in the Moat Theatre, Naas, I figured I just had to go, and so I did.

How was it?  Well, it was simply wonderful.  I was mesmerised by her from the off.  Her voice is so powerful and tender all at once.  At times, most notably during Magdalen Laundry, you could hear a pin drop.

The highlight of the night, for me anyway, was Whiskey Didn't Kill the Pain, it reminded me of a younger me, many years ago...

Anyway, it boils down to this.  If you haven't seen Mary play before, as soon as you get the chance, go!

Oh and lest I forget, support on the night was from Eimear Crehan, check her out!

On to the photos:





@irish_mj

The brilliant ##MaryCoughlan performing in the ##MoatTheatre ##Naas 21.08.21 ##Gigs ##LiveMusic ##IrishMusicParty ##WhiskyDidntKillThePain

♬ original sound - IrishMJ

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